What is the difference between circuit breaker and bulkhead pattern?

Question

Accepted Answer

**Circuit Breaker** — stop on failure. **Bulkhead** — isolate failures.

**Circuit Breaker:**
- Detects failures.
- Opens circuit on threshold.
- Prevents cascading.
- Allows recovery.

```
Circuit Breaker:
Normal: Requests flow
Failures: Circuit opens → Fail fast
Recovery: Half-open → Test
(Stop on failure)
```

**Bulkhead Pattern:**
- Isolates components.
- Prevents failure spread.
- Resource pools.
- Fault isolation.

```
Bulkhead:
[Pool A] [Pool B] [Pool C]
  If Pool A fails → Pool B, C unaffected
(Isolated failures)
```

**Key differences:**
- **Circuit Breaker** — stop on failure.
- **Bulkhead** — isolate failures.
- **Circuit Breaker** — one component.
- **Bulkhead** — multiple components.

Systems Analyst: What is the difference between circuit breaker and bulkhead pattern?