Gossip protocols are communication mechanisms used in distributed systems to share information efficiently among multiple nodes by simulating a spreading process, similar to how gossip spreads in social networks. This approach helps maintain consistency and balance in load across systems by allowing nodes to share their state with randomly selected peers, ensuring that updates proliferate quickly and reach all necessary parts of the system. The decentralized nature of gossip protocols makes them particularly effective for large-scale systems where traditional centralized methods might struggle.
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