Multi-Region Data Pattern: Active-Passive vs Active-Active

Data is the hardest part of multi-region. The patterns and their trade-offs.

Active-passive

Single writeable region; read replicas elsewhere.

Simpler; consistent. Failover requires DNS or LB shift.

Active-active

Multi-region writeable. CRDT or last-write-wins resolution.

Complex; eventually consistent. Best for globally-distributed users.

Hybrid

Active-passive for transactional data; active-active for cache and session state.

Most production stacks. Match the pattern to the data class.