RabbitMQ Common Mistakes: Chapter Three

As a RabbitMQ user, consultant, and now a member of the RabbitMQ team, I've noticed recurring mistakes that many users still make. In this series of posts, I will highlight these mistakes and offer practical solutions to help you avoid them. By the end of this series, you'll learn how to optimize your usage of RabbitMQ and enhance your system's efficiency.

Chapter Three: It works. We won't upgrade

RabbitMQ can run for years if used correctly, and many users choose not to update because "it works."😅

You need to upgrade at some point, and it isn't always possible to do so between different RabbitMQ versions. It can be challenging if you're using an outdated version.

So, here's how to upgrade

For users still on version 3.x:

• Please refer to the documentation at https://www.rabbitmq.com/docs/3.13/upgrade.

For those looking to upgrade to version 4.x:

• Please refer to the documentation at https://www.rabbitmq.com/docs/upgrade. Pay attention to the "important" notes there.

Best Practices to follow

The RabbitMQ upgrade is usually safe and easy, but some best practices can help ensure a smooth upgrade.

1. Plan systematic upgrades.
2. Read the documentation upgrade.
3. Read the release notes for the new versions to decide whether to upgrade. ( You don't need to upgrade every single version)
4. Stay updated for the EOF
5. Try the upgrade and the versions in the test environment.
6. Keep the clients updated.
7. Ensure that clients can reconnect correctly after an upgrade or any disconnections. While this point isn't mandatory, it contributes to creating resilient architectures.

Conclusions

I know it seems silly, but I have seen many users wait too long before upgrading. It is crucial to have an upgrade plan. It does not mean you need to upgrade every release, but at least it's inside the EOF

Need help? Check https://www.rabbitmq.com/contact#consulting for community and commercial support.

Happy RabbitMQ messaging! 🎉