Update Propagation
An update propagation is an immediate attempt to apply one change to all replicas of the directory in which the change was just made. Its main benefit is that it delivers each change in an efficient and timely way. Unlike a skulk operation, however, update propagation does not guarantee that the change gets made in all replicas. If a particular replica is not available, the update propagation does not fail; the change simply does not get made in that replica. The skulk operation ensures that, when the replica is available again, it becomes consistent with the other replicas in its set.
You can tune the degree of persistence that CDS uses in attempting an update propagation - or prevent propagation altogether - by adjusting a directory attribute called CDS_Convergence. Convergence also affects the frequency of skulks on a directory. (See Managing CDS Directories for details on viewing and changing a directory's convergence.)