When comparing PM2 Cluster Mode and the Node.js Cluster module, it's important to understand the distinct roles and benefits each provides in managing Node.js applications across multiple CPU cores.
PM2 Cluster Mode
PM2 is a popular process manager for Node.js applications that offers a Cluster Mode. This mode allows for easy scaling of applications across all available CPUs without modifying the existing codebase. Here are some key features and benefits of PM2 Cluster Mode:
Ease of Use: PM2 handles the complexity of managing multiple instances of your application. It abstracts the clustering mechanism, making it easier to scale applications with simple commands[13].
Built-in Load Balancer: PM2 includes a built-in load balancer that automatically distributes incoming traffic across all available instances[13].
Zero-Downtime Reloads: PM2 supports zero-downtime reloads, allowing you to reload or upgrade your application without downtime. This is achieved by gracefully restarting instances one at a time[13].
Process Monitoring and Management: PM2 provides a comprehensive dashboard for monitoring the health and performance of all managed instances. It also supports logging, process monitoring, and automatic restarts in case of crashes[13].
Additional Features: PM2 offers features like environment variable management, log management, and startup scripts, which are beneficial for production environments[13].
Node.js Cluster Module
The Node.js Cluster module is a lower-level API provided by Node.js for creating child processes that run simultaneously and share the same server port. Here are some aspects of the Node.js Cluster module:
Manual Setup: Unlike PM2, using the Node.js Cluster module requires manual setup and management of clustering logic within your application code. This includes handling the spawning of worker processes and managing their lifecycle[16].
Flexibility and Control: The Cluster module gives you more control over how clustering is implemented. You can programmatically manage how many instances are created, how they communicate, and how they are shut down[16].
Performance: The Cluster module allows you to maximize the performance of multi-core systems by enabling load balancing across multiple worker processes. This can significantly improve the throughput and efficiency of your application[16].
No Built-in Load Balancer: Unlike PM2, the Cluster module does not include a built-in load balancer. The distribution of ...
