light client : failsafe crate (circuit breaker) (#9790)

* refactor(light) : N/W calls with `circuit breaker` * fix(nits) : forgot to commit new files * Add tests and change CLI args * Address grumbles * fix(failsafe-rs) : Santize input to prevent panics * chore(failsafe) : bump failsafe, (parking_lot) Bump failsafe to v0.3.0 to enable `parking_lot::Mutex` instead `spin::Mutex` * Remove `success_rate` * feat(circuit_breaker logger) * feat(CLI): separate CLI args request and response * Fix tests * Error response provide request kind When a reponse `times-out` provide the actual request or requests that failed * Update ethcore/light/src/on_demand/mod.rs Co-Authored-By: niklasad1 <niklasadolfsson1@gmail.com> * Update ethcore/light/src/on_demand/mod.rs Co-Authored-By: niklasad1 <niklasadolfsson1@gmail.com> * fix(grumbles): formatting nit * fix(grumbles) * Use second resolution on CLI args * Use `consecutive failure policy` instead of `timeOverWindow` * Add a couple of tests for `request_guard` * fix(request_guard): off-by-one error, update tests
2018-12-05 10:36:53 +01:00 · 2018-12-05 10:36:53 +01:00 · 7fb33796b1
commit 7fb33796b1
parent ec886ddefb
13 changed files with 652 additions and 158 deletions
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@ -738,6 +738,7 @@ dependencies = [
 "ethcore-network 1.12.0",
 "ethcore-transaction 0.1.0",
 "ethereum-types 0.4.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
+ "failsafe 0.3.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
 "fastmap 0.1.0",
 "futures 0.1.25 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
 "hashdb 0.3.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
@ -1169,6 +1170,16 @@ dependencies = [
 "vm 0.1.0",
 ]

+[[package]]
+name = "failsafe"
+version = "0.3.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+dependencies = [
+ "futures 0.1.25 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
+ "parking_lot 0.6.4 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
+ "rand 0.5.5 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "failure"
 version = "0.1.3"
@ -4268,6 +4279,7 @@ dependencies = [
 "checksum ethbloom 0.5.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "1a93a43ce2e9f09071449da36bfa7a1b20b950ee344b6904ff23de493b03b386"
 "checksum ethereum-types 0.4.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "35b3c5a18bc5e73a32a110ac743ec04b02bbbcd3b71d3118d40a6113d509378a"
 "checksum ethereum-types-serialize 0.2.1 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "4ac59a21a9ce98e188f3dace9eb67a6c4a3c67ec7fbc7218cb827852679dc002"
+"checksum failsafe 0.3.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "ad3bf1642583ea2f1fa38a1e8546613a7488816941b33e5f0fccceac61879118"
 "checksum failure 0.1.3 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "6dd377bcc1b1b7ce911967e3ec24fa19c3224394ec05b54aa7b083d498341ac7"
 "checksum failure_derive 0.1.3 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "64c2d913fe8ed3b6c6518eedf4538255b989945c14c2a7d5cbff62a5e2120596"
 "checksum fake-simd 0.1.2 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "e88a8acf291dafb59c2d96e8f59828f3838bb1a70398823ade51a84de6a6deed"
--- a/ethcore/light/Cargo.toml
+++ b/ethcore/light/Cargo.toml
@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ hashdb = "0.3.0"
 heapsize = "0.4"
 vm = { path = "../vm" }
 fastmap = { path = "../../util/fastmap" }
+failsafe = { version = "0.3.0", default-features = false, features = ["parking_lot_mutex"] }
 rlp = { version = "0.3.0", features = ["ethereum"] }
 rlp_derive = { path = "../../util/rlp_derive" }
 smallvec = "0.6"
--- a/ethcore/light/src/lib.rs
+++ b/ethcore/light/src/lib.rs
@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ extern crate ethereum_types;
 extern crate ethcore;
 extern crate hashdb;
 extern crate heapsize;
+extern crate failsafe;
 extern crate futures;
 extern crate itertools;
 extern crate keccak_hasher;
--- a/ethcore/light/src/on_demand/mod.rs
+++ b/ethcore/light/src/on_demand/mod.rs
@ -19,44 +19,54 @@
 //! will take the raw data received here and extract meaningful results from it.

 use std::cmp;
-use std::collections::{HashMap, BTreeSet};
+use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::marker::PhantomData;
 use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::Duration;

 use ethcore::executed::{Executed, ExecutionError};
-
 use futures::{Poll, Future, Async};
 use futures::sync::oneshot::{self, Receiver};
 use network::PeerId;
 use parking_lot::{RwLock, Mutex};
 use rand;
-use std::time::{Duration, SystemTime};
+use rand::Rng;

 use net::{
-	self, Handler, PeerStatus, Status, Capabilities,
+	Handler, PeerStatus, Status, Capabilities,
 	Announcement, EventContext, BasicContext, ReqId,
 };
+
 use cache::Cache;
 use request::{self as basic_request, Request as NetworkRequest};
 use self::request::CheckedRequest;

-pub use self::request::{Request, Response, HeaderRef};
+pub use self::request::{Request, Response, HeaderRef, Error as ValidityError};
+pub use self::request_guard::{RequestGuard, Error as RequestError};
+pub use self::response_guard::{ResponseGuard, Error as ResponseGuardError, Inner as ResponseGuardInner};
+
+pub use types::request::ResponseError;

 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests;

 pub mod request;
+mod request_guard;
+mod response_guard;

 /// The result of execution
 pub type ExecutionResult = Result<Executed, ExecutionError>;

