JSON Web Token

Website

jwt.io

$ Details

Categories

#Identity Provider #Identity And Access Management #SSO #Development

etcd

Website

etcd.io

$ Details

Categories

#Web Servers #Web And Application Servers #Load Balancer / Reverse Proxy #Developer Tools

JSON Web Token features and specs

• Stateless
  Since JWTs are self-contained, they do not require server-side sessions, enabling stateless authentication and reducing server memory usage.
• Scalability
  JWTs can easily be used in distributed systems and microservices architectures due to their stateless nature, facilitating horizontal scaling.
• Decentralized Issuance
  Multiple issuers can create and sign their own tokens, allowing for more decentralized and flexible authentication mechanisms.
• Performance
  JWTs eliminate the need for database lookups during authenticating requests, as the token contains all the necessary information, which can lead to performance improvements.
• Cross-domain and Mobile Compatible
  JWTs are widely supported by different platforms and can easily be used in cross-domain situations and with mobile applications.
• Security
  JWTs can be signed and optionally encrypted, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the data they carry.

Possible disadvantages of JSON Web Token

• Size
  JWTs tend to be larger than session IDs, which can increase the amount of data transmitted during requests.
• Expiration Handling
  Managing token expiration can be complex. Once a token is issued, it remains valid until it expires or is explicitly revoked.
• No Built-in Revocation
  Unlike sessions, JWTs cannot be easily revoked server-side, making it difficult to immediately invalidate tokens without additional mechanisms.
• Security Risks
  If a JWT is intercepted or compromised, it can be used until it expires. Thus, it should be properly secured and transmitted over HTTPS.
• Token Overhead
  Embedding too much information in the token payload can lead to performance overhead and potential data exposure risks.
• Complexity
  Implementing JWT correctly requires a thorough understanding of security practices and token lifecycle management, which can add complexity to the system.

etcd features and specs

• Consistency
  etcd uses the Raft consensus algorithm to ensure strong consistency across distributed systems, making it ideal for scenarios where reliable data storage is critical.
• High Availability
  By distributing data across multiple nodes, etcd ensures high availability and fault tolerance, allowing services to remain operational even if some nodes fail.
• Simplicity
  etcd offers a simple key-value store interface, making it easy to understand and integrate with other services without requiring complex configurations.
• Performance
  Optimized for fast reads and writes, etcd can handle large volumes of concurrent requests, making it suitable for high-performance applications.
• Secure
  etcd provides excellent security features, including SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit and role-based access control to ensure that data access is tightly controlled.

Possible disadvantages of etcd

• Resource Intensive
  Running etcd, especially in a clustered configuration, can be resource-intensive, requiring significant CPU and memory to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Operational Complexity
  Although etcd itself is simple, managing a distributed etcd cluster can become complex, requiring expertise to configure and maintain properly.
• Data Volume Limitations
  etcd is not designed as a general-purpose database and has limitations on how much data it can efficiently store, typically up to a few gigabytes per cluster.
• Write Throughput
  The write throughput of etcd can be a bottleneck under heavy load, as it needs to ensure data consistency across nodes, which can introduce latency.
• Limited Query Capabilities
  As a key-value store, etcd lacks the advanced querying capabilities of traditional databases, which may limit its use for complex data retrieval operations.

JSON Web Tokens Suck - Randall Degges (DevNet Create 2018)

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