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Introduction
Zookeeper is an open-source configuration and a synchronisation service for distributed apps. It is a service that allows Kafka to manage a large number of servers in a distributed manner. Zookeeper acts as a centralised service in Apache Kafka. The Zookeeper provides distributed coordination to the apps in Apache Kafka.
In this Blog, we will discuss the role of the Zookeeper in the Kafka cluster along with the features of the Zookeeper.
Zookeeper
Zookeeper is a framework that was created by Yahoo to make access to their apps more reliable. In System architecture, the Zookeeper plays a very big and vital role. It works in the shadow of data tools such as Apache Spark or Kafka. It is a distributed, open-source configuration and also acts as a synchronisation service for distributed apps.
Features of Zookeeper
To understand more about the Zookeeper and the role of the Zookeeper in Kafka, let’s discuss some of the features and benefits of the Zookeeper.
It acts as a naming service and attaches names to every node for easy identification of nodes.
It can update information about every node across the cluster.
In Zookeeper, the status of every node is managed in real time. So there are very few chances of error.
It also saves the data automatically. In any emergency, it helps the cluster to recover the data quickly.
Zookeeper is also reliable. When one or more than one node fails, the system keeps performing as if nothing happened.
Zookeeper is simple, as it stores files and directories in a hierarchical namespace.
How Zookeeper support Kafka?
Zookeeper acts as a centralised service in Apache Kafka. When any application is deployed in a distributed system, the Zookeeper provides distributed coordination. It also acts as a configuration information maintenance provider.
Now let’s understand how Kafka uses Zookeeper in an efficient way.
Zookeeper keeps track of data related to Kafka topics, brokers and consumers.
It also keeps track of broker membership and topic configuration.
It also stores configuration topics and chooses a leader for every partition.
Role of Zookeeper in Kafka
Now we know how the Zookeeper support Kafka. Let's discuss in detail the role of the Zookeeper in Kafka.
There are two major roles of Zookeeper in Kafka.
In Kafka brokers
In Kafka Consumers
Kafka Brokers
Apache Kafka contains a network of machines called Kafka brokers. We should note that a single Kafka server is called a Kafka broker. They are servers that are used to receive and send data.
A Kafka broker is considered a vital part of a Kafka server. Its main function comes in partition management, message duplication and fault tolerance. Zookeeper has various roles to play within Kafka brokers.
It collaborates with Kafka broker to enable other clients and brokers.
It keeps track of all the active brokers and their connection information.
It also keeps track of the membership information about the active brokers.
The Zookeeper make sure only one broker is the controller at a time. It makes the controller elections process quite simple and easier.
It also sends an alert to every broker in case of an emergency.
Kafka Consumers
As we know, the Kafka ecosystem mainly consists of brokers and consumers. This ecosystem helps in data streaming. Kafka consumers are the applications or end users that get the data from Kafka servers. They produce real-time messages.
We know that Kafka consumers are the end users. They can target a specific server and get the data from that server. The Zookeeper collaborate with Kafka consumers to watch and perform partition when a consumer joins or leaves the consumer group.
Let us look at some of the crucial roles of the Zookeeper in Kafka consumers.
Its main job is to arrange the consumer groups in Kafka.
The Zookeeper also track the active consumer and their connection information.
It also keeps track of the membership information of the active consumers.
It fairly partitions the consumer groups when a consumer joins or leaves. In this way, it makes the process of group membership management simple.
Zookeeper also saves the metadata of the consumer side by side, which helps keep track of a single consumer or a consumer group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Apache Kafka?
It is an event streaming platform. Streaming event data is gathered, processed, and stored without a clear beginning or end.
What is Zookeeper?
Zookeeper is a framework that was created by Yahoo. Its main job was to make access to Yahoo's apps more reliable. It works in the shadow of data tools like Apache Spark or Kafka.
What are the benefits of Zookeeper?
Zookeeper acts as a naming service and attaches names to every node for easy identification of nodes. It also can update information about every node across the cluster.
How kafka uses Zookeeper?
Zookeeper acts as a centralised service in Apache Kafka. The Zookeeper provides distributed coordination when any application is deployed in a distributed system.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned about the role of the Zookeeper in the Kafka cluster. We learned about the role of the Zookeeper in the Kafka cluster along with the features of the Zookeeper.
We hope this blog increases your knowledge regarding the role of the Zookeeper in the Kafka cluster. Don’t forget to check out these articles:
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