A single-master database has limited update capacity because a single node handles all updates. A multi-master database potentially has higher update capacity because the load is spread across multiple nodes. However, the need to coordinate updates and ensure durability can generate high network traffic. Reducing network load is particularly important in a cloud environment where the network infrastructure is shared among thousands of tenants. In this paper, we present Taurus MM, a shared-storage multi-master database optimized for cloud environments. It implements two novel algorithms aimed at reducing network traffic plus a number of additional optimizations. The first algorithm is a new type of distributed clock that combines the small size of Lamport clocks with the effective support of distributed snapshots of vector clocks. The second algorithm is a new hybrid page and row locking protocol that significantly reduces the number of lock requests sent over the network. Experimental results on a cluster with up to eight masters demonstrate superior performance compared to Aurora multi-master and CockroachDB.

Huawei's cloud-native database system GaussDB for MySQL (also known as Taurus) stores data in a separate storage layer consisting of a pool of storage servers. Each server has considerable compute power making it possible to push data reduction operations (selection, projection, and aggregation) close to storage. This paper describes the design and implementation of near data processing (NDP) in Taurus. NDP has several benefits: it reduces the amount of data shipped over the network; frees up CPU capacity in the compute layer; and reduces query run time, thereby enabling higher system throughput. Experiments with the TPC-H benchmark (100 GB) showed that 18 out of 22 queries benefited from NDP; data shipped was reduced by 63%; and CPU time by 50%. On Q15 the impact was even higher: data shipped was reduced by 98%; CPU time by 91%; and run time by 80%.

Mobile data usage is on the rise globally. In emerging regions, mobile data is particularly expensive and suffers from the lack of price and data usage transparency needed to make informed decisions about Internet use. To measure and address this problem, we designed SmartBrowse, an Internet proxy system that shows mobile data usage information and provides controls to avoid overspending. In this paper, we discuss the results of a 10-week study with SmartBrowse, involving 299 participants in Ghana. Half the users were given SmartBrowse, and the other half was given a regular Internet experience. Our findings suggest that, compared with the control group, using SmartBrowse led to a significant reduction in Internet credit spend and increased online activity among SmartBrowse users, while providing the same or better mobile Internet user experience. Additionally, SmartBrowse users who were prior mobile data non-users increased their webpage views while spending less money than control users. Our discussion contributes to the understanding of how forward-looking ICTD research in the wild can empower mobile data users, in this case, through increased price transparency.

The advanced technology microwave sounder (ATMS) is a new generation microwave instrument in development for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). NASA/GSFC has been responsible for development costs and the first flight unit, while the NPOESS Integrated Program Office (IPO) is responsible for future production units. The first ATMS prototype flight unit will fly on the NASA, NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite. The production units will fly on NPOESS satellites. Design goals on ATMS include an instrument built with approximately one-third of the volume, mass and power compared to it's predecessor, AMSU, with equal or better performance. These goals have proven to be a difficult challenge for the ATMS development. This paper focuses on the NPOESS production units including lessons learned from the development phase, changes and improvements for NPOESS from the prototype flight unit, and status and anticipated performance for NPOESS.