Chaos

Testing Strategies for Distributed Systems Testing a distributed system is different from testing a single program. Network delays, partial failures, and competing services can push a system into states that are hard to predict. A good strategy helps you spot issues before users do and keeps deployments safe. Core strategies work best when they cover different layers. Start with fast unit tests for individual components, then add service integration tests that verify interfaces, and finally use contract tests to lock in API expectations across teams. End-to-end tests are valuable for user journeys, but run them selectively to avoid slowing delivery. In parallel, stress the system with realistic traffic to observe behavior under load. ...

Building Resilient Networks: Design for Failure Building resilient networks means planning for failure, not hoping it won’t happen. When a router drops a link or a data center loses power, a well designed network keeps traffic moving or recovers quickly. The goal is predictable behavior under stress, with minimal user impact. Clear design choices and practical practices make this possible for teams of any size. Redundancy is the first rule. Use diverse paths, hardware, and vendors where possible. Duplicate critical components like routers, switches, and links, and place them in separate locations. If one path fails, another takes over without a long delay. Pairing redundant data paths with automated failover reduces single points of failure and speeds recovery. ...