AWS Bites

Latest Episodes:

104. Explaining Lambda Runtimes Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we celebrate AWS Lambda's 9th birthday by taking a deep dive into Lambda runtimes. We discuss how Lambda works, compare official runtimes vs. custom runtimes, and explain when and why building a custom runtime might be worth the effort. We talk through how custom runtimes work, options for deploying them, and potential use cases where they could be beneficial over standard runtimes. 💰 SPONSORS 💰 AWS Bites is brought to you by fourTheorem, an Advanced AWS Partner. If you are moving to AWS or need a partner to help you go faster, check us out at ⁠⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

The original announcement launching AWS Lambda in 2014: https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/whats-new/2014/11/13/introducing-aws-lambda/
List of official Lambda runtimes: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/lambda-runtimes.html
Library implementing the Rust runtime: https://github.com/awslabs/aws-lambda-rust-runtime
Library implementing the Go runtime: https://github.com/aws/aws-lambda-go/
Library implementing the C++ runtime: https://github.com/awslabs/aws-lambda-cpp
Third-party PHP runtime (Bref): https://bref.sh/
Third-party Swift runtime: https://github.com/swift-server/swift-aws-lambda-runtime
Official documentation on how to build a custom runtime: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/runtimes-custom.html
An official tutorial on how to build a custom runtime: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/runtimes-walkthrough.html
List of all the environment variables available to a runtime: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/configuration-envvars.html#configuration-envvars-runtime
Lambda Response Streaming official docs: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/runtimes-custom.html#runtimes-custom-response-streaming
Our previous episode on Lambda Response Streaming: https://awsbites.com/77-how-do-you-use-lambda-response-streaming/
On-demand Container Loading in AWS Lambda (paper): https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.13162
Deep dive on container support for AWS Lambda (Eoin's article): https://dev.to/eoinsha/container-image-support-in-aws-lambda-deep-dive-2keh
When is the Lambda Init Phase Free, and when is it Billed? (article by Luc van Donkersgoed): https://lucvandonkersgoed.com/2022/04/09/when-is-the-lambda-init-phase-free-and-when-is-it-billed/⁠

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103. Building GetAI Features with Bedrock Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss how we automated generating YouTube descriptions, chapters and tags for our podcast using Amazon's new GenAI tool: Bedrock. We provide an overview of Bedrock's features and how we built an integration to summarize podcast transcripts and extract relevant metadata using the Anthropic Claude model. We share the prompt engineering required to instruct the AI, and details on our serverless architecture using Step Functions, Lambda, and EventBridge. We also discussed Bedrock pricing models and how we built a real-time cost-monitoring dashboard. Overall, this automation saves us substantial manual effort while keeping costs low. We hope this episode inspires others to explore building their AI workflows with Bedrock. 💰 SPONSORS 💰 AWS Bites is brought to you by fourTheorem, an Advanced AWS Partner. If you are moving to AWS or need a partner to help you go faster, check us out at ⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

The GitHub repository with the code for the AWS Bites website: https://github.com/awsbites/aws-bites-site
Episoder: the open source project we created to handle this Bedrock-based automation: https://github.com/fourTheorem/episoder
Podwhisperer: out other open source automation that creates accurate transcripts for our podcast: https://github.com/fourTheorem/podwhisperer/
Amazon Bedrock Workshop: https://catalog.us-east-1.prod.workshops.aws/workshops/a4bdb007-5600-4368-81c5-ff5b4154f518/en-US
Using generative AI on AWS for diverse content types (workshop): https://catalog.workshops.aws/genai-on-aws/en-US/01-introduction
Deploying a Multi-Model and Multi-RAG Powered Chatbot Using AWS CDK on AWS: https://github.com/aws-samples/aws-genai-llm-chatbot/tree/main

