Year: 2023
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: We present two abstractions for designing modular state machine replication (SMR) protocols: trees and turtles. A tree captures the set of possible state machine histories, while a turtle represents a subprotocol that tries to find agreement in this tree. We showcase the applicability of these abstractions by constructing crash-tolerant SMR protocols out of abstract tree turtles and providing examples of tree turtle implementations. The modularity of tree turtles allows a generic approach for adding a leader for liveness. We expect that these abstractions will simplify reasoning and formal verification of SMR protocols as well as facilitate innovation in protocol designs.
Authors: Natalie Neamtu, Haobin Ni, Robbert Van Renesse
Institutions: Microsoft (United States), Cornell University
Language: English
Subfield: Computer Networks and Communications
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4367674990