Logging for Distributed Systems

Logging for distributed systems

Logging in distributed systems presents unique challenges and considerations compared to traditional monolithic applications. The format of logs must balance human readability and automated processing. Distributed systems need robust log forwarding mechanisms to ensure log messages are not lost during network disruptions or component failures. With the huge amount of logs generated, the cost of storage, storage management software, and staff to maintain this infrastructure becomes a significant concern. In this lesson, we'll touch upon these topics and discuss options to deal with them.

Log format

The choice of log format plays a crucial role in the efficiency, usability, and effectiveness of log management. Some of the common log formats used in distributed systems are plaintext, JSON, and binary. Each format has its advantages and drawbacks. The choice depends on various factors, including ease of parsing, human readability, and the need for additional metadata.