Abstract text

Methods and systems to maintain data integrity across a plurality of devices by reducing or preventing dangling references are provided. In one embodiment, all data objects are provided with reference IDs enabling reference to an extant version of an object. In another embodiment, a global synchronization clock per synchronization node is used. Furthermore, in an embodiment, data integrity is enhanced through the use of snapshots during synchronization processes. In another embodiment, forwarding deletes is used to resolve conflicts in a synchronization process. In another embodiment, update ordering is employed to maintain data integrity when adding or deleting data objects.