doc/book/cookbook/real-world.md

@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ metadata_dir = "/var/lib/garage/meta"
 data_dir = "/var/lib/garage/data"
 db_engine = "lmdb"
 
-replication_mode = "3"
+replication_factor = 3
 
 compression_level = 2
 

doc/book/operations/layout.md

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ An introduction to building cluster layouts can be found in the [production depl
 In Garage, all of the data that can be stored in a given cluster is divided
 into slices which we call *partitions*. Each partition is stored by
 one or several nodes in the cluster
-(see [`replication_mode`](@/documentation/reference-manual/configuration.md#replication_mode)).
+(see [`replication_factor`](@/documentation/reference-manual/configuration.md#replication_factor)).
 The layout determines the correspondence between these partitions,
 which exist on a logical level, and actual storage nodes.
 

doc/book/quick-start/_index.md

@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ metadata_dir = "/tmp/meta"
 data_dir = "/tmp/data"
 db_engine = "lmdb"
 
-replication_mode = "none"
+replication_factor = 1
 
 rpc_bind_addr = "[::]:3901"
 rpc_public_addr = "127.0.0.1:3901"

doc/book/reference-manual/configuration.md

@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ weight = 20
 Here is an example `garage.toml` configuration file that illustrates all of the possible options:
 
 ```toml
-replication_mode = "3"
+replication_factor = 3
+consistency_mode = "consistent"
 
 metadata_dir = "/var/lib/garage/meta"
 data_dir = "/var/lib/garage/data"
@@ -90,7 +91,8 @@ Top-level configuration options:
 [`lmdb_map_size`](#lmdb_map_size),
 [`metadata_dir`](#metadata_dir),
 [`metadata_fsync`](#metadata_fsync),
-[`replication_mode`](#replication_mode),
+[`replication_factor`](#replication_factor),
+[`consistency_mode`](#consistency_mode),
 [`rpc_bind_addr`](#rpc_bind_addr),
 [`rpc_bind_outgoing`](#rpc_bind_outgoing),
 [`rpc_public_addr`](#rpc_public_addr),
@@ -133,11 +135,12 @@ The `[admin]` section:
 
 ### Top-level configuration options
 
-#### `replication_mode` {#replication_mode}
+#### `replication_factor` {#replication_factor}
 
-Garage supports the following replication modes:
+The replication factor can be any positive integer smaller or equal the node count in your cluster.
+The chosen replication factor has a big impact on the cluster's failure tolerancy and performance characteristics.
 
-- `none` or `1`: data stored on Garage is stored on a single node. There is no
+- `1`: data stored on Garage is stored on a single node. There is no
   redundancy, and data will be unavailable as soon as one node fails or its
   network is disconnected.  Do not use this for anything else than test
   deployments.
@@ -148,17 +151,6 @@ Garage supports the following replication modes:
   before losing data. Data remains available in read-only mode when one node is
   down, but write operations will fail.
 
-  - `2-dangerous`: a variant of mode `2`, where written objects are written to
-    the second replica asynchronously. This means that Garage will return `200
-    OK` to a PutObject request before the second copy is fully written (or even
-    before it even starts being written).  This means that data can more easily
-    be lost if the node crashes before a second copy can be completed.  This
-    also means that written objects might not be visible immediately in read
-    operations.  In other words, this mode severely breaks the consistency and
-    durability guarantees of standard Garage cluster operation.  Benefits of
-    this mode: you can still write to your cluster when one node is
-    unavailable.
-
 - `3`: data stored on Garage will be stored on three different nodes, if
   possible each in a different zones.  Garage tolerates two node failure, or
   several node failures but in no more than two zones (in a deployment with at
@@ -166,55 +158,84 @@ Garage supports the following replication modes:
   or node failures are only in a single zone, reading and writing data to
   Garage can continue normally.
 
-  - `3-degraded`: a variant of replication mode `3`, that lowers the read
+- `5`, `7`, ...: When setting the replication factor above 3, it is most useful to
-    quorum to `1`, to allow you to read data from your cluster when several
+  choose an uneven value, since for every two copies added, one more node can fail
-    nodes (or nodes in several zones) are unavailable.  In this mode, Garage
+  before losing the ability to write and read to the cluster.
