etcd: The Cluster Maestro
etcd: the 20 MB key-value store that keeps Kubernetes—and every cloud-native cluster—consistent, highly available and fast.
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In the world of distributed systems, if we compare Kubernetes to an operating system, then etcd is the super filing cabinet that holds all the secrets—it not only preserves the entire cluster’s “brain memory” but also maintains absolute clarity amidst node chaos. This key-value storage system, created by the CoreOS team and now a CNCF graduated project, is quietly supporting countless critical business operations worldwide.
In the field of distributed systems, etcd solves the most fundamental challenge: providing reliable consistency in unreliable networks. Based on the Raft consensus algorithm, it ensures that even when some nodes fail, the cluster can still operate safely. When Kubernetes needs to know Pod status, service discovery needs to record endpoints, or distributed locks need coordination, etcd works silently behind the scenes.