How to Separate Django Channels WebSockets into a Scalable Microservice for a Multiplayer Game?
I have a Django web application that includes a multiplayer game feature, using Django Channels for real-time communication over WebSockets. Currently, the WebSockets functionality (real-time game updates, player interactions, etc.) is handled directly within the main Django application.
As the project grows, I'm considering separating the WebSockets/game logic into its own microservice for scalability and maintainability. My goals are to have a dedicated microservice that handles all real-time communication and game logic, and to be able to scale this service independently of the main Django web app.
Here are the specific details of my setup:
- Backend Framework: Django (with Django Channels for WebSockets)
- Current Architecture: Monolithic Django app with WebSockets handled directly in the same codebase - as the rest of the application
- Desired Architecture: Separate microservice dedicated to handling WebSocket connections and game logic, which can be scaled independently
Questions:
- What are the best practices for separating WebSocket real-time communication into a dedicated microservice?
- What tools or technologies can be useful for building this scalable WebSocket-based microservice? I'd like not to use another django services but something lighter
- How should communication between the main Django app and the WebSocket microservice be handled (e.g., API, message queues, etc.)?
- How should i manage authentication?
Initial Attempts at Decoupling: I tried separating the WebSocket logic into a new Django app within the same project, hoping that this would let me manage it more easily. I expected that this would make scaling the WebSocket part easier while keeping it in the same framework.