-    does not provide read-after-write consistency anymore.  The write quorum is
-    still 2, ensuring that data successfully written to Garage is stored on at
-    least two nodes.
-
-  - `3-dangerous`: a variant of replication mode `3` that lowers both the read
-    and write quorums to `1`, to allow you to both read and write to your
-    cluster when several nodes (or nodes in several zones) are unavailable.  It
-    is the least consistent mode of operation proposed by Garage, and also one
-    that should probably never be used.
 
 Note that in modes `2` and `3`,
 if at least the same number of zones are available, an arbitrary number of failures in
 any given zone is tolerated as copies of data will be spread over several zones.
 
-**Make sure `replication_mode` is the same in the configuration files of all nodes.
+**Make sure `replication_factor` is the same in the configuration files of all nodes.
 Never run a Garage cluster where that is not the case.**
 
+It is technically possible to change the replication factor although it's a
+dangerous operation that is not officially supported.  This requires you to
+delete the existing cluster layout and create a new layout from scratch,
+meaning that a full rebalancing of your cluster's data will be needed.  To do
+it, shut down your cluster entirely, delete the `custer_layout` files in the
+meta directories of all your nodes, update all your configuration files with
+the new `replication_factor` parameter, restart your cluster, and then create a
+new layout with all the nodes you want to keep.  Rebalancing data will take
+some time, and data might temporarily appear unavailable to your users.
+It is recommended to shut down public access to the cluster while rebalancing
+is in progress.  In theory, no data should be lost as rebalancing is a
+routine operation for Garage, although we cannot guarantee you that everything
+ will go right in such an extreme scenario.
+
+#### `consistency_mode` {#consistency_mode}
+
+The consistency mode setting determines the read and write behaviour of your cluster.
+
+  - `consistent`: The default setting. This is what the paragraph above describes.
+    The read and write quorum will be determined so that read-after-write consistency
+    is guaranteed.
+  - `degraded`: Lowers the read
+    quorum to `1`, to allow you to read data from your cluster when several
+    nodes (or nodes in several zones) are unavailable.  In this mode, Garage
+    does not provide read-after-write consistency anymore.
+    The write quorum stays the same as in the `consistent` mode, ensuring that
+    data successfully written to Garage is stored on multiple nodes (depending
+    the replication factor).
+  - `dangerous`: This mode lowers both the read
+    and write quorums to `1`, to allow you to both read and write to your
+    cluster when several nodes (or nodes in several zones) are unavailable.  It
+    is the least consistent mode of operation proposed by Garage, and also one
+    that should probably never be used.
+
+Changing the `consistency_mode` between modes while leaving the `replication_factor` untouched
+(e.g. setting your node's `consistency_mode` to `degraded` when it was previously unset, or from
+`dangerous` to `consistent`), can be done easily by just changing the `consistency_mode`
+parameter in your config files and restarting all your Garage nodes.
+
+The consistency mode can be used together with various replication factors, to achieve
+a wide range of read and write characteristics. Some examples:
+
+  - Replication factor `2`, consistency mode `degraded`: While this mode
+    technically exists, its properties are the same as with consistency mode `consistent`,
+    since the read quorum with replication factor `2`, consistency mode `consistent` is already 1.
+
+  - Replication factor `2`, consistency mode `dangerous`: written objects are written to
+    the second replica asynchronously. This means that Garage will return `200
+    OK` to a PutObject request before the second copy is fully written (or even
+    before it even starts being written).  This means that data can more easily
+    be lost if the node crashes before a second copy can be completed.  This
+    also means that written objects might not be visible immediately in read
+    operations.  In other words, this configuration severely breaks the consistency and
+    durability guarantees of standard Garage cluster operation.  Benefits of
+    this configuration: you can still write to your cluster when one node is
+    unavailable.