-/// The default number of retries for OnDemand queries to send to the other nodes
-pub const DEFAULT_RETRY_COUNT: usize = 10;
-
-/// The default time limit in milliseconds for inactive (no new peer to connect to) OnDemand queries (0 for unlimited)
-pub const DEFAULT_QUERY_TIME_LIMIT: Duration = Duration::from_millis(10000);
-
-const NULL_DURATION: Duration = Duration::from_secs(0);
+/// The initial backoff interval for OnDemand queries
+pub const DEFAULT_REQUEST_MIN_BACKOFF_DURATION: Duration = Duration::from_secs(10);
+/// The maximum request interval for OnDemand queries
+pub const DEFAULT_REQUEST_MAX_BACKOFF_DURATION: Duration = Duration::from_secs(100);
+/// The default window length a response is evaluated
+pub const DEFAULT_RESPONSE_TIME_TO_LIVE: Duration = Duration::from_secs(60);
+/// The default number of maximum backoff iterations
+pub const DEFAULT_MAX_REQUEST_BACKOFF_ROUNDS: usize = 10;
+/// The default number failed request to be regarded as failure
+pub const DEFAULT_NUM_CONSECUTIVE_FAILED_REQUESTS: usize = 1;

 /// OnDemand related errors
 pub mod error {
@ -69,22 +79,19 @@ pub mod error {
 		}

 		errors {
-			#[doc = "Max number of on-demand query attempts reached without result."]
-			MaxAttemptReach(query_index: usize) {
-				description("On-demand query limit reached")
-				display("On-demand query limit reached on query #{}", query_index)
+			#[doc = "Timeout bad response"]
+			BadResponse(err: String) {
+				description("Max response evaluation time exceeded")
+				display("{}", err)
 			}

-			#[doc = "No reply with current peer set, time out occured while waiting for new peers for additional query attempt."]
-			TimeoutOnNewPeers(query_index: usize, remaining_attempts: usize) {
-				description("Timeout for On-demand query")
-				display("Timeout for On-demand query; {} query attempts remain for query #{}", remaining_attempts, query_index)
+			#[doc = "OnDemand requests limit exceeded"]
+			RequestLimit {
+				description("OnDemand request maximum backoff iterations exceeded")
+				display("OnDemand request maximum backoff iterations exceeded")
 			}
-
 		}
-
 	}
-
 }

 // relevant peer info.
@ -113,7 +120,6 @@ impl Peer {
 	}
 }

-
 /// Either an array of responses or a single error.
 type PendingResponse = self::error::Result<Vec<Response>>;

@ -124,10 +130,8 @@ struct Pending {
 	required_capabilities: Capabilities,
 	responses: Vec<Response>,
 	sender: oneshot::Sender<PendingResponse>,
-	base_query_index: usize,
-	remaining_query_count: usize,
-	query_id_history: BTreeSet<PeerId>,
-	inactive_time_limit: Option<SystemTime>,
+	request_guard: RequestGuard,
+	response_guard: ResponseGuard,
 }

 impl Pending {
@ -190,7 +194,7 @@ impl Pending {
 	fn try_complete(self) -> Option<Self> {
 		if self.requests.is_complete() {
 			if self.sender.send(Ok(self.responses)).is_err() {
-				debug!(target: "on_demand", "Dropped oneshot channel receiver on complete request at query #{}", self.query_id_history.len());
+				debug!(target: "on_demand", "Dropped oneshot channel receiver on request");
 			}
 			None
 		} else {
@ -227,20 +231,38 @@ impl Pending {
 		self.required_capabilities = capabilities;
 	}

-	// returning no reponse, it will result in an error.
-	// self is consumed on purpose.
-	fn no_response(self) {
-		trace!(target: "on_demand", "Dropping a pending query (no reply) at query #{}", self.query_id_history.len());
-		let err = self::error::ErrorKind::MaxAttemptReach(self.requests.num_answered());
+	// received too many empty responses, may be away to indicate a faulty request
+	fn bad_response(self, response_err: ResponseGuardError) {
+		let reqs: Vec<&str> = self.requests.requests().iter().map(|req| {
+			match req {
+				CheckedRequest::HeaderProof(_, _) => "HeaderProof",
+				CheckedRequest::HeaderByHash(_, _) => "HeaderByHash",
+				CheckedRequest::HeaderWithAncestors(_, _) => "HeaderWithAncestors",
+				CheckedRequest::TransactionIndex(_, _) => "TransactionIndex",
+				CheckedRequest::Receipts(_, _) => "Receipts",
+				CheckedRequest::Body(_, _) => "Body",
+				CheckedRequest::Account(_, _) => "Account",
+				CheckedRequest::Code(_, _) => "Code",
+				CheckedRequest::Execution(_, _) => "Execution",
+				CheckedRequest::Signal(_, _) => "Signal",
+			}
+		}).collect();
+
+		let err = format!("Bad response on {}: [ {} ]. {}",
+			if reqs.len() > 1 { "requests" } else { "request" },
+			reqs.join(", "),
+			response_err
+		);
+
+		let err = self::error::ErrorKind::BadResponse(err);
 		if self.sender.send(Err(err.into())).is_err() {
 			debug!(target: "on_demand", "Dropped oneshot channel receiver on no response");
 		}
 	}

