Data Consistency

Data consistency refers to the accuracy and reliability of data across multiple locations or systems. In the context of a global file system, it ensures that all users of a file are presented with the same version of the file — incorporating the most recent changes — all of the time.

There are different levels of data consistency, ranging from strong to weak:

• Strong consistency: Guarantees that all file reads reflect the most recent file write operation. This is the highest level of consistency but is generally considered to be challenging to achieve in distributed systems. Panzura CloudFS is unique in achieving immediate global data consistency across all locations.
• Weak consistency: Allows for temporary inconsistencies between replicas of data. This level of consistency is often used in systems that prioritize availability and performance over strict consistency.
• Eventual consistency: Eventually, all replicas will have the same data, but there's no guaranteed timeframe for when this will happen. Systems that sync data sequentially location by location achieve eventual data consistency.