+
 The quorums associated with each replication mode are described below:
 
-| `replication_mode` | Number of replicas | Write quorum | Read quorum | Read-after-write consistency? |
+| `consistency_mode` | `replication_factor` | Write quorum | Read quorum | Read-after-write consistency? |
-| ------------------ | ------------------ | ------------ | ----------- | ----------------------------- |
+| ------------------ | -------------------- | ------------ | ----------- | ----------------------------- |
-| `none` or `1`      | 1                  | 1            | 1           | yes                           |
+| `consistent`       | 1                    | 1            | 1           | yes                           |
-| `2`                | 2                  | 2            | 1           | yes                           |
+| `consistent`       | 2                    | 2            | 1           | yes                           |
-| `2-dangerous`      | 2                  | 1            | 1           | NO                            |
+| `dangerous`        | 2                    | 1            | 1           | NO                            |
-| `3`                | 3                  | 2            | 2           | yes                           |
+| `consistent`       | 3                    | 2            | 2           | yes                           |
-| `3-degraded`       | 3                  | 2            | 1           | NO                            |
+| `degraded`         | 3                    | 2            | 1           | NO                            |
-| `3-dangerous`      | 3                  | 1            | 1           | NO                            |
+| `dangerous`        | 3                    | 1            | 1           | NO                            |
-
-Changing the `replication_mode` between modes with the same number of replicas
-(e.g. from `3` to `3-degraded`, or from `2-dangerous` to `2`), can be done easily by
-just changing the `replication_mode` parameter in your config files and restarting all your
-Garage nodes.
-
-It is also technically possible to change the replication mode to a mode with a
-different numbers of replicas, although it's a dangerous operation that is not
-officially supported.  This requires you to delete the existing cluster layout
-and create a new layout from scratch, meaning that a full rebalancing of your
-cluster's data will be needed.  To do it, shut down your cluster entirely,
-delete the `custer_layout` files in the meta directories of all your nodes,
-update all your configuration files with the new `replication_mode` parameter,
-restart your cluster, and then create a new layout with all the nodes you want
-to keep.  Rebalancing data will take some time, and data might temporarily
-appear unavailable to your users.  It is recommended to shut down public access
-to the cluster while rebalancing is in progress.  In theory, no data should be
-lost as rebalancing is a routine operation for Garage, although we cannot
-guarantee you that everything will go right in such an extreme scenario.
 
 #### `metadata_dir` {#metadata_dir}
 

doc/book/reference-manual/features.md

@@ -39,10 +39,10 @@ Read about cluster layout management [here](@/documentation/operations/layout.md
 
 ### Several replication modes
 
-Garage supports a variety of replication modes, with 1 copy, 2 copies or 3 copies of your data,
+Garage supports a variety of replication modes, with configurable replica count,
 and with various levels of consistency, in order to adapt to a variety of usage scenarios.
-Read our reference page on [supported replication modes](@/documentation/reference-manual/configuration.md#replication_mode)
+Read our reference page on [supported replication modes](@/documentation/reference-manual/configuration.md#replication_factor)
-to select the replication mode best suited to your use case (hint: in most cases, `replication_mode = "3"` is what you want).
+to select the replication mode best suited to your use case (hint: in most cases, `replication_factor = 3` is what you want).
