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Challenges with Integration

Integration in distributed systems often faces hurdles. Here are the key challenges we encountered and how we addressed them:

1. Database Connection Issues​

  • Problem: The MQTT backend service was failing to persist database connections, causing intermittent failures.
  • Root Cause:
    • Connection pooling misconfiguration.
    • Timeout settings too aggressive.
    • Resource leaks in the MQTT handler

2. Communication Gaps​

  • Problem: Unclear requirements led to mismatched expectations on protocol and implementation.
  • Root Cause:
    • No formal API contract between teams.
    • Assumptions about MQTT QoS levels (At least once vs Exactly once).
    • Missing documentation on error handling expectations.

Prevention for Future Integrations​

  1. Integration Contract First - Define protocols before coding begins
  2. Shadow Testing - Run new integrations in parallel with old systems
  3. Circuit Breakers - Prevent cascading failures during integration