Paper 08: Non-linear Dynamics of Retry Storms — When Self-Healing Mechanisms Break the System

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I. Abstract #

Conventional intuition treats automatic retries upon network failure as a safety net that improves software reliability. In non-linear systems, this reflex leads directly to collapse. When load crosses a critical threshold, retries create a positive feedback loop with an amplification gain exceeding 1, turning a brief glitch into a self-sustaining storm. The system falls into metastable failure: a stuck overload state where all compute capacity is wasted on expired requests, driving useful goodput to zero even after the original trigger has disappeared. Hysteresis keeps the system locked in this overloaded state. Three architectural defenses are essential: capping retry budgets at 10%, dropping expired work early through deadline propagation, and shedding excess load right at the entry perimeter.

Positive Feedback Loops on VinhMDev

Paper 08: Non-linear Dynamics of Retry Storms — When Self-Healing Mechanisms Break the System

I. Abstract #