 
 ### Compression and deduplication
 

src/garage/secrets.rs

@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ mod tests {
 			r#"
 			metadata_dir = "/tmp/garage/meta"
 			data_dir = "/tmp/garage/data"
-			replication_mode = "3"
+			replication_factor = 3
 			rpc_bind_addr = "[::]:3901"
 			rpc_secret_file = "{}"
 
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ mod tests {
 			r#"
 			metadata_dir = "/tmp/garage/meta"
 			data_dir = "/tmp/garage/data"
-			replication_mode = "3"
+			replication_factor = 3
 			rpc_bind_addr = "[::]:3901"
 			rpc_secret_file = "{}"
 			allow_world_readable_secrets = true
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ mod tests {
 			r#"
 			metadata_dir = "/tmp/garage/meta"
 			data_dir = "/tmp/garage/data"
-			replication_mode = "3"
+			replication_factor = 3
 			rpc_bind_addr = "[::]:3901"
 			rpc_secret= "dummy"
 			rpc_secret_file = "dummy"

src/garage/tests/common/garage.rs

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ metadata_dir = "{path}/meta"
 data_dir = "{path}/data"
 db_engine = "lmdb"
 
-replication_mode = "1"
+replication_factor = 1
 
 rpc_bind_addr = "127.0.0.1:{rpc_port}"
 rpc_public_addr = "127.0.0.1:{rpc_port}"

src/model/garage.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use garage_util::config::*;
 use garage_util::error::*;
 use garage_util::persister::PersisterShared;
 
-use garage_rpc::replication_mode::ReplicationMode;
+use garage_rpc::replication_mode::*;
 use garage_rpc::system::System;
 
 use garage_block::manager::*;
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ pub struct Garage {
 	/// The set of background variables that can be viewed/modified at runtime
 	pub bg_vars: vars::BgVars,
 
-	/// The replication mode of this cluster
+	/// The replication factor of this cluster
-	pub replication_mode: ReplicationMode,
+	pub replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
 
 	/// The local database
 	pub db: db::Db,
@@ -222,27 +222,26 @@ impl Garage {
 		.and_then(|x| NetworkKey::from_slice(&x))
 		.ok_or_message("Invalid RPC secret key")?;
 
-		let replication_mode = ReplicationMode::parse(&config.replication_mode)
+		let (replication_factor, consistency_mode) = parse_replication_mode(&config)?;
-			.ok_or_message("Invalid replication_mode in config file.")?;
 
 		info!("Initialize background variable system...");
 		let mut bg_vars = vars::BgVars::new();
 
 		info!("Initialize membership management system...");
-		let system = System::new(network_key, replication_mode, &config)?;
+		let system = System::new(network_key, replication_factor, consistency_mode, &config)?;
 
 		let data_rep_param = TableShardedReplication {
 			system: system.clone(),
-			replication_factor: replication_mode.replication_factor(),
+			replication_factor: replication_factor.into(),
-			write_quorum: replication_mode.write_quorum(),
+			write_quorum: replication_factor.write_quorum(consistency_mode),
 			read_quorum: 1,
 		};
 
 		let meta_rep_param = TableShardedReplication {
 			system: system.clone(),
-			replication_factor: replication_mode.replication_factor(),
+			replication_factor: replication_factor.into(),
-			write_quorum: replication_mode.write_quorum(),
+			write_quorum: replication_factor.write_quorum(consistency_mode),
-			read_quorum: replication_mode.read_quorum(),
+			read_quorum: replication_factor.read_quorum(consistency_mode),
 		};
 
 		let control_rep_param = TableFullReplication {
@@ -338,7 +337,7 @@ impl Garage {
 		Ok(Arc::new(Self {
 			config,
 			bg_vars,
-			replication_mode,
+			replication_factor,
 			db,
 			system,
 			block_manager,

src/rpc/layout/helper.rs

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use garage_util::data::*;
 
 use super::*;
-use crate::replication_mode::ReplicationMode;
+use crate::replication_mode::*;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, Default, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct RpcLayoutDigest {
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ pub struct SyncLayoutDigest {
 }
 
 pub struct LayoutHelper {
-	replication_mode: ReplicationMode,
+	replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
+	consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 	layout: Option<LayoutHistory>,
 
 	// cached values
@@ -57,7 +58,8 @@ impl Deref for LayoutHelper {
 
 impl LayoutHelper {
 	pub fn new(
-		replication_mode: ReplicationMode,
+		replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
+		consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 		mut layout: LayoutHistory,
 		mut ack_lock: HashMap<u64, AtomicUsize>,
 	) -> Self {
@@ -66,7 +68,7 @@ impl LayoutHelper {
 		// correct and we have rapid access to important values such as
 		// the layout versions to use when reading to ensure consistency.
 
-		if !replication_mode.is_read_after_write_consistent() {
+		if consistency_mode != ConsistencyMode::Consistent {
 			// Fast path for when no consistency is required.
 			// In this case we only need to keep the last version of the layout,
 			// we don't care about coordinating stuff in the cluster.
