Lowering First-Hop Latency with AWS Local Zones

In the world of cloud computing, latency is the invisible force that can determine the success or failure of an application. From augmented reality experiences requiring instantaneous feedback to mission-critical industrial applications where every millisecond counts, reducing latency is pivotal. As we journeyed through AWS’s vast edge computing landscape, it became evident that proximity to the end user is a game-changer. Enter AWS Local Zones.

Think of Local Zones as extensions of AWS’s massive infrastructure regions, tactically positioned closer to specific urban centers and densely populated areas. While the primary AWS Regions might be well-suited for hosting applications with a global user base, they aren’t always optimal for the ultra-low latency requirements of a specific locale.

This chapter will explain AWS Local Zones and review architectural patterns that have proven successful with customers through...