Time synchronization

[wongak]

The current architecture with nanosecond timestamps requires a time synchronization method in distributed environments.

A possible solution would be:

• implementing a consensus algorithm between the nodes
• have one instance provide the reference timestamp for the cluster
• wrap the time package with an implementation which returns the reference time instead of the system time

[wongak]

An alternative would be to use the database time functions as a central time source.

There are other problems to consider then:

• Is the resolution high enough?
• How are clustered databases handling time functions?
• Are adequate time functions available in all RDBMS?

[wongak]

Document the requirement of time synchronization across all application servers. Ideally in the milliseconds area.