Jitsi Scaling Performance Using Octo & JVB Clustering Guide

Introduction

When your meetings grow beyond small team calls, servers start struggling. Audio delays, frozen video, and random disconnects appear. This is where Jitsi Scaling Performance becomes critical. A single server can handle normal meetings, but webinars, classrooms, and public platforms need a distributed architecture.

The solution is not upgrading CPU again and again. Instead, Jitsi is designed to scale horizontally using multiple videobridges (JVBs) and a special routing system called Octo. This guide explains how scaling actually works, what problems it solves, and how to design a stable production environment.

You will not just learn commands — you will understand why scaling works and when to use each method.

Understanding Jitsi Architecture First

Before scaling, you must know the core components.

Important fact:

Almost all server load comes from the JVB, not the web server.

So scaling Jitsi means scaling videobridges.

Jitsi Scaling Performance Explained

To improve Jitsi Scaling Performance, Jitsi distributes participants across multiple videobridges instead of pushing everyone through one machine.

Instead of: 1 server → 200 users

You get: 5 servers → 40 users each

This drastically reduces packet loss and CPU overload.

Vertical Scaling vs Horizontal Scaling

Vertical Scaling (Wrong Long-Term Solution)

Upgrade server:

• More CPU
• More RAM

Problem: Eventually hardware limit is reached and meetings crash again.

Horizontal Scaling (Correct Solution)

Add more JVB servers.

Advantages:

• Unlimited growth
• No single bottleneck
• Stable large meetings

This is how real platforms operate.

What Is JVB Clustering?

JVB clustering means multiple videobridges connect to one Jitsi controller (Jicofo).

When users join:

1. Jicofo checks load
2. Selects best bridge
3. Assigns participant automatically

Users don’t notice anything — but load is balanced.

Load Distribution Logic

Jicofo tracks:

• CPU usage
• Packet loss
• Participants per bridge
• Region proximity

Then routes traffic intelligently.

What Is Octo?

Clustering works inside one region. Octo works between regions.

Octo links multiple Jitsi clusters worldwide.

Example:

India users → India bridge Europe users → Europe bridge Meeting still same room

This reduces latency dramatically.

Why Octo Matters

Without Octo:

India → Europe → Server → Europe → India

With Octo:

India → India server Europe → Europe server

Only minimal streams travel between servers.

Result:

• Lower ping
• Better video quality
• Less bandwidth usage

When You Actually Need Scaling

You need clustering if:

• Meetings exceed 40–60 users
• CPU stays above 70%
• Video freezes during peak hours
• Multiple meetings run simultaneously

You need Octo if:

• Users join from multiple countries
• Global classrooms or events
• High latency complaints

Basic JVB Clustering Architecture

Step 1 — Main Node (Controller)

Contains:

• Prosody
• Jicofo
• Web interface

No heavy media load.

Step 2 — Add Videobridge Nodes

Each JVB runs only videobridge service.

They connect to controller using authentication.

Step 3 — Automatic Distribution

Participants automatically assigned across bridges.

No manual room splitting required.

How Load Balancing Actually Works

Unlike traditional load balancers, Jitsi uses conference-aware routing.

Normal load balancer: Random user → random server

Jitsi: Same meeting → intelligently grouped

This prevents video duplication storms.

Octo Multi-Region Architecture

Octo links bridges into a mesh.

Example setup:

Asia Cluster Europe Cluster US Cluster

Participants connect locally. Clusters exchange only necessary streams.

Bandwidth Savings

Without Octo: Every user sends video to single region.

With Octo: One stream per region only.

Huge bandwidth reduction.

Performance Comparison

Network Requirements

Important for scaling success:

• Public IP per JVB
• UDP open (10000)
• Good bandwidth (1 Gbps recommended)
• Low inter-region latency

Network quality matters more than CPU.

Common Scaling Mistakes

• Adding Servers Without Colibri Auth: Bridges won’t register → unused capacity
• Using Load Balancer in Front of JVB: Breaks ICE connectivity
• Hosting All Servers Same Data Center: No latency improvement
• Ignoring Regional Routing: Users connect far away

Monitoring Jitsi Cluster

Track these metrics:

• Packet loss
• RTT delay
• CPU load
• Bridge selection logs

This helps predict overload before users complain.

Recommended Production Design

Small platform: 1 controller + 2 JVB

Medium platform: 1 controller + 5 JVB

Global platform: Multiple clusters + Octo

Real World Example

Online education platform:

Before scaling: 120 students → unusable audio

After clustering: 120 students → smooth video

After Octo: Global classrooms without lag

Cost Optimization Tip

Instead of one massive server:

Use several medium servers.

Benefits:

• Cheaper
• Safer
• Easier replacement

Conclusion

Improving Jitsi Scaling Performance is not about stronger hardware — it is about smarter architecture. JVB clustering distributes meeting load across servers, while Octo connects regions to reduce latency and bandwidth usage.

Start with a small cluster, monitor performance, and expand gradually. Once implemented correctly, Jitsi can support very large and global meetings reliably.