Not Everything is a Distributed Systems Pattern — Here’s What Actually Is
I see Sidecar and Circuit Breaker misclassified all the time. Let’s set the record straight
I keep bumping into posts on public forums where someone calls Circuit Breaker or Sidecar a “distributed system pattern.” I understand the confusion — I’ve been there myself. Patterns like Ambassador, Bulkhead, or Cache-Aside are often critical in microservices-based architectures, but they aren’t quite the same as distributed systems patterns.
1. Replication
Replication covers how data is copied and kept consistent across nodes to ensure fault tolerance and durability.
2. Partitioning
Partitioning is about splitting data across multiple nodes so no single machine gets overloaded.
3. Coordination
Coordination ensures that distributed nodes agree on decisions and act in a synchronized way.
4. Distributed Time
Keeping time synchronized across a distributed system is hard because different machines have different clocks.
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5. Cluster Management
Cluster management ensures nodes know who is online, who is offline, and who is in charge.
6. Nodes Communications
Nodes need efficient ways to talk to each other.
So, Why Aren’t Circuit Breaker or Sidecar “Distributed Patterns”?
Every time I explore these patterns, I’m reminded that distributed systems have different challenges than microservices.
Yes, a Sidecar helps standardize logging or networking, and Circuit Breakers prevent cascading failures. But they don’t help coordinate data across nodes or elect leaders in a cluster.
For example, replication answers “Which node should I send the write to?” or “How do I ensure my data is durable?”. That’s where Write-Ahead Log and Replicated Log come into play. Meanwhile, Consensus (under Coordination) helps elect a leader or decide which node’s data is the source of truth.
The Right Tool for the Right Job
Once people see the difference, they reach for the right tool:
I’m always happy when someone asks, “But why can’t I call Ambassador a distributed systems pattern?” because it means they’re curious about the bigger picture.
If you’ve ever wondered the same, I hope this guide gives you a clearer map!