Message broker
Message broker
(also middleware, message queue)
Message broker definition
A message broker, also known as middleware or a message queue, is a software application that mediates communication between two or more independent systems. It works by translating messages from the sender’s system to the receiver’s protocol, ensuring a streamlined information flow, and reducing system integrations’ complexity.
See also: internet security, network security protocols, end-to-end encryption, network intrusion protection system
Message broker examples
- E-commerce transactions: Message brokers help to process payments by communicating between user interfaces, payment gateways, and bank systems.
- IoT applications: In IoT ecosystems, message brokers manage and control the communication between a large number of devices, sensors, and systems.
Advantages and disadvantages of message brokers
Pros
- Reduces complexity: By mediating communication, it simplifies the interaction between different systems.
- Scalability: Message brokers can manage increased message loads, making them ideal for expanding applications.
Cons
- Dependency: Applications become dependent on the message broker, which can become a single point of failure.
- Performance overhead: Message translation and delivery might cause performance lag in high-volume data systems.
Using message brokers
- Ensure that the message broker has robust failover and disaster recovery capabilities.
- Depending on the use case, select a suitable message broker model – publish/subscribe, point-to-point, or request/reply.