PAXOS VISUALIZATION

George, Zachary

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124772 Copy

Description

Title

PAXOS VISUALIZATION

Author(s)

George, Zachary

Issue Date

2023-12-02

Keyword(s)

Paxos algorithm, consensus protocols, distributed systems, visualization tools, JavaScript simulation, CodePen, embedded systems, fault tolerance, distributed computing

Abstract

This project began with developing JavaScript through Code Pen where I implemented Proposer, acceptor, and learner nodes to show the simulation needed to achieve consensus on a network. The project went through possibilities that would occur on a real network and can be controlled by the user to stop or start sending packets. The project had numerous challenges including simulating the various components, like Prepare message, proposal numbers being greater than, and then showing the reupdating of all the learner nodes. Furthermore, it faces the challenge of converting into an embedded controller with a touch display. Despite these challenges, the project is successful in creating a visualization tool to help demystify the Paxos algorithm and making it easier to understand. On the positive side, the visualization is great for producing various Paxos conditions, however on the negative side, it shows that because the Paxos algorithm is complex, not all possibilities that may be occurring on a network can be shown, yet the main idea is conceptualized. The lessons learned are the importance of rigorous testing and debugging when programming and converting into an embedded system, as otherwise numerous bugs and issues would result. However, it helps show the value of visualization tools to allow students to understand complex algorithms to be more accessible and understandable through a practical simulation.

Type of Resource

text

Language

eng

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