An algorithm for maintaining consistent view of processes in distributed systems

In the paper, the problem of determining the global properties of distributed systems is addressed. At each moment during the execution of a system, every process has its knowledge about the system. By message passing the processes can exchange their knowledge. We present a general algorithm for a process to synthesize the knowledge that it obtains, and to maintain its consistent view about the system. Depending on different interpretations the algorithm can be used for distributed snapshots, for verification and design of stabilizing protocols, etc