Systems-At-Scale

Scalable Systems Reference Guide

Scalable systems are designed to handle an increasing amount of work by adding resources to the system. Below is a collection of key concepts and methodologies essential for designing and understanding scalable systems.

Table of Contents

  1. Load Balancing
  2. Distributed Databases
  3. Distributed Messaging
  4. Caching Strategies
  5. Fault Tolerance
  6. Monitoring and Logging

Load Balancing

Load balancing distributes network or application traffic across multiple servers, ensuring that no single server bears too much demand.

Distributed Databases

Distributed databases spread data across multiple physical locations. They are designed to improve performance, availability, and fault tolerance.

Distributed Messaging

Distributed messaging systems facilitate communication between different parts of a scalable system, ensuring high throughput and fault tolerance.

Caching Strategies

Caching improves system performance by storing instances of data in high-speed storage areas.

Fault Tolerance

Fault tolerance ensures that a system continues to operate even if some components fail.

Monitoring and Logging

Effective monitoring and logging provide insights into system performance, security, and user behavior.


Note: This guide is meant as an overview and starting point. Further reading and hands-on practice are encouraged for a deeper understanding of these concepts.