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Session 6(B): Serverless, Containers, and Functions as a Service (FaaS)

example cloud architecture example real-world cloud application

What is "Serverless?"

There are many definitions that include more or less categories of cloud services. The primary concept is you create an 'exectution environment' to run your code, but you don't manage any aspect of the server. You can focus on your application or code and not the operating system.

We will talk about two kinds of "serverless" computing:

  • Cloud Functions: running code on demand in response to a trigger or event. This is sometimes called "Function as a Service"
  • Linux Containers: sandbox environment for running software, even more abstract than Virtual Machines, s

The relationship is the Cloud functions use Linux Containers as the basis for their architecture on Azure. However you can use Azure Functions without working with containers or even knowing that fact but if you need extreme customization.

FaaS is a blackbox

Serverless Readings

As you read these materials, do you think "serverless" resources are IaaS or PaaS? They sure feel like infrastructure as they require significant configuration, but run like PaaS, hence they are often called "Function as a Service."

Containers

Containers are a widespread technology not just for Azure.

Functions

Azure Functions triggers and bindings conceptstabs=csharp

Case Studies and Tutorials

An Introduction for Academics and links to Use Case in Bioinformatics : Grzesik, P., Augustyn, D. R., Wyciślik, Ł., & Mrozek, D. (2021). Serverless computing in omics data analysis and integration. Briefings in bioinformatics, bbab349. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/bib/bbab349

Activities

Links and activities related to containers are in the Container Overview page.

For Python programmers who have used the azure commaand line: Quickstart: Create a Python function in Azure from the command line

*This is a long and very command line oriented tutorial which requires installation of components on your computer, or using the CloudShell

Fellowship Meeting

November 4, 2022