@@ -103,7 +105,7 @@ impl LayoutHelper {
 		// This value is calculated using quorums to allow progress even
 		// if not all nodes have successfully completed a sync.
 		let sync_map_min =
-			layout.calculate_sync_map_min_with_quorum(replication_mode, &all_nongateway_nodes);
+			layout.calculate_sync_map_min_with_quorum(replication_factor, &all_nongateway_nodes);
 
 		let trackers_hash = layout.calculate_trackers_hash();
 		let staging_hash = layout.calculate_staging_hash();
@@ -114,7 +116,8 @@ impl LayoutHelper {
 			.or_insert(AtomicUsize::new(0));
 
 		LayoutHelper {
-			replication_mode,
+			replication_factor,
+			consistency_mode,
 			layout: Some(layout),
 			ack_map_min,
 			sync_map_min,
@@ -139,7 +142,8 @@ impl LayoutHelper {
 		let changed = f(self.layout.as_mut().unwrap());
 		if changed {
 			*self = Self::new(
-				self.replication_mode,
+				self.replication_factor,
+				self.consistency_mode,
 				self.layout.take().unwrap(),
 				std::mem::take(&mut self.ack_lock),
 			);

src/rpc/layout/history.rs

@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@ use garage_util::encode::nonversioned_encode;
 use garage_util::error::*;
 
 use super::*;
-use crate::replication_mode::ReplicationMode;
+use crate::replication_mode::*;
 
 impl LayoutHistory {
-	pub fn new(replication_factor: usize) -> Self {
+	pub fn new(replication_factor: ReplicationFactor) -> Self {
-		let version = LayoutVersion::new(replication_factor);
+		let version = LayoutVersion::new(replication_factor.into());
 
 		let staging = LayoutStaging {
 			parameters: Lww::<LayoutParameters>::new(version.parameters),
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ impl LayoutHistory {
 
 	pub(crate) fn calculate_sync_map_min_with_quorum(
 		&self,
-		replication_mode: ReplicationMode,
+		replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
 		all_nongateway_nodes: &[Uuid],
 	) -> u64 {
 		// This function calculates the minimum layout version from which
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ impl LayoutHistory {
 			return self.current().version;
 		}
 
-		let quorum = replication_mode.write_quorum();
+		let quorum = replication_factor.write_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent);
 
 		let min_version = self.min_stored();
 		let global_min = self

src/rpc/layout/manager.rs

@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@ use garage_util::error::*;
 use garage_util::persister::Persister;
 
 use super::*;
-use crate::replication_mode::ReplicationMode;
+use crate::replication_mode::*;
 use crate::rpc_helper::*;
 use crate::system::*;
 
 pub struct LayoutManager {
 	node_id: Uuid,
-	replication_mode: ReplicationMode,
+	replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
 	persist_cluster_layout: Persister<LayoutHistory>,
 
 	layout: Arc<RwLock<LayoutHelper>>,
@@ -38,20 +38,19 @@ impl LayoutManager {
 		node_id: NodeID,
 		system_endpoint: Arc<Endpoint<SystemRpc, System>>,
 		peering: Arc<PeeringManager>,
-		replication_mode: ReplicationMode,
+		replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
+		consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 	) -> Result<Arc<Self>, Error> {
-		let replication_factor = replication_mode.replication_factor();
-
 		let persist_cluster_layout: Persister<LayoutHistory> =
 			Persister::new(&config.metadata_dir, "cluster_layout");
 
 		let cluster_layout = match persist_cluster_layout.load() {
 			Ok(x) => {
-				if x.current().replication_factor != replication_mode.replication_factor() {
+				if x.current().replication_factor != replication_factor.replication_factor() {
 					return Err(Error::Message(format!(
 						"Prevous cluster layout has replication factor {}, which is different than the one specified in the config file ({}). The previous cluster layout can be purged, if you know what you are doing, simply by deleting the `cluster_layout` file in your metadata directory.",
 						x.current().replication_factor,
-						replication_factor
+						replication_factor.replication_factor()
 					)));
 				}
 				x
@@ -65,8 +64,12 @@ impl LayoutManager {
 			}
 		};
 
-		let mut cluster_layout =
+		let mut cluster_layout = LayoutHelper::new(
-			LayoutHelper::new(replication_mode, cluster_layout, Default::default());
