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cluster-hops.md

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+Why is your microservice leaving the cluster to call its neighbor?
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+If you're using App Configuration or a similar setup to help microservices discover each other, it's easy to end up with something like this:
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+1. A service makes a request using a fully qualified domain
+2. DNS resolves the name
+3. The request leaves the cluster and hits your external front door
+4. It re-enters the same cluster and finally reaches the destination service
+
+It works, but it’s inefficient.
+
+It’s like walking outside to get your mail, seeing your neighbor standing in their yard, and calling them on the phone instead of just saying “Hey.”
+
+If your services live in the same Kubernetes cluster, let them talk directly. Use internal DNS like my-service.namespace.svc.cluster.local or cluster-local service discovery to keep traffic inside the network.
+
+You'll avoid unnecessary latency, reduce external dependencies, and simplify the path between services.
+
+#SoftwareDesign #PlatformEngineering #CloudNative #TechLeadership