Which replication mode minimizes data loss but may add latency?

Which replication mode minimizes data loss but may add latency?

• A. Synchronous
• B. Asynchronous
• C. Semi-synchronous
• D. Hybrid

Answer: (A)

When you want to minimize data loss, you choose a replication mode that ensures a write is replicated before the operation is considered complete. Synchronous replication does exactly this: the primary waits for the destination to confirm the write, so no data is lost if the primary fails. However, that guarantee comes with added latency because the write cannot finish until the replication round-trip succeeds. In contrast, asynchronous replication speeds things up by not waiting for replication, which opens a window for potential data loss. Semi-synchronous and hybrid offer different trade-offs between risk and delay, but they don’t provide the zero-data-loss guarantee of synchronous replication.

When you want to minimize data loss, you choose a replication mode that ensures a write is replicated before the operation is considered complete. Synchronous replication does exactly this: the primary waits for the destination to confirm the write, so no data is lost if the primary fails. However, that guarantee comes with added latency because the write cannot finish until the replication round-trip succeeds. In contrast, asynchronous replication speeds things up by not waiting for replication, which opens a window for potential data loss. Semi-synchronous and hybrid offer different trade-offs between risk and delay, but they don’t provide the zero-data-loss guarantee of synchronous replication.