Virtual nodes

Virtual nodes are a technique used in distributed systems, such as data storage or computing clusters, to improve load balancing and reliability. Instead of assigning one physical machine to handle a specific set of tasks or data, each physical machine hosts multiple virtual nodes—think of them as independent work segments. This allows tasks or data to be spread more evenly across all machines, making the system more efficient and resilient. If a physical machine fails, only its virtual nodes are affected, reducing disruptions and making it easier to redistribute workloads seamlessly.