 	// returning a peer discovery timeout during query attempts
-	fn time_out(self) {
-		trace!(target: "on_demand", "Dropping a pending query (no new peer time out) at query #{}", self.query_id_history.len());
-		let err = self::error::ErrorKind::TimeoutOnNewPeers(self.requests.num_answered(), self.query_id_history.len());
+	fn request_limit_reached(self) {
+		let err = self::error::ErrorKind::RequestLimit;
 		if self.sender.send(Err(err.into())).is_err() {
 			debug!(target: "on_demand", "Dropped oneshot channel receiver on time out");
 		}
@ -326,30 +348,68 @@ pub struct OnDemand {
 	in_transit: RwLock<HashMap<ReqId, Pending>>,
 	cache: Arc<Mutex<Cache>>,
 	no_immediate_dispatch: bool,
-	base_retry_count: usize,
-	query_inactive_time_limit: Option<Duration>,
+	response_time_window: Duration,
+	request_backoff_start: Duration,
+	request_backoff_max: Duration,
+	request_backoff_rounds_max: usize,
+	request_number_of_consecutive_errors: usize
 }

 impl OnDemand {

 	/// Create a new `OnDemand` service with the given cache.
-	pub fn new(cache: Arc<Mutex<Cache>>) -> Self {
-		OnDemand {
+	pub fn new(
+		cache: Arc<Mutex<Cache>>,
+		response_time_window: Duration,
+		request_backoff_start: Duration,
+		request_backoff_max: Duration,
+		request_backoff_rounds_max: usize,
+		request_number_of_consecutive_errors: usize,
+	) -> Self {
+
+		Self {
 			pending: RwLock::new(Vec::new()),
 			peers: RwLock::new(HashMap::new()),
 			in_transit: RwLock::new(HashMap::new()),
 			cache,
 			no_immediate_dispatch: false,
-			base_retry_count: DEFAULT_RETRY_COUNT,
-			query_inactive_time_limit: Some(DEFAULT_QUERY_TIME_LIMIT),
+			response_time_window: Self::sanitize_circuit_breaker_input(response_time_window, "Response time window"),
+			request_backoff_start: Self::sanitize_circuit_breaker_input(request_backoff_start, "Request initial backoff time window"),
+			request_backoff_max: Self::sanitize_circuit_breaker_input(request_backoff_max, "Request maximum backoff time window"),
+			request_backoff_rounds_max,
+			request_number_of_consecutive_errors,
+		}
+	}
+
+	fn sanitize_circuit_breaker_input(dur: Duration, name: &'static str) -> Duration {
+		if dur.as_secs() < 1 {
+			warn!(target: "on_demand",
+				"{} is too short must be at least 1 second, configuring it to 1 second", name);
+			Duration::from_secs(1)
+		} else {
+			dur
 		}
 	}

 	// make a test version: this doesn't dispatch pending requests
 	// until you trigger it manually.
 	#[cfg(test)]
-	fn new_test(cache: Arc<Mutex<Cache>>) -> Self {
-		let mut me = OnDemand::new(cache);
+	fn new_test(
+		cache: Arc<Mutex<Cache>>,
+		request_ttl: Duration,
+		request_backoff_start: Duration,
+		request_backoff_max: Duration,
+		request_backoff_rounds_max: usize,
+		request_number_of_consecutive_errors: usize,
+	) -> Self {
+		let mut me = OnDemand::new(
+			cache,
+			request_ttl,
+			request_backoff_start,
+			request_backoff_max,
+			request_backoff_rounds_max,
+			request_number_of_consecutive_errors,
+		);
 		me.no_immediate_dispatch = true;

 		me
@ -403,10 +463,13 @@ impl OnDemand {
 			required_capabilities: capabilities,
 			responses,
 			sender,
-			base_query_index: 0,
-			remaining_query_count: 0,
-			query_id_history: BTreeSet::new(),
-			inactive_time_limit: None,
+			request_guard: RequestGuard::new(
+				self.request_number_of_consecutive_errors as u32,
+				self.request_backoff_rounds_max,
+				self.request_backoff_start,
+				self.request_backoff_max,
+			),
+			response_guard: ResponseGuard::new(self.response_time_window),
 		});

 		Ok(receiver)
@ -435,82 +498,56 @@ impl OnDemand {
 	// dispatch pending requests, and discard those for which the corresponding
 	// receiver has been dropped.
 	fn dispatch_pending(&self, ctx: &BasicContext) {
-		if self.pending.read().is_empty() { return }
-		let mut pending = self.pending.write();
+		if self.pending.read().is_empty() {
+			return
+		}

-		debug!(target: "on_demand", "Attempting to dispatch {} pending requests", pending.len());
+		let mut pending = self.pending.write();

 		// iterate over all pending requests, and check them for hang-up.
 		// then, try and find a peer who can serve it.
 		let peers = self.peers.read();
-		*pending = ::std::mem::replace(&mut *pending, Vec::new()).into_iter()
+
+		*pending = ::std::mem::replace(&mut *pending, Vec::new())
+			.into_iter()
 			.filter(|pending| !pending.sender.is_canceled())
 			.filter_map(|mut pending| {
-				// the peer we dispatch to is chosen randomly
+
 				let num_peers = peers.len();
-				let history_len = pending.query_id_history.len();
-				let offset = if history_len == 0 {
-					pending.remaining_query_count = self.base_retry_count;
-					let rand = rand::random::<usize>();
-					pending.base_query_index = rand;
-					rand
-				} else {
-					pending.base_query_index + history_len
-				} % cmp::max(num_peers, 1);
-				let init_remaining_query_count = pending.remaining_query_count; // to fail in case of big reduction of nb of peers
-				for (peer_id, peer) in peers.iter().chain(peers.iter())
-					.skip(offset).take(num_peers) {
-					// TODO: see which requests can be answered by the cache?
-					if pending.remaining_query_count == 0 {
-						break
+				// The first peer to dispatch the request is chosen at random
+				let rand = rand::thread_rng().gen_range(0, cmp::max(1, num_peers));
+
+				for (peer_id, peer) in peers
+					.iter()
+					.cycle()
+					.skip(rand)
+					.take(num_peers)
+				{
+
+					if !peer.can_fulfill(&pending.required_capabilities) {
+						trace!(target: "on_demand", "Peer {} without required capabilities, skipping", peer_id);
+						continue
 					}

