Dependency on external parties has been reduced for an improved stability of the software

We recently switched parties for the hosting of the Domain Name System (DNS) for a number of our fresh produce products. The DNS takes care of the translation from 'computer language' to 'human language'. Computers communicate using IP addresses; these are unique codes that computers get when they are connected to the internet. Every website or online application therefore has its own DNS registration. What does this mean for the product and for you as a user of the product? In conversation with Developer and Cloud & Architect specialist Karsten, we talk about the benefits for the product and for you as a user.

Explanation: what is a DNS?
Domain names use DNS, which stands for Domain Name System. A DNS server can be compared to a 'telephone directory' that indicates where the server of a website, such as www.greencommerce.nl, is located.

Nowadays you increasingly hear on the news that a 'DDoS attack on the DNS' shuts down entire systems. This does not mean that the system itself is under attack, but that the 'telephone directory' is overloaded, so that certain servers can no longer be found. Very frustrating for the people who work with the system, but also for the people who work on the system.

We recently reduced our DNS dependency for FreshBabel and other applications by transferring the hosting to Azure. Karsten begins: “Azure is Microsoft's cloud platform where various services can be run in the cloud by means of apps. For GreenCommerce we have been using the Azure platform for years for the development process and for running our products in the cloud, mainly for our linked online applications such as FreshBabel, WMS and the GreenCommerce Apps.”

Because all our software is based on Microsoft techniques (both with our servers and in the cloud at Azure), Microsoft Azure was also the logical partner in DNS hosting. “The DNS registration is now stored with the same party as the system itself. As a result, we are no longer dependent on two different parties, but on one external party. As a result, the chance of an external malfunction has also decreased.”

“At jem-id we are constantly improving the security and stability of our applications. It is very frustrating when this is compromised by the dependence on external parties. After all, such a DDoS attack is not an attack on our servers, but it does cause delays in our system. That is why we conducted a study a while ago into the possibilities of reducing dependence on these external parties. Although it is not our 'problem', we do feel the responsibility because it directly affects our applications.”

The research soon turned out to give a positive result. The next step was to find the right moment for the transition. A few weeks ago, a good time came, with the result that users have not noticed the switch to Azure. “Due to the test running, we were able to complete the transition quickly and silently. In addition to hosting, Azure also offers technical tooling that we may be able to use in the future. As a result, GreenCommerce and the linked applications will be able to run more stable than before.”

The first step has been successfully completed, but the second phase of monitoring is just as important. Every 10 minutes, all services are automatically checked to see if they are still online. This happens every day, so we quickly notice if a service gives an error. Due to this monitoring, the conversion of the DNS registration could also be closely monitored.

Karsten concludes: “We intend to also examine the dependence on other external parties. For example, we use the services of Interconnect for our applications and websites. We have recently created a fallback construction for this, so that in the event of a malfunction at Interconnect, it is possible to switch to services from another party. We also want to host this fallback situation at Azure in the future.”

Questions or more information?

Do you have questions about this conversation or would you like more information? Contact us at info@greencommerce.nl or call +31 174 - 642 622.