What caused the sudden spike in latency for Akamai's Image Manager service in the EMEA region yesterday?

Introduction

The sudden spike in latency for Akamai's Image Manager service in the EMEA region yesterday is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and thorough analysis. As we delve into this problem, we'll follow a systematic approach to identify the root cause, validate our hypotheses, and develop both short-term and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the regional specificity, I'm wondering if this is an infrastructure-related issue. Could you provide more details on the exact timing and duration of the latency spike?

Why it matters: This helps pinpoint potential correlations with regional events or maintenance activities. Expected answer: A specific timeframe, e.g., "The spike occurred from 2 PM to 4 PM GMT." Impact on approach: A short duration might indicate a temporary issue, while a longer one could suggest a more systemic problem.

• Considering the service-specific nature, I'm curious about recent updates. Have there been any recent changes or deployments to the Image Manager service, particularly in the EMEA region?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with performance issues. Expected answer: Information about recent updates or confirmation of no recent changes. Impact on approach: If there were recent changes, we'd focus on rollback or hotfix strategies; if not, we'd look at external factors or gradual degradation.

• Given the latency focus, I'm thinking about network-related issues. Can you share any information about network performance or CDN metrics during the spike period?

Why it matters: Network issues can significantly impact latency, especially for a globally distributed service. Expected answer: Details on network performance, any observed anomalies in CDN metrics. Impact on approach: Poor network performance might lead us to investigate connectivity issues, while normal metrics would shift our focus elsewhere.

• Considering user impact, I'm wondering about the scale of the problem. What percentage of users or requests in the EMEA region were affected by this latency spike?

Why it matters: This helps gauge the severity and potential impact on user experience and business metrics. Expected answer: A percentage or range of affected users/requests. Impact on approach: A high percentage would indicate a widespread issue, potentially at the infrastructure level, while a lower percentage might suggest a more localized problem.