-					if pending.query_id_history.insert(peer_id.clone()) {
-
-						if !peer.can_fulfill(&pending.required_capabilities) {
-							trace!(target: "on_demand", "Peer {} without required capabilities, skipping, {} remaining attempts", peer_id, pending.remaining_query_count);
-							continue
-						}
-
-						pending.remaining_query_count -= 1;
-						pending.inactive_time_limit = None;
-
-						match ctx.request_from(*peer_id, pending.net_requests.clone()) {
-							Ok(req_id) => {
-								trace!(target: "on_demand", "Dispatched request {} to peer {}, {} remaining attempts", req_id, peer_id, pending.remaining_query_count);
-								self.in_transit.write().insert(req_id, pending);
-								return None
-							}
-							Err(net::Error::NoCredits) | Err(net::Error::NotServer) => {}
-							Err(e) => debug!(target: "on_demand", "Error dispatching request to peer: {}", e),
+					if pending.request_guard.is_call_permitted() {
+						if let Ok(req_id) = ctx.request_from(*peer_id, pending.net_requests.clone()) {
+							self.in_transit.write().insert(req_id, pending);
+							return None;
 						}
 					}
 				}

-				if pending.remaining_query_count == 0	{
-					pending.no_response();
+				// Register that the request round failed
+				if let RequestError::ReachedLimit = pending.request_guard.register_error() {
+					pending.request_limit_reached();
 					None
-				} else if init_remaining_query_count == pending.remaining_query_count {
-					if let Some(query_inactive_time_limit) = self.query_inactive_time_limit {
-						let now = SystemTime::now();
-						if let Some(inactive_time_limit) = pending.inactive_time_limit {
-							if now > inactive_time_limit {
-								pending.time_out();
-								return None
-							}
-						} else {
-							debug!(target: "on_demand", "No more peers to query, waiting for {} seconds until dropping query", query_inactive_time_limit.as_secs());
-							pending.inactive_time_limit = Some(now + query_inactive_time_limit);
-						}
-					}
-					Some(pending)
 				} else {
 					Some(pending)
 				}
-			})
-			.collect(); // `pending` now contains all requests we couldn't dispatch.
+		})
+		.collect(); // `pending` now contains all requests we couldn't dispatch

-		debug!(target: "on_demand", "Was unable to dispatch {} requests.", pending.len());
+		trace!(target: "on_demand", "Was unable to dispatch {} requests.", pending.len());
 	}

 	// submit a pending request set. attempts to answer from cache before
@ -521,26 +558,14 @@ impl OnDemand {

 		pending.answer_from_cache(&*self.cache);
 		if let Some(mut pending) = pending.try_complete() {
+			// update cached requests
 			pending.update_net_requests();
+			// push into `pending` buffer
 			self.pending.write().push(pending);
+			// try to dispatch
 			self.attempt_dispatch(ctx);
 		}
 	}
-
-	/// Set the retry count for a query.
-	pub fn default_retry_number(&mut self, nb_retry: usize) {
-		self.base_retry_count = nb_retry;
-	}
-
-	/// Set the time limit for a query.
-	pub fn query_inactive_time_limit(&mut self, inactive_time_limit: Duration) {
-		self.query_inactive_time_limit = if inactive_time_limit == NULL_DURATION {
-			None
-		} else {
-			Some(inactive_time_limit)
-		};
-	}
-
 }

 impl Handler for OnDemand {
@ -594,13 +619,11 @@ impl Handler for OnDemand {
 		};

 		if responses.is_empty() {
-			if pending.remaining_query_count == 0 {
-				pending.no_response();
+			// Max number of `bad` responses reached, drop the request
+			if let Err(e) = pending.response_guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::Empty)) {
+				pending.bad_response(e);
 				return;
 			}
-		} else {
-			// do not keep query counter for others elements of this batch
-			pending.query_id_history.clear();
 		}

 		// for each incoming response
@ -613,7 +636,11 @@ impl Handler for OnDemand {
 				debug!(target: "on_demand", "Peer {} gave bad response: {:?}", peer, e);
 				ctx.disable_peer(peer);

-				break;
+				// Max number of `bad` responses reached, drop the request
+				if let Err(err) = pending.response_guard.register_error(&e) {
+					pending.bad_response(err);
+					return;
+				}
 			}
 		}

