In 2019, I had the privilege of contributing to the development and maintenance of a Public WiFi system for CTM, a leading telecommunications provider in Macau. This innovative system enables seamless Wi-Fi access for CTM users as part of their telecom business plans, empowering users with reliable connectivity in public spaces.
This project marked my first extensive experience with microservices architecture. I learned the benefits of dividing a large system into smaller, specialized services that focus on distinct business functions. Each microservice communicates through a dedicated gateway, which facilitates efficient load balancing and enhances overall system performance. This modular approach not only streamlined development and maintenance but also provided the scalability needed for a service as dynamic as public WiFi.
A critical aspect of this project was the emphasis on high availability. Unlike my previous experiences, this project required meticulous design to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. In a public WiFi environment, reliability is paramount, as many users depend on the service for connectivity. We implemented advanced load balancing solutions using F5 and Nginx, and organized critical components such as the ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana) into clusters. These configurations ensured that the system remained operational and responsive, even during potential failures.
Through my work on the Public WiFi system at CTM, I gained invaluable experience in microservices and high-availability system design. This project not only enriched my technical skill set but also highlighted the importance of dependable network solutions in today’s telecommunications landscape. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a service that enhances connectivity for users in Macau, and I look forward to applying this knowledge to future projects.