Cluster

A cluster is a group of computers or applications called nodes that work together towards a common goal. In cloud native computing, the term is often applied when talking about a Kubernetes cluster. It can be seen as a specific kind of distributed system where the nodes are a bit more tightly coupled.

Problem it addresses

Software that runs on a single computer presents a single point of failure — if that computer crashes, or someone accidentally unplugs the power cable, then some business-critical system may be taken offline. That’s why modern software is generally built as distributed applications, grouped together as clusters.

How it helps

Clustered, distributed applications run across multiple machines, eliminating a single point of failure. But building distributed systems is really hard. In fact, it’s a computer science discipline in its own right. The need for global systems and years of trial and error led to the development of a new kind of tech stack: cloud native technologies. These new technologies are the building blocks that make the operation and creation of distributed systems easier.