
TL;DR
Netlify has revamped its Edge Functions infrastructure, transitioning from a hosted execution service to MicroVMs, achieving a median performance boost of 5x. This upgrade enhances speed, security, and reliability without altering how developers write or deploy their functions.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider migrating your edge functions to MicroVMs for improved performance and reliability.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
Netlify processes about a billion Edge Functions daily, which handle tasks like page personalization and traffic routing. To meet the demand for low-latency responses, the company faced challenges in efficiently managing requests and compute resources.
Recently, they collaborated with Unikraft to transition from a hosted execution service to using Firecracker MicroVMs within their edge network. This change has resulted in a median performance improvement of 5x, significantly reducing latency while also enhancing security and reliability.
Importantly, the transition does not affect the existing development workflow, allowing developers to continue using familiar tools and configurations. The new architecture supports more complex computations at the edge, paving the way for future innovations.
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