Elektra  0.8.18
Plugin: semlock

This global semlock plugin introduces a read lock while GET and a read/write lock while SET.

A semaphore is used for the synchronisation and the implemented algorithm favors the writer, because updates should be propagated soon as possible.

The algorithm is described here.

The usage of this plugin could lead to deadlocks, due to an ongoing discussion (-10000) (Link).

/dev/shm

Is the location where the semaphores will be saved. /dev/shm should be mounted as tempfs, otherwise the semaphores can not be created (this issue only appears on older systems). More information here.