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Industry Insights 5 Next.js Serverless Support Outside Vercel

Industry Insights

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Next.js Serverless Support Outside Vercel

by | Nov 8, 2024 | All, Programming, Software Development

About The Author Alejandro Ramírez

Alejandro Ramirez is a Director of Engineering with over 20 years of experience in Software Development, across a diverse range of industries and applications.

Next.js has revolutionized how we build React applications, offering server-side rendering, static site generation, and a seamless developer experience. However, deploying Next.js applications, especially in a serverless environment on AWS, can be a complex endeavor. While Vercel has made deployments easier, you must buy into their ecosystem to get all the benefits.

Enter OpenNext—an open-source project that bridges the gap between Next.js and AWS serverless infrastructure. It offers an alternative to Vercel and traditional Node.js deployments, providing greater control, scalability, and cost-efficiency.

In this post, we’ll explore how OpenNext simplifies the deployment of Next.js applications to AWS, enabling developers to leverage the scalability and cost benefits of serverless architectures without the usual headaches. We’ll also compare OpenNext to Vercel and Node.js deployments to help you decide the best path for your project.

What Is OpenNext?

OpenNext is an open-source toolkit that transforms your Next.js application into a serverless-ready package for AWS. It compiles your Next.js app into AWS Lambda functions, configures API Gateway endpoints, and sets up S3 buckets for static assets—all automatically.


Key Features:

  • Serverless Functions: Converts Next.js API routes and server-side rendering into AWS Lambda functions.
  • Static Asset Hosting: Manages S3 buckets for serving static files and assets.
  • Edge Compatibility: Supports Next.js middleware and edge functions.
  • Infrastructure as Code: Provides AWS CloudFormation or AWS CDK templates for infrastructure management.
  • Open-Source Freedom: Unlike proprietary platforms, OpenNext gives you full control over your deployment pipeline.
Variable Fonts- A Technical Deep Dive for Developers - v2

Why Use OpenNext Over Vercel or Node.js Deployments?

OpenNext is an open-source toolkit that transforms your Next.js application into a serverless-ready package for AWS. It compiles your Next.js app into AWS Lambda functions, configures API Gateway endpoints, and sets up S3 buckets for static assets—all automatically.


OpenNext vs. Vercel:

  • Vendor Lock-In: You’re tied to Vercel’s platform and pricing model.
  • Cost: For larger applications or enterprise features, costs can escalate quickly.
  • Customization Limits: Less control over the underlying infrastructure.
  • Region Availability: Limited control over data residency and compliance requirements.

Advantages of OpenNext over Vercel:

  • Cost-Efficiency: With AWS’s pay-as-you-go model, you often save money, especially at scale.
  • Full Control: Customize every aspect of your infrastructure.
  • No Vendor Lock-In: Being open-source, you can modify and extend it as needed.
  • Compliance and Data Residency: Deploy in specific AWS regions to meet compliance requirements.
  • Scalability: Benefit from AWS’s global infrastructure for high availability and performance.

OpenNext vs. Node.js Deployments

Traditional Node.js deployments involve running a server 24/7, whether or not it’s handling requests. This approach can be resource-intensive and less scalable.


Advantages of OpenNext over Node.js Deployments:

  • Serverless Architecture: Eliminates the need to manage servers.
  • Scalability: Automatically scales with traffic without manual intervention.
  • Cost Savings: Pay only for the compute time you consume.
  • Maintenance: Reduces operational overhead (no server updates or patches).
  • High Availability: AWS handles failover and redundancy.

Getting Started with OpenNext

Prerequisites

  • Node.js v14 or later
  • AWS Account
  • AWS CLI configured with appropriate permissions
  • Next.js application (version 12 or later)

 

Installation

First, install the OpenNext CLI globally:
npm install -g @opennext/cli

Setting Up Your Next.js Application

Navigate to your Next.js project directory:
cd your-nextjs-app
Initialize OpenNext:
opennext init
This command will generate the necessary configuration files for deployment.

Deploying to AWS

To deploy your application, run:
opennext deploy
The CLI will package your application, create the necessary AWS resources, and deploy everything.

Configuration Options

You can customize your deployment by editing the opennext.config.js file:
module.exports = {
  awsRegion: 'us-east-1',
  s3BucketName: 'your-custom-bucket-name',
  // Additional configuration options...
};

Example: Deploying a Blog Application

Let’s say you’ve built a blog using Next.js. With OpenNext, deploying it to AWS becomes straightforward.

1. Initialize OpenNext:

Initialize OpenNext:

2. Deploy:

opennext deploy

3. Access Your Application:

4. After deployment, the CLI will output the URL where your application is accessible.

Your application is live at https://abc123.execute-api.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/prod

Advanced Usage

Environment Variables

You can manage environment variables by defining them in the opennext.config.js file:
module.exports = {
  environment: {
    API_URL: 'https://api.yourservice.com',
    NODE_ENV: 'production',
  },
};

Custom Domains

To use a custom domain with your application:

1. Configure your domain in AWS Route 53.

2. Update the opennext.config.js:

module.exports = {
  domainName: 'www.yourcustomdomain.com',
  certificateArn: 'arn:aws:acm:us-east-1:123456789012:certificate/abc-def-ghi',
};

3. Redeploy your application:

opennext deploy

Why Choose OpenNext?

  • Flexibility: Unlike Vercel, OpenNext allows you to tailor your deployment to meet specific needs.
  • Cost Savings: AWS’s pricing can be more economical than Vercel’s tiers, especially for high-traffic applications.
  • Performance: Deploy your application closer to your users by choosing specific AWS regions.
  • Security Compliance: Have full control over security configurations to meet industry standards.
  • Community and Support: As an open-source project, OpenNext benefits from community contributions and transparency.

Conclusion

OpenNext empowers Next.js developers to harness the full potential of AWS’s serverless ecosystem with minimal effort. By offering an alternative to platforms like Vercel and traditional Node.js deployments, it provides greater control, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
Whether you’re building a small blog or a large-scale enterprise application, OpenNext simplifies the deployment process, allowing you to focus on what you do best—building great applications.


Ready to get started?