Building a Scalable AWS Serverless Architecture with NestJS

In this series, we are talking about nestjs microservices with AWS serverless Architecture

We are discussing AWS serverless components and their Integration with Nest JS service deployed as a Lambda

AWS Serverless Architecture

AWS Serverless Architecture allows you to build and run applications without the need to manage servers. It automatically handles the infrastructure, allowing developers to focus on their core application logic. Here’s an overview of the key components and concepts involved in building a serverless architecture on AWS:

Core Components

1. AWS Lambda:

   • Function as a Service (FaaS): Run code in response to events without provisioning or managing servers.
   • Trigger Events: Integrate with other AWS services like S3, DynamoDB, SNS, SQS, API Gateway, etc.
   • Scalability: Automatically scales the execution environment to handle incoming requests.
   • Billing: Pay only for the compute time you consume.

2. Amazon API Gateway:

   • API Management: Create, publish, maintain, monitor, and secure APIs.
   • RESTful and WebSocket APIs: Supports REST and real-time communication.
   • Throttling and Security: Controls over request rate limiting and API access control using AWS IAM roles and policies.

3. Amazon DynamoDB:

   • NoSQL Database: Fully managed, scalable, and fast NoSQL database service.
   • Performance: Provides low-latency performance for high-scale applications.
   • Integration with Lambda: DynamoDB Streams can trigger Lambda functions for real-time data processing.

4. Amazon S3:

   • Object Storage: Scalable storage service for storing and retrieving any amount of data at any time.
   • Event Notifications: S3 can trigger Lambda functions on events like object creation or deletion.

5. Amazon SQS and SNS:

   • Messaging Services: SQS (Simple Queue Service) and SNS (Simple Notification Service) for decoupling and communicating between microservices.
   • Integration with Lambda: Both can trigger Lambda functions to process messages or notifications.

Additional Services

1. Amazon CloudFront:

   • Content Delivery Network (CDN): Distribute content with low latency and high transfer speeds.

2. AWS Step Functions:

   • Orchestration: Coordinate multiple AWS services into serverless workflows.

3. AWS AppSync:

   • GraphQL API: Managed service for building scalable GraphQL APIs.

4. AWS Fargate:

   • Containers: Serverless compute engine for running containers without managing servers.

Architecture Pattern

A typical serverless architecture on AWS involves:

1. Client:

   • User interactions through web/mobile apps.

2. API Gateway:

   • Routes requests to AWS Lambda functions.
   • Provides endpoints for clients to interact with the backend.

3. AWS Lambda:

   • Executes application logic in response to API Gateway requests or other events.
   • Interacts with databases (DynamoDB, RDS) and other AWS services.

4. Databases and Storage:

   • DynamoDB for NoSQL, Amazon RDS for relational databases, S3 for object storage.

5. Messaging and Notifications:

   • SQS and SNS for decoupling services and event-driven communication.

6. Monitoring and Logging:

   • AWS CloudWatch for logging, monitoring, and alerting.

Benefits

• Cost Efficiency: Pay only for what you use, reducing the cost for idle resources.
• Scalability: Automatic scaling to handle varying loads.
• Reduced Operational Overhead: No need to manage server infrastructure.
• Faster Time to Market: Focus on application development rather than infrastructure management.

Use Cases

• Web and Mobile Backends: Build scalable APIs for web and mobile applications.
• Data Processing: Real-time or batch data processing pipelines.
• IoT Backend: Handle data ingestion and processing from IoT devices.
• Microservices: Develop and deploy individual microservices independently.

AWS serverless architecture enables developers to build modern applications with high availability, scalability, and reduced operational complexity. It leverages the power of AWS services to deliver robust and efficient solutions without the need to manage underlying infrastructure.