Using MySQL, is it possible to set up a distributed database wherein it mattereth not which node is updated?
From reading the docs, I gather that typical MySQL replication is pretty much a one-way road. Updates to the master are propagated to the slaves. Simple enough... but what if I can't get to the master and I have to update a slave instead... is there a process to get those updates rolled back into the master?
A more concrete example: Let's say I have opened a chain of burger joints. Each burger joint needs to know how many ketchup packets they have on hand. As ketchup packets are distributed to customers, the burger joint updates its records to reflect the decrease in ketchup stock. Now, let's say that each of your locations would like to know how much ketchup is left at the other locations. This would be useful when a particular location runs low - it can simply request some from a location with plenty. This seems like a perfect spot to stick a centralized server that keeps track of all the inventory for everyone.
But what happens if the network connection to a particular location goes down?
That location can no longer update the stock levels on the main server... pandemonium!
Ideally, here is the sort of solution I am looking for: To service customer requests, I MUST have access to a data store that has information about other points of sale in my business. I cannot guarantee that I will always have a good connection to each of the points of sale. I would like to have a "master" centralized data store that all locations use by default. If a network connection dies, I would like that location to have a local copy of the master that is as up to date as possible. As soon as the connection is restored, I'd like to have any transactions that were recorded on the local copy pushed back to the master, so the other points of sale can become aware of the data changes.
Suggestions? Can MySQL even do this?
Thanks!
-- Kimball
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