Have you ever felt certain that a distributed system you were working on was perfectly set up, only to encounter unexpected failures that threw off your entire project? If so, you’re not alone. Many developers, myself included, have experienced this frustrating reality when dealing with distributed systems.

In this article, I delve into the eight mistakes developers often make in distributed computing. These mistakes are surprisingly common, even among experienced professionals, and they stem from assumptions that just don’t hold up in real-world scenarios. Here’s a summary of these critical points and how you can avoid falling into the same traps.

It’s easy to assume that the network will always function smoothly, but the reality is far different. Networks are prone to issues like hardware failures, server crashes, or configuration errors. To build resilient systems, anticipate these potential failures rather than assuming everything will go as planned.

Latency is a fact of life, particularly when your application involves multiple servers and networks. These delays in communication are inevitable, so don’t design as if data transfer is instantaneous. Instead, acknowledge that latency exists and implement mechanisms to manage it.

While it may seem that bandwidth is abundant, when dealing with large-scale distributed systems, it can become a bottleneck. To ensure smoother performance, optimize data transfer and minimize bandwidth-heavy operations, rather than assuming the network can handle unlimited data seamlessly.

In distributed computing, you can’t assume that security is inherent to the network. Encryption and other security protocols are essential to safeguard data as it travels across potentially unsecured networks.

Networks are dynamic, with topology that can shift and change over time. A distributed system that fails to account for these changes may experience unexpected breakdowns. Ensure your design allows for adaptability in the face of network evolution.

With many stakeholders involved, the network rarely has a single administrator. Distributed systems must be designed to handle multiple administrators with various permissions and controls, instead of assuming a single point of command.

Data transport across networks is not free; there are performance and monetary costs involved. By factoring in these transport costs, you can make informed decisions on data transfer frequency and volume, optimizing your system’s performance.

Networks are rarely homogeneous; instead, they consist of various devices, protocols, and configurations. Systems designed for homogeneity may fail to operate correctly when faced with this diversity. To avoid this, build for flexibility and compatibility across different network environments.

Distributed computing is both powerful and challenging. By recognizing these common pitfalls and taking proactive steps to avoid them, you can build systems that are resilient, scalable, and responsive. If you’re interested in a deeper dive into each of these areas, my recent video covers them all in more detail. Check it out here: Watch the video.

Whether you’re just starting with distributed systems or looking to fine-tune your skills, avoiding these pitfalls can help ensure your projects are smooth and successful.