+			replication_factor,
+			consistency_mode,
+			cluster_layout,
+			Default::default(),
+		);
 		cluster_layout.update_trackers(node_id.into());
 
 		let layout = Arc::new(RwLock::new(cluster_layout));
@@ -81,7 +84,7 @@ impl LayoutManager {
 
 		Ok(Arc::new(Self {
 			node_id: node_id.into(),
-			replication_mode,
+			replication_factor,
 			persist_cluster_layout,
 			layout,
 			change_notify,
@@ -295,11 +298,11 @@ impl LayoutManager {
 			adv.update_trackers
 		);
 
-		if adv.current().replication_factor != self.replication_mode.replication_factor() {
+		if adv.current().replication_factor != self.replication_factor.replication_factor() {
 			let msg = format!(
 				"Received a cluster layout from another node with replication factor {}, which is different from what we have in our configuration ({}). Discarding the cluster layout we received.",
 				adv.current().replication_factor,
-				self.replication_mode.replication_factor()
+				self.replication_factor.replication_factor()
 			);
 			error!("{}", msg);
 			return Err(Error::Message(msg));

src/rpc/layout/test.rs

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use garage_util::crdt::Crdt;
 use garage_util::error::*;
 
 use crate::layout::*;
+use crate::replication_mode::ReplicationFactor;
 
 // This function checks that the partition size S computed is at least better than the
 // one given by a very naive algorithm. To do so, we try to run the naive algorithm
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ fn test_assignment() {
 	let mut node_capacity_vec = vec![4000, 1000, 2000];
 	let mut node_zone_vec = vec!["A", "B", "C"];
 
-	let mut cl = LayoutHistory::new(3);
+	let mut cl = LayoutHistory::new(ReplicationFactor::new(3).unwrap());
 	update_layout(&mut cl, &node_capacity_vec, &node_zone_vec, 3);
 	let v = cl.current().version;
 	let (mut cl, msg) = cl.apply_staged_changes(Some(v + 1)).unwrap();

src/rpc/replication_mode.rs

@@ -1,57 +1,94 @@
-#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+use garage_util::config::Config;
-pub enum ReplicationMode {
+use garage_util::crdt::AutoCrdt;
-	None,
+use garage_util::error::*;
-	TwoWay,
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-	TwoWayDangerous,
+
-	ThreeWay,
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-	ThreeWayDegraded,
+#[serde(transparent)]
-	ThreeWayDangerous,
+pub struct ReplicationFactor(usize);
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
+pub enum ConsistencyMode {
+	/// Read- and Write-quorum are 1
+	Dangerous,
+	/// Read-quorum is 1
+	Degraded,
+	/// Read- and Write-quorum are determined for read-after-write-consistency
+	#[default]
+	Consistent,
 }
 
-impl ReplicationMode {
+impl ConsistencyMode {
-	pub fn parse(v: &str) -> Option<Self> {
+	pub fn parse(s: &str) -> Option<Self> {
-		match v {
+		serde_json::from_value(serde_json::Value::String(s.to_string())).ok()
-			"none" | "1" => Some(Self::None),
+	}
-			"2" => Some(Self::TwoWay),
+}
-			"2-dangerous" => Some(Self::TwoWayDangerous),
+
-			"3" => Some(Self::ThreeWay),
+impl AutoCrdt for ConsistencyMode {
-			"3-degraded" => Some(Self::ThreeWayDegraded),
+	const WARN_IF_DIFFERENT: bool = true;
-			"3-dangerous" => Some(Self::ThreeWayDangerous),
+}
-			_ => None,
+
+impl ReplicationFactor {
+	pub fn new(replication_factor: usize) -> Option<Self> {
+		if replication_factor < 1 {
+			None
+		} else {
+			Some(Self(replication_factor))
 		}
 	}
 
 	pub fn replication_factor(&self) -> usize {
-		match self {
+		self.0
-			Self::None => 1,
+	}
-			Self::TwoWay | Self::TwoWayDangerous => 2,
+
-			Self::ThreeWay | Self::ThreeWayDegraded | Self::ThreeWayDangerous => 3,
+	pub fn read_quorum(&self, consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode) -> usize {
+		match consistency_mode {
+			ConsistencyMode::Dangerous | ConsistencyMode::Degraded => 1,
+			ConsistencyMode::Consistent => self.replication_factor().div_ceil(2),
 		}
 	}
 
-	pub fn read_quorum(&self) -> usize {
+	pub fn write_quorum(&self, consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode) -> usize {
-		match self {
+		match consistency_mode {
-			Self::None => 1,
+			ConsistencyMode::Dangerous => 1,
-			Self::TwoWay | Self::TwoWayDangerous => 1,
+			ConsistencyMode::Degraded | ConsistencyMode::Consistent => {