--- a/ethcore/light/src/on_demand/request_guard.rs
+++ b/ethcore/light/src/on_demand/request_guard.rs
@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+// Copyright 2015-2018 Parity Technologies (UK) Ltd.
+// This file is part of Parity.
+
+// Parity is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// Parity is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with Parity.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+use failsafe;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+type RequestPolicy = failsafe::failure_policy::ConsecutiveFailures<failsafe::backoff::Exponential>;
+
+/// Error wrapped on-top of `FailsafeError`
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum Error {
+	/// The call is let through
+	LetThrough,
+	/// The call rejected by the guard
+	Rejected,
+	/// The request reached the maximum of backoff iterations
+	ReachedLimit,
+}
+
+/// Handle and register requests that can fail
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct RequestGuard {
+	backoff_round: usize,
+	max_backoff_rounds: usize,
+	state: failsafe::StateMachine<RequestPolicy, ()>,
+}
+
+impl RequestGuard {
+	/// Constructor
+	pub fn new(
+		consecutive_failures: u32,
+		max_backoff_rounds: usize,
+		start_backoff: Duration,
+		max_backoff: Duration,
+	) -> Self {
+		let backoff = failsafe::backoff::exponential(start_backoff, max_backoff);
+		// success_rate not used because only errors are registered
+		let policy = failsafe::failure_policy::consecutive_failures(consecutive_failures as u32, backoff);
+
+		Self {
+			backoff_round: 0,
+			max_backoff_rounds,
+			state: failsafe::StateMachine::new(policy, ()),
+		}
+	}
+
+	/// Update the state after a `faulty` call
+	pub fn register_error(&mut self) -> Error {
+		trace!(target: "circuit_breaker", "RequestGuard; backoff_round: {}/{}, state {:?}",
+			   self.backoff_round, self.max_backoff_rounds, self.state);
+
+		if self.backoff_round >= self.max_backoff_rounds {
+			Error::ReachedLimit
+		} else if self.state.is_call_permitted() {
+			self.state.on_error();
+			if self.state.is_call_permitted() {
+				Error::LetThrough
+			} else {
+				self.backoff_round += 1;
+				Error::Rejected
+			}
+		} else {
+			Error::Rejected
+		}
+	}
+
+	/// Poll the circuit breaker, to check if the call is permitted
+	pub fn is_call_permitted(&self) -> bool {
+		self.state.is_call_permitted()
+	}
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+	use std::iter;
+	use std::time::Instant;
+	use super::*;
+
+	#[test]
+	fn one_consecutive_failure_with_10_backoffs() {
+		// 1, 2, 4, 5, 5 .... 5
+		let binary_exp_backoff = vec![1_u64, 2, 4].into_iter().chain(iter::repeat(5_u64).take(7));
+		let mut guard = RequestGuard::new(1, 10, Duration::from_secs(1), Duration::from_secs(5));
+		for backoff in binary_exp_backoff {
+			assert_eq!(guard.register_error(), Error::Rejected);
+			let now = Instant::now();
+			while now.elapsed() <= Duration::from_secs(backoff) {}
+		}
+		assert_eq!(guard.register_error(), Error::ReachedLimit, "10 backoffs should be error");
+	}
+
+	#[test]
+	fn five_consecutive_failures_with_3_backoffs() {
+		let mut guard = RequestGuard::new(5, 3, Duration::from_secs(1), Duration::from_secs(30));
+
+		// register five errors
+		for _ in 0..4 {
+			assert_eq!(guard.register_error(), Error::LetThrough);
+		}
+
+		let binary_exp_backoff = [1, 2, 4];
+		for backoff in &binary_exp_backoff {
+			assert_eq!(guard.register_error(), Error::Rejected);
+			let now = Instant::now();
+			while now.elapsed() <= Duration::from_secs(*backoff) {}
+		}
+
+		assert_eq!(guard.register_error(), Error::ReachedLimit, "3 backoffs should be an error");
+	}
+}
--- a/ethcore/light/src/on_demand/response_guard.rs
+++ b/ethcore/light/src/on_demand/response_guard.rs
@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+// Copyright 2015-2018 Parity Technologies (UK) Ltd.
+// This file is part of Parity.
+
+// Parity is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// Parity is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with Parity.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+//! ResponseGuard implementation.
+//! It is responsible for the receiving end of `Pending Request` (see `OnDemand` module docs for more information)
+//! The major functionality is the following:
+//!    1) Register non-successful responses which will reported back if it fails
+//!    2) A timeout mechanism that will wait for successful response at most t seconds
+
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::fmt;
+
+use super::{ResponseError, ValidityError};
+
+/// Response guard error type
+#[derive(Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
+pub enum Error {
+	/// No majority, the error reason can't be determined
+	NoMajority(usize),
+	/// Majority, with the error reason
+	Majority(Inner, usize, usize),
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for Error {
+	fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
+		match self {
+			Error::Majority(err, majority, total) => {
+				write!(f, "Error cause was {:?}, (majority count: {} / total: {})",
+					err, majority, total)
+			}
+			Error::NoMajority(total) => {
+				write!(f, "Error cause couldn't be determined, the total number of responses was {}", total)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+
+/// Dummy type to convert a generic type with no trait bounds
+#[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug, Hash, Eq, PartialEq, PartialOrd, Ord)]
+pub enum Inner {
+	/// Bad execution proof
+	BadProof,
+	/// RLP decoding
+	Decoder,
+	/// Empty response
+	EmptyResponse,
+	/// Wrong header sequence
+	HeaderByNumber,
+	/// Too few results
+	TooFewResults,
+	/// Too many results
+	TooManyResults,
+	/// Trie error
+	Trie,
+	/// Unresolved header
+	UnresolvedHeader,
+	/// No responses expected.
+	Unexpected,
+	/// Wrong hash
+	WrongHash,
+	/// Wrong Header sequence
+	WrongHeaderSequence,
+	/// Wrong response kind
+	WrongKind,
+	/// Wrong number
+	WrongNumber,
+	/// Wrong Trie Root
+	WrongTrieRoot,
+}
+
+/// Handle and register responses that can fail
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct ResponseGuard {
+	request_start: Instant,
+	time_to_live: Duration,
+	responses: HashMap<Inner, usize>,
+	number_responses: usize,
+}
+
+impl ResponseGuard {
+	/// Constructor
+	pub fn new(time_to_live: Duration) -> Self {
+		Self {
+			request_start: Instant::now(),
+			time_to_live,
+			responses: HashMap::new(),
+			number_responses: 0,
+		}
+	}
+
+	fn into_reason(&self, err: &ResponseError<super::request::Error>) -> Inner {
+		match err {
+			ResponseError::Unexpected => Inner::Unexpected,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::BadProof) => Inner::BadProof,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::Decoder(_)) => Inner::Decoder,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::Empty) => Inner::EmptyResponse,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::HeaderByNumber) => Inner::HeaderByNumber,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::TooFewResults(_, _)) => Inner::TooFewResults,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::TooManyResults(_, _)) => Inner::TooManyResults,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::Trie(_)) => Inner::Trie,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::UnresolvedHeader(_)) => Inner::UnresolvedHeader,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::WrongHash(_, _)) => Inner::WrongHash,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::WrongHeaderSequence) => Inner::WrongHeaderSequence,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::WrongKind) => Inner::WrongKind,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::WrongNumber(_, _)) => Inner::WrongNumber,
+			ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::WrongTrieRoot(_, _)) => Inner::WrongTrieRoot,
+		}
+	}
+
+	/// Update the state after a `faulty` call
+	pub fn register_error(&mut self, err: &ResponseError<super::request::Error>) -> Result<(), Error> {
+		let err = self.into_reason(err);
+		*self.responses.entry(err).or_insert(0) += 1;
+		self.number_responses = self.number_responses.saturating_add(1);
+		trace!(target: "circuit_breaker", "ResponseGuard: {:?}", self.responses);
+		// The request has exceeded its timeout
+		if self.request_start.elapsed() >= self.time_to_live {
+			let (&err, &max_count) = self.responses.iter().max_by_key(|(_k, v)| *v).expect("got at least one element; qed");
+			let majority = self.responses.values().filter(|v| **v == max_count).count() == 1;
+			if majority {
+				Err(Error::Majority(err, max_count, self.number_responses))
+			} else {
+				Err(Error::NoMajority(self.number_responses))
+			}
+		} else {
+			Ok(())
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+	use std::thread;
+	use super::*;
+
+	#[test]
+	fn test_basic_by_majority() {
+		let mut guard = ResponseGuard::new(Duration::from_secs(5));
+		guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::Empty)).unwrap();
+		guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Unexpected).unwrap();
+		guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Unexpected).unwrap();
+		guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Unexpected).unwrap();
+		thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(5));
+
+		assert_eq!(guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::WrongKind)), Err(Error::Majority(Inner::Unexpected, 3, 5)));
+	}
+
+	#[test]
+	fn test_no_majority() {
+		let mut guard = ResponseGuard::new(Duration::from_secs(5));
+		guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::Empty)).unwrap();
+		guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::Empty)).unwrap();
+		guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Unexpected).unwrap();
+		guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Unexpected).unwrap();
+		thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(5));
+
+		assert_eq!(guard.register_error(&ResponseError::Validity(ValidityError::WrongKind)), Err(Error::NoMajority(5)));
+	}
+}
--- a/ethcore/light/src/on_demand/tests.rs
+++ b/ethcore/light/src/on_demand/tests.rs
@ -23,10 +23,11 @@ use network::{PeerId, NodeId};
 use net::*;
 use ethereum_types::H256;
 use parking_lot::Mutex;
-use std::time::Duration;
 use ::request::{self as basic_request, Response};

