Operating Systems - Semaphore vs Mutex - When to Use Which
In a distributed system where multiple processes on different machines need mutual exclusion over a shared resource, which synchronization primitive is most appropriate and why?
In a distributed system where multiple processes on different machines need mutual exclusion over a shared resource, which synchronization primitive is most appropriate and why?
medium🧠 Conceptual Q6 of Q15
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:
Step 1: Identify distributed mutual exclusion need
Processes on different machines require coordination.Step 2: Choose synchronization primitive
Distributed mutex using consensus (e.g., Paxos, Raft) ensures mutual exclusion across machines.Final Answer:
Option B -> Option BQuick Check:
Distributed mutex handles cross-machine exclusion [OK]
Quick Trick: Distributed mutex uses consensus for cross-machine locking [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES- Using local mutex which doesn't coordinate across machines
- Counting semaphore on one machine doesn't cover all
- Binary semaphore without network coordination fails
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL- Local primitives don't provide distributed mutual exclusion
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT- Tests understanding of synchronization in distributed systems
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