-			Self::ThreeWay => 2,
+				(self.replication_factor() + 1) - self.read_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent)
-			Self::ThreeWayDegraded | Self::ThreeWayDangerous => 1,
+			}
+		}
 	}
 }
 
-	pub fn write_quorum(&self) -> usize {
+impl std::convert::From<ReplicationFactor> for usize {
-		match self {
+	fn from(replication_factor: ReplicationFactor) -> usize {
-			Self::None => 1,
+		replication_factor.0
-			Self::TwoWay => 2,
-			Self::TwoWayDangerous => 1,
-			Self::ThreeWay | Self::ThreeWayDegraded => 2,
-			Self::ThreeWayDangerous => 1,
 	}
 }
 
-	pub fn is_read_after_write_consistent(&self) -> bool {
+pub fn parse_replication_mode(
-		match self {
+	config: &Config,
-			Self::None | Self::TwoWay | Self::ThreeWay => true,
+) -> Result<(ReplicationFactor, ConsistencyMode), Error> {
-			_ => false,
+	match (&config.replication_mode, config.replication_factor, config.consistency_mode.as_str()) {
-		}
+        (Some(replication_mode), None, "consistent") => {
+            tracing::warn!("Legacy config option replication_mode in use. Please migrate to replication_factor and consistency_mode");
+            let parsed_replication_mode = match replication_mode.as_str() {
+                "1" | "none"  => Some((ReplicationFactor(1), ConsistencyMode::Consistent)),
+                "2"           => Some((ReplicationFactor(2), ConsistencyMode::Consistent)),
+                "2-dangerous" => Some((ReplicationFactor(2), ConsistencyMode::Dangerous)),
+                "3"           => Some((ReplicationFactor(3), ConsistencyMode::Consistent)),
+                "3-degraded"  => Some((ReplicationFactor(3), ConsistencyMode::Degraded)),
+                "3-dangerous" => Some((ReplicationFactor(3), ConsistencyMode::Dangerous)),
+                _ => None,
+            };
+            Some(parsed_replication_mode.ok_or_message("Invalid replication_mode in config file.")?)
+        },
+        (None, Some(replication_factor), consistency_mode) => {
+            let replication_factor = ReplicationFactor::new(replication_factor)
+                .ok_or_message("Invalid replication_factor in config file.")?;
+            let consistency_mode = ConsistencyMode::parse(consistency_mode)
+                .ok_or_message("Invalid consistency_mode in config file.")?;
+            Some((replication_factor, consistency_mode))
         }
+        _ => None,
+    }.ok_or_message("Either the legacy replication_mode or replication_level and consistency_mode can be set, not both.")
 }

src/rpc/system.rs

@@ -112,8 +112,7 @@ pub struct System {
 
 	metrics: ArcSwapOption<SystemMetrics>,
 
-	replication_mode: ReplicationMode,
+	pub(crate) replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
-	pub(crate) replication_factor: usize,
 
 	/// Path to metadata directory
 	pub metadata_dir: PathBuf,
@@ -243,7 +242,8 @@ impl System {
 	/// Create this node's membership manager
 	pub fn new(
 		network_key: NetworkKey,
-		replication_mode: ReplicationMode,
+		replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
+		consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 		config: &Config,
 	) -> Result<Arc<Self>, Error> {
 		// ---- setup netapp RPC protocol ----
@@ -274,14 +274,13 @@ impl System {
 		let persist_peer_list = Persister::new(&config.metadata_dir, "peer_list");
 
 		// ---- setup cluster layout and layout manager ----
-		let replication_factor = replication_mode.replication_factor();
-
 		let layout_manager = LayoutManager::new(
 			config,
 			netapp.id,
 			system_endpoint.clone(),
 			peering.clone(),
-			replication_mode,
+			replication_factor,
+			consistency_mode,
 		)?;
 
 		let mut local_status = NodeStatus::initial(replication_factor, &layout_manager);
@@ -315,7 +314,6 @@ impl System {
 			netapp: netapp.clone(),
 			peering: peering.clone(),
 			system_endpoint,
-			replication_mode,
 			replication_factor,
 			rpc_listen_addr: config.rpc_bind_addr,
 			rpc_public_addr,
@@ -427,7 +425,9 @@ impl System {
 	}
 
 	pub fn health(&self) -> ClusterHealth {
-		let quorum = self.replication_mode.write_quorum();
+		let quorum = self
+			.replication_factor
+			.write_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent);
 
 		// Gather information about running nodes.
