Two-phase commit (idea)

Two phase commit is a way to ensure in a distributed system that a common action of several nodes of the system will either be executed by all nodes or by none (see atomicity of transactions). In this protocol the initiator (or a chosen coordinator) of the common action ask all participants if they are sure to be able to execute the action (1^st phase: prepare). If all nodes answer positively, the initiator will command all nodes to execute the action (2^nd phase: commit). If one node answers negatively or not at all, the initiator will cancel the action at all nodes (2^nd phase: abort).

This protocol ensures the atomicity of the distributed action but has the disadvantage to abort the whole action if only one of the participating nodes becomes (temporarily) unavailable.