I've set up a Node.js WebSocket server running on port 6060 and I'm using Apache as a reverse proxy. When users connect to my endpoint at www.mydomain.com/app/, they are assigned a unique ID, along with their username, entry time, and eventually their last active time. The problem I'm facing is that when users close their browser tab, Apache immediately receives the FIN signal, but it keeps the connection to Node.js open for an additional 30-40 seconds. Consequently, the 'last active time' is recorded with a noticeable delay (around 35 seconds after the user actually exits). Despite trying flush packets and adjusting various timeout settings, I can't seem to eliminate the delay. The issue appears to stem from Apache holding the connection until its internal I/O timeout expires before fully releasing the Node backend. Just to clarify, my code works perfectly on localhost, so I don't believe the code itself is to blame!
4 Answers
Since you mentioned your code works well locally, maybe post your local Apache configuration along with the version and build details. That way you can compare it with what’s running on your server.
Do you really need that level of accuracy? If you know the timeout duration, you could implement a delay in your application to compensate for it. This way, you can avoid the hassle of fine-tuning Apache settings, which might change with different technologies. Just make sure it's a generic, configurable setting so it’s adaptable.
Make sure you understand that a FIN packet doesn't instantly close the connection. It just tells the server the client is ready to disconnect. The server then has to handle some processes before sending its own FIN back to the client. I suggest you check how long it takes for that final server FIN and client ACK to complete after the client's FIN. If there's any lag, it could indicate a bottleneck in your application. Don't forget network latency can also be a factor here! If you want more detailed help, consider sharing your app's GitHub or your Apache configuration for us to look at.
Have you tried adding disablereuse=on to your Apache proxy configuration? This option might help with your issue.
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