Cassandra Practice Test

When using vnodes, how does Cassandra manage token ranges?

1. Users must assign token ranges manually

2. Cassandra automatically assigns the token ranges

3. Only the administrator can assign ranges

4. Token ranges are fixed and cannot be changed

The correct answer is: Cassandra automatically assigns the token ranges

Cassandra's design philosophy includes the automatic assignment of token ranges when using vnodes. This feature enhances the system's ability to distribute data evenly across the available nodes in a cluster. Each vnode represents a smaller portion of the overall hashing space, and by default, Cassandra dynamically manages the assignment of these ranges to ensure better load balancing and fault tolerance. With vnodes, the architecture allows for a more granular distribution of data, which means that when a node is added or removed, the impact on the overall token distribution is minimized. This automatic assignment alleviates the need for manual intervention, significantly streamlining operational management and reducing the potential for human error in allocation. In contrast, options suggesting that users or administrators must manually assign token ranges not only introduce unnecessary complexity but also increase the likelihood of uneven data distribution and increased overhead in operations. The notion that token ranges are fixed contradicts the principle of scalability and flexibility inherent in Cassandra's design, which is vital for achieving optimal performance in big data scenarios.