CLOUD COMPUTING

Handling Sudden Traffic Spikes of 5,000 RPS with Serverless Architecture

Key Concepts

Here are a few terms we’ll use throughout this case study, explained simply:

  • RPS (Requests Per Second): A measure of how many requests a system can handle in one second. In this case, increasing from 50 RPS to 5,000 RPS means the system can now handle 100x more user traffic without crashing.
  • Serverless Architecture: A modern way of building applications where servers are managed by cloud providers (like Cloudflare). This allows for better scalability and cost efficiency, as resources are automatically adjusted based on demand.
  • Cloudflare Workers: A serverless technology that processes requests close to the user, ensuring faster response times and the ability to handle more traffic globally.
  • Durable Objects: A feature of Cloudflare Workers that manages data consistency and coordination across high-traffic environments, ensuring smooth operations even under heavy load.

Business Problem

The client struggled with an API that couldn’t handle sudden traffic spikes, causing serious business challenges:

  • Frustrated Customers: Downtime and delays led to poor user experiences.
  • Revenue Loss: Crashes during peak times meant missed sales opportunities.
  • Growth Limitations: The system couldn’t scale to meet increasing demand.

They needed a reliable solution to handle traffic surges, maintain performance, and ensure a seamless experience for their customers.

Our Solution

We designed a scalable, efficient backend solution to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure reliability during high traffic. To achieve this, we implemented a serverless architecture using Cloudflare Workers. Here’s what we delivered:

  • Seamless Integration: We replicated their existing API structure, making the transition as simple as updating a single URL in the frontend.
  • Serverless Scalability: By leveraging Cloudflare Workers, we distributed request processing across a global network, ensuring high availability and minimal latency during traffic surges.
  • Optimized Coordination: Using Cloudflare Durable Objects, we maintained backend consistency and efficient resource management, even during peak loads.

This architecture transformed their backend into a system capable of handling up to 5,000 requests per second — a 100x improvement — without requiring significant infrastructure overhead or manual scaling efforts.

Results

Our solution delivered measurable results that drove real business impact:

  • 100x Scalability: Increased capacity from 50 to 5,000 requests per second, effortlessly managing peak traffic.
  • Better User Experience: Faster response times ensured smooth, reliable interactions for their customers.
  • Increased Reliability: The system eliminated downtime, protecting revenue and building trust with users.

With this new foundation, the client can confidently scale their business and meet growing customer demands without interruptions.

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