It goes without saying that 2020 has been a challenging year, to put it lightly. But if anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on our need to connect as people. For Facebook, that meant…
Overview
The article reviews Facebook's significant advancements in connectivity, app performance, and sustainability during 2020, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the importance of connectivity. It details innovations like the faster Messenger app, the introduction of QUIC protocol, and efforts towards achieving net zero emissions.
What You'll Learn
1
How to optimize mobile applications for performance using native OS features
2
Why QUIC protocol enhances internet traffic efficiency
3
How to implement automated tools for regression detection in software development
4
When to use aerial fiber deployment solutions for connectivity expansion
5
How to leverage open-source tools for enhancing application security
Key Questions Answered
How did Facebook improve the Messenger app in 2020?
In 2020, Facebook rebuilt the Messenger app for iOS from the ground up, resulting in a version that is one-fourth the size of the previous one and runs twice as fast, with 84 percent fewer lines of code. This project, called LightSpeed, utilized native OS features and dynamic templates powered by SQLite.
What is the significance of the 2Africa subsea cable project?
The 2Africa project is one of the largest subsea cable initiatives aimed at enhancing internet connectivity across 23 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. It will provide nearly three times the total network capacity of all existing subsea cables serving Africa, significantly improving internet access for millions.
What methodologies did Facebook introduce for managing hardware failures?
Facebook introduced four methodologies that utilize automation and machine learning to detect and remediate server hardware failures with minimal service disruption. These systems proactively monitor hardware events and automate root cause analysis, ensuring consistent application performance.
How does the Evenstar program contribute to affordable broadband?
The Evenstar program focuses on developing general-purpose radio access network (RAN) reference designs for 4G/5G networks, allowing mobile network operators to select best-of-breed components. This decoupling of hardware and software components aims to reduce costs and improve broadband accessibility.
Key Statistics & Figures
Reduction in Messenger app size
One-fourth
The new Messenger app is significantly smaller than its predecessor, improving performance.
QUIC protocol usage
75 percent
More than 75 percent of Facebook’s internet traffic now utilizes QUIC and HTTP/3.
Length of the 2Africa subsea cable
37,000 km
This length is nearly equal to the circumference of the Earth, significantly enhancing connectivity.
Estimated GDP increase for Africa from 2Africa
0.42 percent to 0.58 percent
This increase is projected within the first two to three years after the cable goes live.
Technologies & Tools
Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase.
Database
Sqlite
Used as a universal system for dynamic templates in the Messenger app.
Frontend
React
Utilized in the complete rewrite of the Facebook web app.
Frontend
Relay
A GraphQL client for React used in the Facebook web app redesign.
Network Protocol
Quic
Replaces TCP for improved internet traffic management.
Security
Pysa
An open-source static analysis tool for detecting security issues in Python code.
Key Actionable Insights
1Optimize mobile applications by leveraging native OS features to enhance performance and reduce size.This approach not only improves user experience but also reduces resource consumption, making applications more efficient and faster.
2Implement QUIC protocol in your applications to improve internet traffic handling and reduce latency.QUIC has shown significant improvements in request errors and tail latency, which can enhance the overall performance of web applications.
3Utilize automated regression detection tools like Health Compass and Incident Tracker to maintain app performance.These tools help prevent performance degradation due to frequent codebase changes, ensuring a smoother experience for users.
4Consider aerial fiber deployment solutions for expanding connectivity in hard-to-reach areas.Using robots for fiber installation can significantly speed up the deployment process, making it a viable option for enhancing internet access.
5Adopt open-source tools like Pysa for improving security in Python applications.These tools can help identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of applications.
Common Pitfalls
1
Neglecting the importance of automated tools in maintaining application performance can lead to degraded user experiences.
Without tools like Health Compass and Incident Tracker, frequent code changes may introduce performance issues that affect millions of users.
2
Overlooking the potential of new protocols like QUIC can result in missed opportunities for performance improvements.
Sticking to older protocols like TCP may hinder the ability to leverage advancements in internet traffic management.