 		// Technically, `nodes` contains currently running nodes, as well
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ impl System {
 				.count();
 
 			let not_configured = self.cluster_layout().check().is_err();
-			let no_peers = n_connected < self.replication_factor;
+			let no_peers = n_connected < self.replication_factor.into();
 			let expected_n_nodes = self.cluster_layout().all_nodes().len();
 			let bad_peers = n_connected != expected_n_nodes;
 
@@ -774,14 +774,14 @@ impl EndpointHandler<SystemRpc> for System {
 }
 
 impl NodeStatus {
-	fn initial(replication_factor: usize, layout_manager: &LayoutManager) -> Self {
+	fn initial(replication_factor: ReplicationFactor, layout_manager: &LayoutManager) -> Self {
 		NodeStatus {
 			hostname: Some(
 				gethostname::gethostname()
 					.into_string()
 					.unwrap_or_else(|_| "<invalid utf-8>".to_string()),
 			),
-			replication_factor,
+			replication_factor: replication_factor.into(),
 			layout_digest: layout_manager.layout().digest(),
 			meta_disk_avail: None,
 			data_disk_avail: None,

src/rpc/system_metrics.rs

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ impl SystemMetrics {
 				let replication_factor = system.replication_factor;
 				meter
 					.u64_value_observer("garage_replication_factor", move |observer| {
-						observer.observe(replication_factor as u64, &[])
+						observer.observe(replication_factor.replication_factor() as u64, &[])
 					})
 					.with_description("Garage replication factor setting")
 					.init()

src/util/config.rs

@@ -30,12 +30,20 @@ pub struct Config {
 	)]
 	pub block_size: usize,
 
-	/// Replication mode. Supported values:
+	/// Number of replicas. Can be any positive integer, but uneven numbers are more favorable.
-	/// - none, 1 -> no replication
+	/// - 1 for single-node clusters, or to disable replication
-	/// - 2 -> 2-way replication
+	/// - 3 is the recommended and supported setting.
-	/// - 3 -> 3-way replication
+	#[serde(default)]
-	// (we can add more aliases for this later)
+	pub replication_factor: Option<usize>,
-	pub replication_mode: String,
+
+	/// Consistency mode for all for requests through this node
+	/// - Degraded -> Disable read quorum
+	/// - Dangerous -> Disable read and write quorum
+	#[serde(default = "default_consistency_mode")]
+	pub consistency_mode: String,
+
+	/// Legacy option
+	pub replication_mode: Option<String>,
 
 	/// Zstd compression level used on data blocks
 	#[serde(
@@ -244,10 +252,15 @@ fn default_sled_cache_capacity() -> usize {
 fn default_sled_flush_every_ms() -> u64 {
 	2000
 }
+
 fn default_block_size() -> usize {
 	1048576
 }
 
+fn default_consistency_mode() -> String {
+	"consistent".into()
+}
+
 fn default_compression() -> Option<i32> {
 	Some(1)
 }
@@ -359,7 +372,7 @@ mod tests {
 			r#"
 			metadata_dir = "/tmp/garage/meta"
 			data_dir = "/tmp/garage/data"
-			replication_mode = "3"
+			replication_factor = 3
 			rpc_bind_addr = "[::]:3901"
 			rpc_secret = "foo"