Why is bandwidth crucial in synchronous replication?

Bandwidth is crucial in synchronous replication because it directly impacts the system's ability to maintain data integrity during real-time synchronization. In synchronous replication, data is transmitted from one storage location to another simultaneously, ensuring that both sites have the exact same copy of the data at any given moment.

High bandwidth is necessary to facilitate this immediate transfer, especially in environments with large datasets or high transaction volumes. When bandwidth is insufficient, the replication process may experience delays, leading to situations where one site has outdated data compared to another. This can compromise data integrity, as users or applications on different systems may attempt to access or utilize data that is not consistent or up-to-date.

Therefore, having the right amount of bandwidth ensures that data is consistently synchronized across locations, which is vital in applications where real-time accuracy is critical, such as financial transactions or critical operational systems.