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102. Getting Ampt with Jeremy Daly Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jeremy Daly, CEO of Ampt and a leader in the AWS and serverless community. We discuss Jeremy's journey into AWS and serverless, the prolific open source work and content he creates, the evolution of serverless over the years, common myths about serverless, and, finally, the story behind building Ampt to improve the developer experience. Jeremy provides his perspective on the state of serverless and predictions for the future and it also gives some fantastic pieces of advice for wannabe tech-entrepreneurs! 💰 SPONSORS 💰 AWS Bites is brought to you by fourTheorem, an Advanced AWS Partner. If you are moving to AWS or need a partner to help you go faster, check us out at ⁠fourtheorem.com⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Serverless Microservice patterns for AWS (article by Jeremy): https://www.jeremydaly.com/serverless-microservice-patterns-for-aws/
Datadog research: The state of Serverless: https://www.datadoghq.com/state-of-serverless/
Bref: serverless runtime for PHP: https://bref.sh/
Ampt original announcement blog post: https://www.serverless.com/blog/serverless-cloud-spins-off-as-ampt
Our previous episode on Ampt: https://awsbites.com/100-exploring-ampt-a-new-way-to-build-cloud-apps-on-aws/
Long-running tasks and smart compute with Ampt: https://getampt.com/blog/introducing-long-running-tasks/
Ampt official website: https://getampt.com/
Jeremy's official website: https://www.jeremydaly.com/
Jeremy on X (ergo Twitter): https://twitter.com/jeremy_daly
Jeremy's newsletter "Off-by-none": https://offbynone.io/

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101. Package and Distribute Lambda Functions for fun and profit Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Today we embark on a fascinating journey into the world of AWS Lambda functions and how to make them accessible to the public. In a recent use case, involving the creation of a public Lambda function for AWS users, we asked ourselves some interesting questions. How can you securely, cost-effectively, and conveniently publish AWS resources, especially Lambda functions, for others to use? And... can we possibly make some money out of this? Join us as we explore various options and share our findings for making your AWS resources available to the world. We dive into the Serverless Application Repository (SAR), an AWS treasure trove for publishing resources. And SAR isn't the only way! We also discuss alternatives like CloudFormation templates, GitHub publishing, Terraform modules, and container images. We explore the pros and cons of these methods and debate the implications in terms of cost, security, and ease of use. Finally, we touch on the AWS Marketplace as a platform to monetize your AWS resources. 💰 SPONSORS 💰 AWS Bites is brought to you by fourTheorem, an Advanced AWS Partner. If you are moving to AWS or need a partner to help you go faster, check us out at fourtheorem.com!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Our previous episode about HTTP Lambdas (including an overview of Rest vs HTTP API Gateways): https://awsbites.com/74-function-urls-vs-api-gateway/
Example of publicly accessible Lambda code using CloudFormation templates on GitHub: https://github.com/eoinsha/public-s3-lambda-code-example
AWS SAR (Serverless Application Repository): https://aws.amazon.com/serverless/serverlessrepo/
The Terraform Registry: https://registry.terraform.io/
AWS Marketplace: https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace
"Selling an AMI and a CloudFormation template as an alternative to SaaS" by Cloudonaut: https://cloudonaut.io/selling-ami-cloudformation-alternative-saas/

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100. Exploring Ampt, a new way to build cloud apps on AWS Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Greetings, my fellow innovators, and welcome to this illuminating episode of AWS Bites! In this edition, we embark on a journey into the realms of Ampt, a groundbreaking solution that simplifies the intricate landscape of AWS application development, allowing you to direct your focus toward the very essence of your applications, unhindered by the burdens of infrastructure management. As your guides through this remarkable odyssey, hosts Luciano and Eoin delve into the ingenious facets of Ampt. We unveil its "code over infrastructure" paradigm, which resonates with the principles of efficiency and simplicity. Furthermore, we explore Ampt's intelligent compute options, designed to adapt to the dynamic needs of your applications, and its streamlined deployment process, which paves the way for a more seamless journey into the world of cloud development. Join us on this voyage as we unravel how Ampt simplifies the intricate art of crafting full-stack applications. Notably, it offers individual sandboxes for each developer, eliminating the cacophony of distractions caused by noisy neighbors. Together, we will also uncover the straightforward path to beginning your journey with Ampt, highlighting its exciting features that promise to reshape the landscape of cloud development. This episode is a testament to innovation and the pursuit of progress. So, heed the call and stay at the forefront of AWS development by immersing yourself in this episode today! 💰 SPONSORS 💰 fourTheorem is the company that makes AWS Bites possible. If you are looking for a partner to accompany you on your cloud journey, check them out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Ampt: https://getampt.com/
Ampt blog with many case studies: https://getampt.com/blog

You can listen to AWS Bites wherever you get your podcasts:

