AWS Pro

Defining Serverless

A service is considered serverless when it meets these key criteria:

1. No Server Management

   • Provider handles patches and OS updates

   • Example: AWS Lambda

2. Flexible Scaling

   • Automatic scaling based on traffic

   • Scaling within defined boundaries

3. Built-in High Availability

   • Default fault tolerance

   • Inherent availability features

4. Scale to Zero Capability

   • No idle capacity

   • No costs when inactive

Note on "Serverless" Services

Some AWS services labeled as "serverless" (e.g., Aurora Serverless, Neptune Serverless) may not fully meet all criteria, particularly zero-scaling. These services represent the best-fit options for serverless applications despite limitations.