 use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+use std::thread;

 use super::{request, OnDemand, Peer, HeaderRef};

@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ enum Context {
 	WithPeer(PeerId),
 	RequestFrom(PeerId, ReqId),
 	Punish(PeerId),
+	FaultyRequest,
 }

 impl EventContext for Context {
@ -44,6 +46,7 @@ impl EventContext for Context {
 			Context::WithPeer(id)
 			| Context::RequestFrom(id, _)
 			| Context::Punish(id) => id,
+			| Context::FaultyRequest => 0,
 			_ => panic!("didn't expect to have peer queried."),
 		}
 	}
@ -60,6 +63,7 @@ impl BasicContext for Context {
 	fn request_from(&self, peer_id: PeerId, _: ::request::NetworkRequests) -> Result<ReqId, Error> {
 		match *self {
 			Context::RequestFrom(id, req_id) => if peer_id == id { Ok(req_id) } else { Err(Error::NoCredits) },
+			Context::FaultyRequest => Err(Error::NoCredits),
 			_ => panic!("didn't expect to have requests dispatched."),
 		}
 	}
@ -89,7 +93,17 @@ impl Harness {
 	fn create() -> Self {
 		let cache = Arc::new(Mutex::new(Cache::new(Default::default(), Duration::from_secs(60))));
 		Harness {
-			service: OnDemand::new_test(cache),
+			service: OnDemand::new_test(
+				cache,
+				// Response `time_to_live`
+				Duration::from_secs(5),
+				// Request start backoff
+				Duration::from_secs(1),
+				// Request max backoff
+				Duration::from_secs(20),
+				super::DEFAULT_MAX_REQUEST_BACKOFF_ROUNDS,
+				super::DEFAULT_NUM_CONSECUTIVE_FAILED_REQUESTS
+			)
 		}
 	}

@ -495,3 +509,90 @@ fn fill_from_cache() {

 	assert!(recv.wait().is_ok());
 }
+
+#[test]
+fn request_without_response_should_backoff_and_then_be_dropped() {
+	let harness = Harness::create();
+	let peer_id = 0;
+	let req_id = ReqId(13);
+
+	harness.inject_peer(
+		peer_id,
+		Peer {
+			status: dummy_status(),
+			capabilities: dummy_capabilities(),
+		}
+	);
+
+	let binary_exp_backoff: Vec<u64> = vec![1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20];
+
+	let _recv = harness.service.request_raw(
+		&Context::RequestFrom(peer_id, req_id),
+		vec![request::HeaderByHash(Header::default().encoded().hash().into()).into()],
+	).unwrap();
+	assert_eq!(harness.service.pending.read().len(), 1);
+
+	for backoff in &binary_exp_backoff {
+		harness.service.dispatch_pending(&Context::FaultyRequest);
+		assert_eq!(harness.service.pending.read().len(), 1, "Request should not be dropped");
+		let now = Instant::now();
+		while now.elapsed() < Duration::from_secs(*backoff) {}
+	}
+
+	harness.service.dispatch_pending(&Context::FaultyRequest);
+	assert_eq!(harness.service.pending.read().len(), 0, "Request exceeded the 10 backoff rounds should be dropped");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn empty_responses_exceeds_limit_should_be_dropped() {
+	let harness = Harness::create();
+	let peer_id = 0;
+	let req_id = ReqId(13);
+
+	harness.inject_peer(
+		peer_id,
+		Peer {
+			status: dummy_status(),
+			capabilities: dummy_capabilities(),
+		}
+	);
+
+	let _recv = harness.service.request_raw(
+		&Context::RequestFrom(peer_id, req_id),
+		vec![request::HeaderByHash(Header::default().encoded().hash().into()).into()],
+	).unwrap();
+
+	harness.service.dispatch_pending(&Context::RequestFrom(peer_id, req_id));
+
+	assert_eq!(harness.service.pending.read().len(), 0);
+	assert_eq!(harness.service.in_transit.read().len(), 1);
+
+	let now = Instant::now();
+
+	// Send `empty responses` in the current time window
+	// Use only half of the `time_window` because we can't be sure exactly
+	// when the window started and the clock accurancy
+	while now.elapsed() < harness.service.response_time_window / 2 {
+		harness.service.on_responses(
+			&Context::RequestFrom(13, req_id),
+			req_id,
+			&[]
+		);
+		assert!(harness.service.pending.read().len() != 0);
+		let pending = harness.service.pending.write().remove(0);
+		harness.service.in_transit.write().insert(req_id, pending);
+	}
+
+	// Make sure we passed the first `time window`
+	thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(5));
+
+	// Now, response is in failure state but need another response to be `polled`
+	harness.service.on_responses(
+			&Context::RequestFrom(13, req_id),
+			req_id,
+			&[]
+	);
+
+	assert!(harness.service.in_transit.read().is_empty());
+	assert!(harness.service.pending.read().is_empty());
+}
--- a/parity/cli/mod.rs
+++ b/parity/cli/mod.rs
@ -579,13 +579,25 @@ usage! {
 			"Specify CORS header for IPFS API responses. Special options: \"all\", \"none\".",

