The Howdy Glossary

Galera Cluster is a synchronous multi-master database cluster technology for MariaDB and MySQL that ensures real-time consistency among nodes using certification-based replication. This allows simultaneous write operations on multiple nodes without data conflicts, providing an active-active configuration that instantly propagates updates across all nodes. By eliminating issues common in asynchronous replication like lagging replicas and data discrepancies during failovers, Galera Cluster becomes valuable for high-availability and scalable environments ideal for web applications and mission-critical systems requiring fault tolerance against server failures.

Developed by Codership, an open-source software firm specializing in high-availability solutions, Galera Cluster was created to enhance database performance, reliability, and consistency for MySQL and MariaDB users. Its unique features include synchronous multi-master clustering that supports real-time data synchronization between cluster nodes through certification-based replication. This capability enables multiple nodes to handle concurrent write operations without risking conflicting data changes while ensuring instant update propagation across the entire cluster. Consequently, Galera Cluster addresses limitations of traditional asynchronous replication systems such as lagged replication and data divergence during failovers.

Facing competition from solutions like Percona XtraDB Cluster and PostgreSQL's streaming replication, Galera Cluster distinguishes itself with its synchronous multi-master capabilities and certification-based replication process. These features ensure real-time consistency among all cluster nodes by allowing active-active configurations where multiple nodes can handle write operations simultaneously without conflicts. The system's immediate update propagation enhances reliability, fault tolerance, and scalability in demanding environments like heavily trafficked web applications or mission-critical enterprise systems. Thus, Galera Cluster stands out as a preferred choice for ensuring consistency and operational continuity in distributed database landscapes requiring high availability.