Concepts
AWS Lambda is a compute service that lets you run code without provisioning or managing servers. It automatically scales your application by running code in response to events, such as HTTP requests via Amazon API Gateway, modifications to objects in Amazon S3 buckets, updates to DynamoDB tables, or state transitions in AWS Step Functions.
How AWS Lambda Works
Lambda functions are essentially blocks of code that are executed in stateless containers. These containers are ephemeral and may last for one invocation or may be reused for a number of subsequent invocations. When an event that triggers the function occurs, Lambda takes care of running the code on a compute infrastructure with high availability.
Example Usage Patterns
- Event-Driven Data Processing: Automatically triggering a Lambda function for data transformation or filtering when new data is uploaded to Amazon S3.
- Real-Time File Processing: Generating thumbnails for images uploaded to S3 by invoking a Lambda function.
- Web Applications: Using Lambda with API Gateway to handle HTTP requests and provide a backend for a web application.
- IoT Backend: Processing IoT data streams by triggering Lambda functions in response to MQTT messages or device shadow updates.
AWS Fargate
AWS Fargate is a serverless compute engine for containers that works with both Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) and Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS). With Fargate, you no longer have to manage servers or clusters of Amazon EC2 instances.
How AWS Fargate Works
When using Fargate, you define your application as Docker containers. You specify the CPU and memory requirements, define networking and IAM policies, and launch your container. Fargate then runs the containers for you without the need for managing underlying EC2 instances.
Example Usage Patterns
- Microservices Architecture: Running each component of a microservices architecture in its own container, scaling them independently and managing them through ECS or EKS.
- Batch Processing: Executing batch computing workloads as containerized applications, which are only billed for the compute and memory resources used.
- API Backends: Deploying RESTful APIs as containerized services managed with Fargate and accessed through application load balancers.
Comparison Between AWS Lambda and AWS Fargate
| Feature | AWS Lambda | AWS Fargate |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Type | Event-driven functions | Containerized applications |
| Scaling | Automatic, based on the number of events | Automatic, managed by ECS or EKS |
| Pricing | Charged per 100ms of compute time and number of requests | Charged based on provisioned vCPU and memory per second |
| Infrastructure Management | Fully managed, no infrastructure to manage | Serverless containers, no underlying servers to manage |
| Integration | Deep integrations with AWS services like S3 and DynamoDB | Integrates with ECS for Docker and EKS for Kubernetes |
| Maximum Execution Duration | 15 minutes per invocation | None, suitable for long-running applications |
When to Choose Lambda vs. Fargate
Choose AWS Lambda when:
- You have short-lived, event-driven processes.
- You require deep integration with AWS services like S3, DynamoDB, or API Gateway.
- You prefer not having to manage the underlying compute resources at all.
Choose AWS Fargate when:
- You have containerized workloads or are using microservices architecture.
- You need more granular control over networking and security.
- You have long-running processes or services.
Finally, as you study for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) exam, understanding not only when and how to leverage serverless technologies like Lambda and Fargate but also how to make informed decisions about which patterns to implement is crucial for designing optimal cloud-based solutions on AWS.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: AWS Lambda automatically scales horizontally, meaning it can run multiple instances of function handlers in response to the number of events.
- True
- False
True
AWS Lambda functions scale horizontally by running as many instances of function handlers as needed in response to incoming events.
True or False: Amazon ECS Fargate removes the need for you to interact with server or cluster management.
- True
- False
True
Amazon ECS Fargate is a serverless compute engine that allows users to run containers without having to manage servers or clusters.
Which AWS service is a serverless, event-driven compute service that allows you to run code in response to triggers such as changes in data, system state, or actions by users?
- A) Amazon EC2
- B) AWS Lambda
- C) Amazon S3
- D) Amazon ECS
B) AWS Lambda
AWS Lambda is serverless, event-driven, and allows running code in response to various triggers.
When using AWS Lambda, what is the maximum execution duration per request?
- A) 5 minutes
- B) 15 minutes
- C) 30 minutes
- D) Indefinite
B) 15 minutes
As of the knowledge cutoff in 2023, the maximum execution duration per request for AWS Lambda is 15 minutes.
True or False: AWS Fargate is only compatible with Amazon ECS and not with Amazon EKS.
- True
- False
False
AWS Fargate is compatible with both Amazon ECS and Amazon EKS, providing a serverless experience to run containers.
Which AWS service is often used together with AWS Lambda for building serverless applications, by providing a fully managed event bus that integrates with a variety of AWS services and SaaS applications?
- A) Amazon SQS
- B) Amazon SNS
- C) AWS Step Functions
- D) Amazon EventBridge
D) Amazon EventBridge
Amazon EventBridge is a serverless event bus service that is commonly used with AWS Lambda to build serverless applications.
Is it possible to deploy a containerized application on AWS Lambda?
- A) Yes, using custom runtimes
- B) Yes, but containers must be self-contained single functions
- C) No, AWS Lambda only supports functions deployed as code packages
- D) No, containers can only be deployed using Amazon ECS or Amazon EKS
B) Yes, but containers must be self-contained single functions
AWS Lambda does support containerized images as deployment packages for functions, but they must be self-contained single functions.
True or False: AWS Step Functions allows coordination of multiple AWS services into serverless workflows.
- True
- False
True
AWS Step Functions is used to coordinate multiple AWS services into serverless workflows, hence facilitating the orchestration of complex business logic.
In a serverless architecture with AWS Lambda, what is the responsibility of AWS regarding the underlying infrastructure?
- A) Patching the guest operating system
- B) Monitoring the function’s logic
- C) Optimizing the function code
- D) Capacity provisioning
A) Patching the guest operating system
AWS is responsible for the maintenance of the underlying infrastructure, including patching the guest operating system. Users are responsible for monitoring their function’s logic and optimizing the code.
Which AWS service can be used to create a serverless REST API that directly integrates with AWS Lambda?
- A) Amazon API Gateway
- B) AWS Direct Connect
- C) Amazon Route 53
- D) AWS Elastic Beanstalk
A) Amazon API Gateway
Amazon API Gateway is used to create, deploy, and manage a REST API that can integrate directly with AWS Lambda for a serverless backend.
True or False: AWS Lambda functions can only be triggered by AWS services.
- True
- False
False
AWS Lambda functions can be triggered by AWS services, but they can also be invoked directly using the AWS SDK, API calls, or via applications outside of AWS.
What is the main benefit of using AWS Fargate for running containers?
- A) It provides the lowest cost for all container workloads.
- B) It offers the highest performance for compute-intensive applications.
- C) It frees you from having to manage servers and clusters.
- D) It allows direct access to the host machines for containers.
C) It frees you from having to manage servers and clusters.
AWS Fargate is a serverless compute engine for containers that removes the need to manage servers or clusters, thereby simplifying container deployment and management.
Great article! Serverless technologies like AWS Lambda have really revolutionized the way we design applications.
I found the section on AWS Fargate particularly useful. Thanks!
Can someone explain the difference between AWS Lambda and AWS Fargate? I’m a bit confused.
The tutorial really helped me understand the exam objectives. Much appreciated!
What kind of patterns are best suited for Lambda functions?
I’m preparing for the SAA-C03 exam, and this tutorial is a goldmine. Thanks!
How can we optimize costs when using Lambda?
Is there a scenario where using EC2 might be better than serverless options?