Websocket Reliability for Realtime IDV

Realtime identity verification (IDV) is becoming increasingly crucial for modern applications. Traditional HTTP polling introduces latency and inefficiency. Websockets offer a persistent, bi-directional communication channel, enabling faster responses and a smoother user experience. However, websockets also introduce new challenges related to reliability and scalability. This post explores best practices for building robust websocket infrastructure specifically for identity verification workflows.

Key Takeaway 1 Websocket connections are stateful, requiring careful management of connection lifecycle and error handling.

Key Takeaway 2 Implementing robust reconnection logic and message queuing is essential for handling intermittent network issues.

Key Takeaway 3 Proper authentication and authorization are vital to secure websocket connections and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive identity data.

Key Takeaway 4 Using a dedicated websocket infrastructure with scaling and monitoring features improves performance and resilience.

Understanding the Challenges of Websocket Reliability

Unlike HTTP, websockets maintain a persistent connection between the client and server. While beneficial for real-time data transfer, this persistence introduces vulnerabilities. Network instability, server outages, or client-side errors can abruptly terminate connections. If not handled correctly, connection loss leads to data inconsistencies, failed verifications, and a poor user experience.

The inherent challenges include:

• Connection Drops: Network hiccups, firewall rules, or server restarts can cause unexpected disconnections.
• Message Loss: Packets can be lost in transit due to network congestion or errors.
• Scalability: Maintaining persistent connections for a large number of concurrent users can strain server resources.
• State Management: Tracking connection state (e.g., verification stage, user data) is crucial for resuming workflows after a disconnection.

Designing for Resiliency: Connection Management & Reconnection

A core principle of reliable websocket systems is proactive reconnection logic. Clients should automatically attempt to reconnect if a connection is lost. Implement an exponential backoff strategy to avoid overwhelming the server with rapid reconnection attempts.

Example Reconnection Logic (JavaScript):

function connect() {
  const ws = new WebSocket('wss://your-idv-server.com/ws');

  ws.onopen = () => {
    console.log('Connected to websocket');
  };

  ws.onclose = (event) => {
    console.log('Disconnected from websocket:', event.code, event.reason);
    reconnect();
  };

  ws.onerror = (error) => {
    console.error('Websocket error:', error);
  };

  return ws;
}

let reconnectInterval = 1000; // Initial interval (1 second)

function reconnect() {
  setTimeout(() => {
    const ws = connect();
    reconnectInterval *= 2; // Exponential backoff
  }, reconnectInterval);
}

Server-side, implement a mechanism to track active connections. Upon reconnection, the server should be able to identify the user and resume the verification process from where it left off. This requires storing session state (e.g., in Redis or a similar in-memory data store) associated with each websocket connection.

Ensuring Data Integrity: Message Queuing and Acknowledgements

To mitigate message loss, consider using a message queuing system (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka) as an intermediary between the client and server. The client publishes messages to the queue, and the server consumes them. This provides a buffer against temporary network disruptions. Implement message acknowledgements to confirm successful delivery and re-transmit lost messages.

Example Message Flow with Queueing:

1. Client sends verification request to the websocket server.
2. Server publishes the request to a message queue.
3. Server begins processing the request.
4. Server sends acknowledgement (ACK) message back to the client via websocket.
5. If the client doesn't receive ACK within a timeout, it re-sends the message.

Securing Websocket Connections with Identity Protocols

Security is paramount when dealing with sensitive identity data. Always use WSS (Websocket Secure) to encrypt communication between the client and server. Implement robust authentication and authorization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access. Consider using JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) to securely transmit user identity information within websocket messages. Properly validate these tokens on the server side.

Beyond basic authentication, consider using OpenID Connect for WebSockets to establish a secure and standardized identity layer for your websocket communication. This allows you to leverage existing identity providers and manage user authentication centrally.

Leveraging Database Systems for State Persistence

While in-memory data stores like Redis are excellent for fast session state management, long-term persistence requires integration with a database system. Use a database to store verification history, audit logs, and user-related data associated with each websocket session. Consider using a NoSQL database like MongoDB for flexible schema and scalability. Ensure proper indexing and query optimization for efficient data retrieval.

How Didit Helps

Didit's identity platform provides a robust and reliable websocket infrastructure for realtime IDV. We handle the complexities of connection management, message queuing, and security, allowing you to focus on building your core application. Our platform includes:

• Automatic Reconnection: Our SDKs automatically handle reconnection logic with exponential backoff.
• Message Queuing: Underlying infrastructure utilizes robust queuing systems for data integrity.
• Secure Communication: WSS encryption and JWT-based authentication ensure secure data transmission.
• Scalable Architecture: Our platform is designed to handle a large number of concurrent websocket connections.
• Realtime ID Processing: Leverage our robust ID verification modules via websockets for instant results.

Ready to Get Started?

Ready to build a robust and reliable realtime IDV system? Explore our interactive demo or sign up for a Didit Business Console account to learn more about our platform.