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Technical Overview
This page gives a brief overview of the Metro Retro architecture and system requirements.
Metro Retro is a dynamic, real-time application providing users with a rich interactive environment to work collaboratively. It is primarily deployed into a virtual private cloud operated by Deqo Software Ltd and provided in the form of Software as a Service.
This article describes the architecture of Metro Retro. See our Security and Privacy Policy pages for more information on our security and data protection practices.
Metro Retro is exposed to customers as a single page web application. Behind this, there are a number of services working in synergy to provide a working service. From a logical perspective (ignoring hardware), these are:
Service | Product / Provider | Role |
|---|---|---|
Web Gateway | Caddy | Acts as reverse proxy and load balancer. |
Content Delivery Network | BunnyCDN | Provides edge cache for static assets & SPA build files. |
App Server | NodeJS Application | Application API (HTTP based) and Auth/Login UI. |
Podopolis | Elixir Application | Socket server that enables the real time collaboration functionality. |
Main Database | Postgres | Stores all system data except for board contents. |
Object Database | MongoDB | Stores board contents. |
Cache | Redis | Provides a cache and short term storage solution. |
Message Queue | Rabbit MQ | Enables inter-service communication between components. |
File Store | S3 Compatible Storage | Stores static assets & user uploaded data. |
App Worker | NodeJS Application | Background job processor for various system tasks/functionality. |
Snapper | NodeJS Application | Generates board preview images via Puppeteer. |
The diagram below shows the logical topology layout including the data transfer routes. Blue lines are one way transfers, purple lines are bi-directional transfers.
Within the main cloud deployment, we utilize Digital Ocean with the following:
- Ubuntu VMs for App Server, App Worker, Snapper, Podopolis, Rabbit MQ, Redis & Caddy
- Digital Ocean Managed Postgres & MongoDB instances
- Digital Ocean Spaces (S3 Compatible Storage)
- Bunny CDN as the external CDN provider
Each component runs directly on a dedicated VM of a size applicable for the current system load.
Last modified 8mo ago