An Introduction to Serverless Architecture: Benefits and Use Cases for Cloud Applications
Cloud computing has transformed the way we host applications by offering scalable, on-demand services. Serverless architecture, as part of this evolution, allows developers to run code without managing servers.
Table Of Contents
- Back to the Basics: The History of Server Infrastructure Before Cloud Computing
- What Does “Serverless Architecture” Mean?
- What Are the Serverless Providers Available As of Today?
- Docker for Serverless Applications
- Limitations of Serverless
- Challenges When Running Certain Frameworks in Serverless
- Serverless Options for Database and Caching
- Risks and Hidden Costs of a Serverless Architecture
- Cost Comparison: When to Use Serverless VS Servermore
- Optimizing Resources in a Serverless Environment
- Common Questions When Considering Serverless
- Beyond Web Applications: What Else Can You Run in a Serverless Environment?
- Final Thoughts
- About the Author: Vin Souza
In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits and use cases of serverless, and help you determine when it’s the right choice for your application. We’ll also dive into the history of cloud computing, options from major cloud providers and smaller alternatives, as well as best practices for running applications in a serverless environment.
Back to the Basics: The History of Server Infrastructure Before Cloud Computing
Before the “big cloud” existed, we had a markedly different approach to hosting online applications.
In 1995, Geocities offered a platform to host simple websites using HTML and GIFs, providing a generous 1MB of disk space–more than enough to host your website or even a company website created with tools like Microsoft FrontPage.
Challenges of Earlier Hosting Methods
But if you were looking into hosting something more complex, like an inventory manager, an ERP, or anything of the like, you had to use other options. Many companies opted for a “bare-metal” server on-site, connected via a T1 Line or fiber optics. This setup demanded significant investment in uninterrupted power supply, which could include a generator, batteries, or other solutions. Such infrastructure was costly, making it challenging for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to afford in-house hosting for their applications.