API Design · Senior · Question 56 of 75

Why can retries at several layers (client, gateway, service) cause 'retry storms'?

1Retries reduce load
✓Correct answer: Each layer multiplies attempts: 3 retries at 3 layers can become 27 calls to a struggling dependency
3Gateways never retry

Explanation

Retry at one layer, use budgets (e.g. at most 10% extra requests), and honor Retry-After.

Further reading

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