Essential Guide

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Editor's note

Serverless computing sounds a bit misleading since there are servers present. The name originates from the fact that cloud providers are the ones that provision, manage and scale the infrastructure. In this model, the developers can focus more on the code. Services, such as AWS Lambda and Azure Functions, handle the execution.

Serverless computing means lower costs, quicker time to release and more flexibility -- when applied properly. This guide explains serverless concepts, best practices and popular cloud services.

1Is serverless right for you?

Serverless computing isn't right for every workload or enterprise. Before you adopt the technology, assess your current workloads, define your goals and see where serverless can help. However, you must also account for the effect on cloud operations teams and cost management strategies, and pay attention to red flags that signal it’s time to step back.

2Explore serverless services from top cloud providers

Amazon created the serverless market when it rolled out AWS Lambda in 2014, but it's far from alone these days. Microsoft and Google have also entered the fray, as they seek to meet growing demand for event-driven offerings. Get up to speed on Lambda, Microsoft Azure Functions and Google Cloud Functions and see how they compare.

3Prepare for serverless platforms

Serverless platforms are not all created equal. Enterprises need to choose a platform that meets their workload requirements. They also need to select the right types of workloads that can benefit from serverless computing. Keep your goals in mind, such as multi-cloud, so you can easily shift strategies.

4Manage serverless applications

To fully benefit from serverless computing, enterprises need to properly build, prepare and manage applications for the technology. Serverless is best suited for small and uncomplicated functions that run for a short period of time. Even if your apps meet these basic requirements, an organization will still need to deal with security, cost, performance and more.