ring election algorithm - TarisMajor/5143-OpSystems GitHub Wiki

Ring Election Algorithm

The Ring Election Algorithm is another leader election algorithm used in distributed systems. Unlike the Bully algorithm, the Ring Election Algorithm organizes processes in a logical ring and passes election messages around the ring until the leader is determined.

Description:

Each process is assigned a unique identifier (ID). The processes are logically arranged in a ring. When a process notices a failure or needs to elect a new leader, it sends an election message to the next process in the ring. Each process compares the ID in the election message with its own. If it has a higher ID, it sends the message forward with its ID appended; if it has a lower ID, it passes the message along unchanged. The process with the highest ID becomes the leader.

Key Points:

Uses a logical ring topology to pass election messages. The process with the highest ID is elected as the leader. Provides fault tolerance: When a process fails, the remaining processes continue the election process.

Source: Ring, M. (1979). "The Ring Election Algorithm". IEEE Transactions on Computers.