 		["Light Client Options"]
-			ARG arg_on_demand_retry_count: (Option<usize>) = None, or |c: &Config| c.light.as_ref()?.on_demand_retry_count,
-			"--on-demand-retry-count=[RETRIES]",
-			"Specify the query retry count.",
+			ARG arg_on_demand_response_time_window: (Option<u64>) = None, or |c: &Config| c.light.as_ref()?.on_demand_response_time_window,
+			"--on-demand-time-window=[S]",
+			"Specify the maximum time to wait for a successful response",

-			ARG arg_on_demand_inactive_time_limit: (Option<u64>) = None, or |c: &Config| c.light.as_ref()?.on_demand_inactive_time_limit,
-			"--on-demand-inactive-time-limit=[MS]",
-			"Specify light client query inactive time limit. O for no limit.",
+			ARG arg_on_demand_request_backoff_start: (Option<u64>) = None, or |c: &Config| c.light.as_ref()?.on_demand_request_backoff_start,
+			"--on-demand-start-backoff=[S]",
+			"Specify light client initial backoff time for a request",
+
+			ARG arg_on_demand_request_backoff_max: (Option<u64>) = None, or |c: &Config| c.light.as_ref()?.on_demand_request_backoff_max,
+			"--on-demand-end-backoff=[S]",
+			"Specify light client maximum backoff time for a request",
+
+			ARG arg_on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max: (Option<usize>) = None, or |c: &Config| c.light.as_ref()?.on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max,
+			"--on-demand-max-backoff-rounds=[TIMES]",
+			"Specify light client maximum number of backoff iterations for a request",
+
+			ARG arg_on_demand_request_consecutive_failures: (Option<usize>) = None, or |c: &Config| c.light.as_ref()?.on_demand_request_consecutive_failures,
+			"--on-demand-consecutive-failures=[TIMES]",
+			"Specify light client the number of failures for a request until it gets exponentially backed off",

 		["Secret Store Options"]
 			FLAG flag_no_secretstore: (bool) = false, or |c: &Config| c.secretstore.as_ref()?.disable.clone(),
@ -1402,8 +1414,11 @@ struct Whisper {
 #[derive(Default, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
 struct Light {
-	on_demand_retry_count: Option<usize>,
-	on_demand_inactive_time_limit: Option<u64>,
+	on_demand_response_time_window: Option<u64>,
+	on_demand_request_backoff_start: Option<u64>,
+	on_demand_request_backoff_max: Option<u64>,
+	on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max: Option<usize>,
+	on_demand_request_consecutive_failures: Option<usize>,
 }

 #[cfg(test)]
@ -1820,8 +1835,11 @@ mod tests {
 			arg_snapshot_threads: None,

 			// -- Light options.
-			arg_on_demand_retry_count: Some(15),
-			arg_on_demand_inactive_time_limit: Some(15000),
+			arg_on_demand_response_time_window: Some(2000),
+			arg_on_demand_request_backoff_start: Some(9000),
+			arg_on_demand_request_backoff_max: Some(15000),
+			arg_on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max: Some(100),
+			arg_on_demand_request_consecutive_failures: Some(1),

 			// -- Whisper options.
 			flag_whisper: false,
@ -2075,8 +2093,11 @@ mod tests {
 				num_verifiers: None,
 			}),
 			light: Some(Light {
-				on_demand_retry_count: Some(12),
-				on_demand_inactive_time_limit: Some(20000),
+				on_demand_response_time_window: Some(2000),
+				on_demand_request_backoff_start: Some(9000),
+				on_demand_request_backoff_max: Some(15000),
+				on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max: Some(10),
+				on_demand_request_consecutive_failures: Some(1),
 			}),
 			snapshots: Some(Snapshots {
 				disable_periodic: Some(true),
--- a/parity/cli/tests/config.full.toml
+++ b/parity/cli/tests/config.full.toml
@ -157,8 +157,11 @@ scale_verifiers = true
 num_verifiers = 6

 [light]
-on_demand_retry_count = 15
-on_demand_inactive_time_limit = 15000
+on_demand_response_time_window = 2000
+on_demand_request_backoff_start = 9000
+on_demand_request_backoff_max = 15000
+on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max = 100
+on_demand_request_consecutive_failures = 1

