OTel Sucks (But Also Rocks!)

Abstract

OpenTelemetry (OTel) has become a cornerstone of observability, but the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Inspired by the famous “Linux Sucks” format, this talk explores OTel’s pain points and highlights its successes.

We’ll cover:

• SDK Configuration: Once complex for simple scenarios, now simplified by the Config SIG.
• Collector Challenges: Tail-sampling woes and Prometheus performance issues, balanced by OTel’s ability to handle multiple signals in one binary with great performance using OTLP.
• Semantic Conventions: Painful changes, like in HTTP conventions, but with long-term benefits through unified standards.

Featuring real-world user insights, this session delivers a brutally honest yet optimistic take on OTel’s evolution. Perfect for anyone navigating OpenTelemetry’s complexities or celebrating its strengths.