Troubleshooting a 'Parking Meter Defective' notification in a parking meter app. Focus: API issues, cache invalidation, and potential TLS/SSL errors.
The API endpoint is the server that provides the meter status.
Application version information can help determine available features and known bugs.
Widespread issues suggest a problem with the central API or server.
The application relies on a TLS/SSL secured API endpoint to receive meter status. Error codes returned by the API (e.g., 500, 503) may trigger the 'Defective Meter' notification. Incorrect JSON formatting in the API response can also cause parsing errors in the application, leading to the same notification. Cached meter status within the app or DNS caching of the API endpoint can perpetuate inaccurate information.
Ensure the device is situated in a safe location and is free of any electrical hazards. While no physical interaction is required, avoid operating the device during extreme weather conditions such as lightning storms. The parking meter kiosks are unattended and exposed to extreme weather conditions (down to -40C), so consider the safety of the surroundings if on site.
Implement robust error handling in the application to gracefully handle API errors and display informative messages. Regularly update the application to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements. Monitor the API endpoint's availability and response times. Implement a cache invalidation strategy to ensure the application displays up-to-date information.
Use a network packet capture tool (e.g., Wireshark on a connected workstation) to analyze the communication between the application and the API endpoint. This can reveal detailed information about the API request and response, including error codes, TLS/SSL handshake issues, and malformed JSON data.