Distributed sequence number generation?

Question

I\'ve generally implemented sequence number generation using database sequences in the past.

e.g. Using Postgres SERIAL type http://www.neilconway.o

Answer 1

You could have each node have a unique ID (which you may have anyway) and then prepend that to the sequence number.

For example, node 1 generates sequence 001-00001 001-00002 001-00003 etc. and node 5 generates 005-00001 005-00002

Unique :-)

Alternately if you want some sort of a centralized system, you could consider having your sequence server give out in blocks. This reduces the overhead significantly. For example, instead of requesting a new ID from the central server for each ID that must be assigned, you request IDs in blocks of 10,000 from the central server and then only have to do another network request when you run out.