2.5 Admins 2.5 Admins 247: MPOF
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May 15, 2025 Dive into the unsolvable problems in computer science that continue to puzzle experts. Discover why trusting AI for tuning ZFS can lead to dangerous pitfalls. Learn about real-life anecdotes illustrating the challenges in systems administration, especially with cache invalidation. Explore creative and innovative check-in systems for friends that respect privacy and security. The discussion emphasizes the need for human expertise in navigating complex tech situations, cautioning against over-reliance on AI.
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Fundamental Computer Science Challenges
- Cache invalidation, naming things, and eliminating single points of failure remain fundamental unsolved problems in computer science and sysadmin work.
- These issues stem from the complexity of distributed systems, making perfect universal solutions unattainable.
Single Points of Failure Reality
- True elimination of single points of failure is impossible; you can only reduce and choose manageable ones.
- Complex systems always depend on a root that can fail, so trade-offs are necessary.
Distributed Systems and Cache Invalidation
- Distributed systems and database synchronization problems are fundamentally tied to cache invalidation challenges.
- Only DNS among widely replicated databases works consistently daily due to its tightly constrained, uniform workload.
