Enhancing Kafka Message Publishing: Improving Error Logging for Batch Failures

Problem:

Java client for Apache Kafka is missing error logs when attempting to publish messages to a Kafka topic that is full on the broker side. Despite expecting error logs in such cases, the logs only show warnings and traces, hindering quick identification of the root cause.

Solution:

Main solution steps suggested to resolve the issue are as follows:

• Java Code Modification:
  • Change the logging logic in the Java codebase to include error logs.
  • Add log.error("Error Message"); statements within catch blocks to log errors appropriately.
• Logging Properties Configuration:
  • Adjust the log4j.properties file to include Error severity for logging errors.
  • Initialize logger to ensure Error statements are logged as intended.
• Additional Recommendations:
  • Producer Configuration: Configure producer to handle errors using acks setting, ensuring reliability.
  • Monitoring: Implement monitoring for Kafka topics to track metrics and trigger alerts when limits are reached.
  • Log Configuration: Adjust Kafka’s log configuration to log errors or warnings based on specific conditions.
  • Topic Configuration: Modify Kafka topics’ configurations to optimize performance and prevent topics from filling up.
  • Implement Backpressure: Introduce backpressure mechanisms to manage message production and prevent topics from becoming full.

Conclusion:

By implementing these changes, the client aims to enhance the observability and diagnostic capabilities of their Kafka message publishing system, improving resilience and reliability. Thorough testing and careful consideration of risks are emphasized to ensure successful implementation.