99. The fears of adopting AWS (and how to fight them) Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

In this thrilling episode of AWS Bites Podcast, we delve into the murky world of cloud computing and discuss the most haunting fears that deter businesses from adopting Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this gritty discussion reminiscent of a noir novel, they reveal the sinister concerns of cost, complexity, security, and vendor lock-in that keep organizations in the dark. If you're in the cloud consulting business or facing internal resistance to moving your projects to AWS, this episode is your secret weapon. We shed light on how to reassure your clients and your boss that AWS can bring value. We also provide valuable tips on how to prepare your organization for a successful migration, as these transitions often require significant changes within the company itself. In this episode, you'll discover: How to tackle the fear of cost and gain control over your spending; Strategies to navigate the labyrinth of AWS complexity and maximize productivity; Techniques to secure your AWS environment and shield against potential breaches; The trade-offs of vendor lock-in and how to mitigate risks; Whether AWS is the right path for your business and when to embrace it. 💰 SPONSORS 💰 fourTheorem is the company that makes AWS Bites possible. If you are looking for a partner to accompany you on your cloud journey, check them out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Our previous episode on AWS Governance and Landing Zone with Control Tower, Org Formation, and Terraform: https://awsbites.com/96-aws-governance-and-landing-zone-with-control-tower-org-formation-and-terraform/

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98. Is AWS Going to Kill Pinpoint? Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Today, we will explore the enigmatic world of Amazon Pinpoint. Pinpoint boasts a wide range of capabilities that can prove advantageous for various marketing endeavors. In this intriguing episode, we will shed light on Pinpoint's core features and use cases. Additionally, we will compare it to several other marketing products, including Google Analytics, Marketo, Mailchimp, and more. However, the most startling revelation pertains to the recent changes in Pinpoint's limitations, which have left users deeply concerned. The astonishing reduction from 7,000 events per second to a mere 15 has prompted us to ponder: is AWS attempting to relegate Pinpoint to oblivion? Join us in the eerie tranquility of a snow-covered hotel as we unravel the mysteries surrounding Pinpoint's destiny. Could it be that AWS aims to discontinue Pinpoint altogether? Alternatively, are they endeavoring to revitalize it, akin to a vengeful spirit seeking redemption? Or could there be a nefarious pricing strategy at play? As the ethereal specter of Pinpoint looms large, we implore AWS to provide clarity regarding its intentions. If you are a Pinpoint user or contemplating entering this mysterious realm, tune in and share your thoughts in the comments. Will Pinpoint endure, or is it destined to become a fading memory in the annals of technology? 💰 SPONSORS 💰 fourTheorem is the company that makes AWS Bites possible. If you are looking for a partner to accompany you on your cloud journey, check them out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Amazon Pinpoint: https://aws.amazon.com/pinpoint/
Amazon Pinpoint service quota: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/pinpoint/latest/developerguide/quotas.html
AWS support: https://aws.amazon.com/support
Reddit thread discussing the quota change: https://www.reddit.com/r/aws/comments/16rfs42/aws_pinpoint_reduces_default_quota_for_new/

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97. Configuration for AWS Applications (Env vars, SSM, Secrets Manager, AppConfig) Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

Rev up your AWS know-how in this high-octane episode of AWS Bites Podcast, where we take you under the hood to fine-tune your AWS applications configuration! Kicking things off, we rev our engines and stress the vital role of slick configuration management in the world of cloud-based applications, leaving those old-school methods in the dust. Buckle up as we steer you through the twists and turns, starting with the straightforward horsepower of environment variables, giving you the lowdown on what fuels them and when to put the brakes on. We then shift gears to introduce AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store as a simple, yet effective solution that can provide you with all the torque you need. Secrets Manager rolls in next, guarding your valuable secrets with KMS encryption and IAM. The track leads to AppConfig, where they fine-tune your configuration game, ensuring smooth deployments and no pit stops for errors. For the daredevils out there, we open the toolbox and show you how to custom-build your own configuration engine, putting you in the driver's seat. Finally, we rev up the engine one last time and hit the gas with our recommendations, offering you a turbocharged approach to AWS configuration, tailored to your application's needs. So, tighten those bolts and get ready for a ride that'll leave your AWS configuration skills purring like a finely-tuned machine! 🚗💨🔧 💰 SPONSORS 💰 fourTheorem is the company that makes AWS Bites possible. If you are looking for a partner to accompany you on your cloud journey, check them out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

