Navigating the Rapids: An In-Depth Exploration of the Reliable and Understandable Raft Consensus Algorithm

Abstract

Centralization played a significant role in the last few decades. In this, a single entity or authority controls, manages and makes decisions for all machines' states. Distributed computing systems underlie most of our daily computing experiences. In recent years, blockchain technology has been widely used because it provides secure and transparent data storage and transmission. An essential part of blockchain technology is the use of consensus algorithms that allow nodes distributed in the network to agree on the state of the blockchain. The Raft consensus algorithm has become a robust and understandable solution for distributed systems. This paper delves into the intricacies of Raft, dissecting its core components and mechanisms. Our exploration encompasses the leader election process, log replication, and fault tolerance. The work emphasizes the algorithm's reliability and ease of understanding, making it an attractive choice for practitioners and researchers.