Reduce IT operational costs and stop paying for idle resources by adopting modern serverless computing. Serverless processing shifts the burden of infrastructure management to the cloud provider, allowing your developers to focus exclusively on writing high-quality code. Key benefits of serverless, such as instant, automatic scalability, allow you to react lightning-fast to traffic spikes without worrying about system stability. Check if this model is the optimal choice for your business and how to effectively handle implementation challenges.What is serverless computing and why is it important?
The term serverless computing might be misunderstood if taken literally. Although the name suggests processing without servers, we still use them in this solution; however, we significantly change how we do it. First and foremost, we are no longer responsible for creating and maintaining infrastructure, nor do we physically own servers—these are provided by our service provider, e.g., Google or Microsoft. In the traditional approach, developers must configure and scale servers themselves, which is a burden in terms of time and costs. Serverless is so important because it eliminates the burdens associated with infrastructure management, is more flexible, and is easier to scale. In this modern approach, developers can focus on what is most important in their work: creating code and developing applications. It is precisely the flexibility and scalability of serverless computing that influence its popularity and determine its advantage over other solutions.
How serverless computing works: Technical basics
To understand how serverless computing works, it is worth reading our articles on
cloud computing and
mobile cloud computing. In the serverless model, events such as an HTTP request or changes in a database trigger the execution of an application. The serverless platform runs the appropriate function, which processes the data and returns a result. In a nutshell, when an application is not in use, no computing resources are allocated to it. Calculations are performed in short bursts, and the results are sent to a memory database. Prices for serverless computing services are therefore determined based on the resources actually used by the application, rather than for maintaining an entire server.
Benefits and challenges of serverless computing
The most important benefits of serverless computing include, above all, automatic scalability, which allows for better adaptation of the application to changing requirements. Paying for actual resource consumption eliminates initial costs and significantly reduces the cost of maintaining the application. Additionally, implementing a serverless solution is much faster and more convenient, which naturally translates into the development of software based on this method. Naturally, there are some challenges associated with serverless computing. First, we are dependent on the limitations of the serverless platform, such as available resources or processing time. Second, debugging and monitoring applications can be more complex than in the traditional approach because application functions can operate independently of each other. Furthermore, invoking a large number of functions can generate additional costs. However, these challenges are not synonymous with disadvantages that weigh against a serverless solution. We simply need to change our approach to thinking about infrastructure. Just as in the past we moved away from other traditional solutions in favor of more modern ones that had different features, we must also make a certain mental shift in our approach to infrastructure.
How to introduce serverless computing in your company?
Introducing serverless computing is generally simpler in smaller companies or startups, but there are many more use cases. Choosing the right tool can simplify the transition to a serverless solution and ensure the application performs well for users. To do this, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the current offer and contacting our consultants. It should be remembered that after building a serverless application, you must carefully monitor its status and performance to avoid unexpected cost increases. Serverless functions usually go through a complex network of microservices, and cold starts, misconfigurations, and other errors can occur at any node, causing effects throughout the environment. To help with troubleshooting, real-time insight into the operation of each function—both independently and in communication with other functions and infrastructure components—is extremely important.
The future of serverless computing: What’s next?
Everything indicates that the future is full of clouds. This is because these technologies are already mature and proven, so they naturally become the first choice more and more often when designing enterprise IT infrastructure. Their continuous development means that developers are guided by this trend when creating software. The increasingly frequent shift of businesses to operating exclusively or mostly virtually, i.e., without having a physical location, is also not without significance. On-premise data centers are exposed to risks related to ensuring business continuity. Flexibility, convenience, and security set the tone for the direction in which serverless computing solutions will continue to develop. Additionally, institutions such as the Cloud Native Computing Foundation promote such solutions, pointing to their high standard. In summary, the long-term benefits of a serverless solution are worth considering when designing your company’s IT systems.
