Build a High-Throughput Bulk SMS Broadcaster with Fastify and Plivo - code-examples -

Frequently Asked Questions

Create a Fastify API endpoint that accepts an array of destination phone numbers and a message body. This endpoint uses the Plivo Node.js SDK to send a single API request to Plivo, broadcasting the SMS to all recipients simultaneously. This method improves efficiency compared to sending individual messages.
Plivo's bulk messaging API allows sending a single message to thousands of recipients with one API call, reducing latency and overhead compared to looping through individual messages. This approach is crucial for efficient and scalable SMS broadcasting.
Fastify is a high-performance Node.js web framework known for its speed and extensibility. Its efficiency minimizes overhead, making it ideal for handling the demands of a high-throughput SMS broadcasting service.
Use bulk SMS when sending the same message to many recipients. This method is significantly more efficient and prevents hitting API rate limits, especially when dealing with thousands of numbers. Individual messages are better for personalized communications.
Use `npm install fastify plivo dotenv fastify-env` to install the required packages. For development, add `npm install --save-dev nodemon pino-pretty` for automatic server restarts and readable logs. Remember to replace placeholders with your actual Plivo Auth ID, Token, and phone number.
`dotenv` loads environment variables from a `.env` file, which stores sensitive credentials like your Plivo Auth ID and Token. `fastify-env` adds schema-based validation for these environment variables, ensuring required values are present and correctly formatted.
Create directories for routes (`src/routes`), services (`src/services`), and a main server file (`src/server.js`). The routes define API endpoints, the services encapsulate interaction with Plivo, and the server file sets up the application. Add a `.env` file for credentials and a `.gitignore` for security best practices.
You need Node.js v18 or later, npm or yarn, a Plivo account, a Plivo phone number enabled for SMS, and your Plivo Auth ID and Auth Token. Remember to keep these credentials secure and never commit them to version control.
Implement detailed logging at both the service and route layers, including specific error messages from Plivo. For enhanced resilience, integrate retry mechanisms with exponential backoff for transient errors like network issues or rate limiting, using libraries like `async-retry`.
Create a `.env` file in your project root. Add your `PLIVO_AUTH_ID`, `PLIVO_AUTH_TOKEN`, and `PLIVO_SOURCE_NUMBER` (in E.164 format). Never commit this file to version control. Use environment variable management tools provided by your hosting platform for production environments.
The `sendBulkSms` function uses a `Set` to automatically remove duplicate phone numbers from the provided list before sending the bulk message, ensuring that each recipient receives the SMS only once. This prevents sending unnecessary duplicates and is handled internally.
The `PLIVO_SOURCE_NUMBER` is your Plivo phone number that will be used to send the bulk SMS messages. You can find it in your Plivo console under Messaging -> Phone Numbers. Ensure this number is enabled for SMS and is in E.164 format (e.g. +14155552671).
Yes, Plivo supports sending SMS to international numbers, but ensure your Plivo phone number is set up to send to your target regions. When adding numbers to your list, make sure they are in international E.164 formatting. Consider checking Plivo's documentation for regional regulations and number formatting.
The .env file stores sensitive credentials like API keys and tokens. Committing it to Git poses a security risk, as it could expose those credentials to unauthorized users, including if your repository is public or shared. It is crucial for security to add .env to your .gitignore.