The Twelve-factor app: https://12factor.net/
AWS System Manager Parameter Store: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/userguide/systems-manager-parameter-store.html
AWS Secrets Manager: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/secretsmanager/latest/userguide/intro.html
AWS AppConfig: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/appconfig/latest/userguide/what-is-appconfig.html
AWS Lambda Extension for SSM: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/userguide/ps-integration-lambda-extensions.html
ssm-cache-python module: https://github.com/alexcasalboni/ssm-cache-python
Eoin's article "3 Ways to read SSM Parameters": https://dev.to/eoinsha/3-ways-to-read-ssm-parameters-4555
Middy middleware for SSM Parameters: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/ssm
Beabetterdev: Deep dive into SSM Parameters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hstqmge71w
Middy middleware for Secrets Manager: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/secrets-manager
Beabetterdev: Deep dive into Secrets Manager: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwVWWn2ZKj0
Middy middleware for AppConfig: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/appconfig
Beabetterdev: Deep dive into App Config with a demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwEJxRiaLPo
Middy middleware for pre-loading config from S3: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/s3
Middy middleware for pre-loading config from DynamoDB: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/dynamodb

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96. AWS Governance and Landing Zone with Control Tower, Org Formation, and Terraform Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of AWS Bites, Luciano and Eoin dive deep into the world of AWS governance, landing zones, and automation tools. AWS emphasizes the importance of good governance for customers of all sizes, whether you're starting from scratch or have been using AWS for years. But with so many tools available, which one should you choose? Join us as we explore the best practices for setting up your AWS accounts correctly and discover tools that can automate the process, including AWS Control Tower and open-source alternatives like OrgFormation and Terraform. Whether you're new to AWS or a seasoned user, there's something valuable for everyone in this episode. 💰 SPONSORS 💰 fourTheorem is the company that makes AWS Bites possible. If you are looking for a partner to accompany you on your cloud journey, check them out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

AWS Control Tower: https://aws.amazon.com/controltower/
Org Formation: https://github.com/org-formation
Terraform: https://www.terraform.io/
Org Formation official examples: https://github.com/org-formation/org-formation-cli/tree/master/examples
Org Formation resource providers: https://github.com/org-formation/aws-resource-providers
Great Terraform + Terraform Cloud demo repository by Conor Maher: https://github.com/conzy/terraform-demo
Landing Zone Accelerator with CDK: https://github.com/awslabs/landing-zone-accelerator-on-aws
AWS Control Tower Account Factory for Terraform (AFT): https://docs.aws.amazon.com/controltower/latest/userguide/aft-getting-started.html
Managing AWS Organizations using the open source org-formation tool: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/opensource/managing-aws-organizations-using-the-open-source-org-formation-tool-part-1/
How to get started with Org Formation: https://bahr.dev/2022/02/07/org-formation/

You can listen to AWS Bites wherever you get your podcasts:

95. Mounting S3 as a Filesystem Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

Saddle up for a cloud adventure like no other in this episode of AWS Bites, where Eoin and Luciano explore the untamed world of AWS S3 Mountpoint.

Just like a trusty steed on the digital prairie, Mountpoint gallops into action to solve complex use cases, making it a valuable asset for managing massive data, achieving high throughput, and effortlessly fetching information from the AWS S3 wilderness. Dive deep into the inner workings of Mountpoint, a Rust-powered Linux-exclusive application that harnesses the Linux FUSE subsystem to provide optimal S3 performance.

While exploring alternatives like s3fs-fuse and goofys, discover the benefits of sticking to native AWS tools for certain scenarios.

Uncover Mountpoint's performance prowess, thanks to its integration with AWS Common Runtime libraries, and learn when to hop on this cloud cowboy or opt for a more native approach.

Wrapping up, don't forget to check out AWS Storage's blog post for an even deeper dive into Mountpoint's capabilities. Whether you're a seasoned cloud wrangler or a newcomer to the digital rodeo, this video will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the AWS S3 Mountpoint frontier confidently. 💰 SPONSORS 💰 fourTheorem is the company that makes AWS Bites possible. If you are looking for a partner to accompany you on your cloud journey, check them out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

AWS Mountpoint repository: https://github.com/awslabs/mountpoint-s3/
Running Mountpoint in a container: https://github.com/awslabs/mountpoint-s3/tree/main/docker#docker-permissions-and-aws-container-services
S3-fs-fuse: https://github.com/s3fs-fuse/s3fs-fuse
Goofys: https://github.com/kahing/goofys
AWS CRT: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdkref/latest/guide/common-runtime.html
Cloudonaut podcast episode talking about how difficult it is to get 5 TB objects quickly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I91GSGXcOh8
Cloudonaut custom high-performance Node.js S3 Client: https://github.com/widdix/s3-getobject-accelerator
Automated Reasoning at AWS: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/storage/how-automated-reasoning-helps-us-innovate-at-s3-scale/
Detailed blog post from AWS Storage: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/storage/the-inside-story-on-mountpoint-for-amazon-s3-a-high-performance-open-source-file-client/

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