Websockets with PHP and Symfony - network and server architecture

Question

We have a web application that currently uses polling to handle continuous updates.

While switching to long polling may be a small bandaid to the issue, we wanted to implement a Websockets solution that will be durable and scalable.

My question is: what kind of architecture will be needed for this?

I have done some research myself and have found that the typical setup for an enterprise application is something like this:

The execution flow of a connection then would be something like this:

1. Initial handshake
   • Client makes an HTTP Request to Server along with JS to request a Websocket connection
   • Server responds, Header contains the Upgrade directive and switches protocols for that client
   • Websocket Server establishes a Websocket connection with client
2. Client submits a POST/PUT/etc.
   • Webserver (Apache/Nginx) fetches result from query
   • Webserver sends result to the MQ where it is added to the queue
   • Message is sent to Websocket server from MQ
   • Message is sent back to the client

Is this approach correct? Am I missing anything? Am I understanding something incorrectly?

Answer 1

Try having a look at this: socketo.me

Kinda gives you an idea. From what I can see, this is fairly similar to what you've envisioned in the architecture diagram you posted.

May also be worth looking at this Stackoverflow question's answer.