Tracing calls through backend components

Overview

Implement distributed tracing across Jitsi's backend components to improve observability and debugging.

Description

This project aims to implement distributed tracing using modern observability tools, allowing developers and operators to follow a call's path through the entire backend stack. This will significantly improve debugging capabilities, performance analysis, and understanding of system behavior.

Expected outcomes

• Integration of distributed tracing framework (e.g., OpenTelemetry) across Jitsi backend components.
• Trace correlation between JVB, Jicofo, and Prosody for individual calls.
• Visualization of call flows through components.
• Documentation on how to use tracing for debugging and performance analysis.
• Sample dashboards and queries for common debugging scenarios.

Skills / Technologies

Java, Kotlin, Lua, OpenTelemetry, Distributed systems, Observability

Possible mentors

Aaron Van Meerten, Scott Boone

Expected project size

Medium (175 hours)

Difficulty

Medium to Hard