# Bulkhead

> Isolate elements of an application into pools to prevent cascading failures

- **Category**: Cloud
- **Subcategory**: azure
- **Canonical URL**: https://designpattern.fyi/patterns/azure_bulkhead/

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## Description
The Bulkhead pattern isolates elements of an application into pools so that if one fails, the others continue to function. Similar to ship bulkheads that compartmentalize a vessel, this pattern partitions resources or services to limit the impact of failures and prevent cascading failures across the entire system.


## Use Cases
Use when you need to prevent cascading failures or when you want to isolate critical resources from failing components.





## Trade-offs


### Advantages

- Prevents cascading failures

- Contains failures to isolated pools

- Improves system resilience

- Enables graceful degradation




### Considerations & Drawbacks

- Resource allocation complexity

- Potential underutilization of resources

- Increased system complexity







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**Reference**: [Original Source](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/patterns/bulkhead)