First of all, a brief explanation on what NATS is. NATS (Neural Autonomic Transport System) is an open-source messaging system ideal for cloud-native applications, IoT messaging, and microservices architectures. It offers:
  • High Performance: Handles millions of messages per second.
  • Low Latency: Delivers sub-millisecond latency.
  • Scalability: Scales effortlessly to millions of connections.
  • Simple API: Features a straightforward, easy-to-use API.
  • Lightweight: Utilizes minimal system resources.

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NATS in Power Platform Application

Direct Energy Partners employs NATS for two-way communication between its controller and external applications. This setup allows applications like PMS to monitor and control power and energy resources efficiently.

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Communication Patterns

  1. Publish/Subscribe: External applications subscribe to topics for updates like real-time energy consumption data or alerts.
  2. Request/Reply: Applications send requests to the controller for actions (e.g., adjusting power settings) and receive immediate responses.