 [snapshots]
 disable_periodic = false
--- a/parity/cli/tests/config.toml
+++ b/parity/cli/tests/config.toml
@ -71,8 +71,11 @@ fat_db = "off"
 scale_verifiers = false

 [light]
-on_demand_retry_count = 12
-on_demand_inactive_time_limit = 20000
+on_demand_response_time_window = 2000
+on_demand_request_backoff_start = 9000
+on_demand_request_backoff_max = 15000
+on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max = 10
+on_demand_request_consecutive_failures = 1

 [snapshots]
 disable_periodic = true
--- a/parity/configuration.rs
+++ b/parity/configuration.rs
@ -397,8 +397,11 @@ impl Configuration {
 				whisper: whisper_config,
 				no_hardcoded_sync: self.args.flag_no_hardcoded_sync,
 				max_round_blocks_to_import: self.args.arg_max_round_blocks_to_import,
-				on_demand_retry_count: self.args.arg_on_demand_retry_count,
-				on_demand_inactive_time_limit: self.args.arg_on_demand_inactive_time_limit,
+				on_demand_response_time_window: self.args.arg_on_demand_response_time_window,
+				on_demand_request_backoff_start: self.args.arg_on_demand_request_backoff_start,
+				on_demand_request_backoff_max: self.args.arg_on_demand_request_backoff_max,
+				on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max: self.args.arg_on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max,
+				on_demand_request_consecutive_failures: self.args.arg_on_demand_request_consecutive_failures,
 			};
 			Cmd::Run(run_cmd)
 		};
@ -1449,8 +1452,11 @@ mod tests {
 			no_persistent_txqueue: false,
 			whisper: Default::default(),
 			max_round_blocks_to_import: 12,
-			on_demand_retry_count: None,
-			on_demand_inactive_time_limit: None,
+			on_demand_response_time_window: None,
+			on_demand_request_backoff_start: None,
+			on_demand_request_backoff_max: None,
+			on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max: None,
+			on_demand_request_consecutive_failures: None,
 		};
 		expected.secretstore_conf.enabled = cfg!(feature = "secretstore");
 		expected.secretstore_conf.http_enabled = cfg!(feature = "secretstore");
--- a/parity/run.rs
+++ b/parity/run.rs
@ -136,8 +136,11 @@ pub struct RunCmd {
 	pub whisper: ::whisper::Config,
 	pub no_hardcoded_sync: bool,
 	pub max_round_blocks_to_import: usize,
-	pub on_demand_retry_count: Option<usize>,
-	pub on_demand_inactive_time_limit: Option<u64>,
+	pub on_demand_response_time_window: Option<u64>,
+	pub on_demand_request_backoff_start: Option<u64>,
+	pub on_demand_request_backoff_max: Option<u64>,
+	pub on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max: Option<usize>,
+	pub on_demand_request_consecutive_failures: Option<usize>,
 }

 // node info fetcher for the local store.
@ -216,12 +219,31 @@ fn execute_light_impl(cmd: RunCmd, logger: Arc<RotatingLogger>) -> Result<Runnin
 	config.queue.verifier_settings = cmd.verifier_settings;

 	// start on_demand service.
+
+	let response_time_window = cmd.on_demand_response_time_window.map_or(
+		::light::on_demand::DEFAULT_RESPONSE_TIME_TO_LIVE,
+		|s| Duration::from_secs(s)
+	);
+
+	let request_backoff_start = cmd.on_demand_request_backoff_start.map_or(
+		::light::on_demand::DEFAULT_REQUEST_MIN_BACKOFF_DURATION,
+		|s| Duration::from_secs(s)
+	);
+
+	let request_backoff_max = cmd.on_demand_request_backoff_max.map_or(
+		::light::on_demand::DEFAULT_REQUEST_MAX_BACKOFF_DURATION,
+		|s| Duration::from_secs(s)
+	);
+
 	let on_demand = Arc::new({
-		let mut on_demand = ::light::on_demand::OnDemand::new(cache.clone());
-		on_demand.default_retry_number(cmd.on_demand_retry_count.unwrap_or(::light::on_demand::DEFAULT_RETRY_COUNT));
-		on_demand.query_inactive_time_limit(cmd.on_demand_inactive_time_limit.map(Duration::from_millis)
-																				.unwrap_or(::light::on_demand::DEFAULT_QUERY_TIME_LIMIT));
-		on_demand
+		::light::on_demand::OnDemand::new(
+			cache.clone(),
+			response_time_window,
+			request_backoff_start,
+			request_backoff_max,
+			cmd.on_demand_request_backoff_rounds_max.unwrap_or(::light::on_demand::DEFAULT_MAX_REQUEST_BACKOFF_ROUNDS),
+			cmd.on_demand_request_consecutive_failures.unwrap_or(::light::on_demand::DEFAULT_NUM_CONSECUTIVE_FAILED_REQUESTS)
+		)
 	});

 	let sync_handle = Arc::new(RwLock::new(Weak::new()));
--- a/rpc/src/v1/helpers/errors.rs
+++ b/rpc/src/v1/helpers/errors.rs
@ -523,8 +523,8 @@ pub fn filter_block_not_found(id: BlockId) -> Error {
 pub fn on_demand_error(err: OnDemandError) -> Error {
 	match err {
 		OnDemandError(OnDemandErrorKind::ChannelCanceled(e), _) => on_demand_cancel(e),
-		OnDemandError(OnDemandErrorKind::MaxAttemptReach(_), _) => max_attempts_reached(&err),
-		OnDemandError(OnDemandErrorKind::TimeoutOnNewPeers(_,_), _) => timeout_new_peer(&err),
+		OnDemandError(OnDemandErrorKind::RequestLimit, _) => timeout_new_peer(&err),
+		OnDemandError(OnDemandErrorKind::BadResponse(_), _) => max_attempts_reached(&err),
 		_ => on_demand_others(&err),
 	}
 }