How Netflix Uses the Cloud - AWS

How they Use AWS Services

Binge-watching 🍿has become more and more of a phenomena. Netflix 🎬 has transformed the way we watch shows. Beneath its interface 🔍 is a really sophisticated system that effortlessly introduces new shows, movies 🎥 and beams them to countless devices 📱💻 worldwide.

Today, we'll take a deep dive into the magic ✨ behind Netflix's content orchestration and distribution, and unravel the AWS cloud ☁️ mechanics that support its beautiful framework. 🌐🛠️

1. The Netflix Magic 🎬🍿

Step 1: Metadata and Shows ✨

We start our Netflix adventure with its administrators 🧙‍♂️ uploading fresh episodes and movies, with metadata such as tags 🏷️, titles 📜, and descriptions 🖋️. The metadata is the backbone of organizing and categorizing shows, making your search for the next binge-watch, sleek and smooth. The metadata will be stored in the Elasticsearch/OpenSearch Database 🗃️, renowned for their flash ⚡ speed search !

Step 2: Uploading and Process Videos! 🎥➡️☁️

Once our Admin hits the upload button, the video 🎞️ is uploaded to an Amazon S3 bucket 🪣. To make sure everyone, no matter their device 📱💻🖥️ or internet speed 🌐, gets a flawless viewing 🍿 experience, once uploaded, the video gets a a complete makeover 💄. Thanks to AWS Elemental MediaConvert 🌀, the video is converted into various sizes (4K, 1080p, 720p), perfectly fitting all screen sizes.

Step 3: AI Content Analysis in Action! 🔍🤖

Next, let's get into quality checks. For that, Netflix uses its AWS Rekognition 🧠⚙️. It meticulously scans 🕵️‍♂️ all uploaded videos to spot any sensitive 🚫 content 📼. Thanks to this tool 🤖🔍, Netflix ensures that their platform remains a safe and wholesome space for all viewers. After all it is safety first, binge later! 🛡️🍿

Step 4: AWS Step Functions for Parallel Processing 🤹⚙️

We all have our shows that we are impatiently waiting to watch on our favorite streaming platform. So the Netflix team cannot wait and upload one movie then another. To fix this, Netflix amped up its efficiency by using AWS Step Functions for speedy parallel processing 🌌⏩of videos. Think of AWS Step Functions as a series 🎼of tasks, from content scanning 🔄 to AI content analysis 🔍🤖 (Step 1 to 3), all at the same beat. With all these processes happening side by side, not only does the waiting time ⏳ drop drastically, but in addition the whole Netflix ecosystem runs even smoother 🚀✨.

Step 5: Smart Storage Frequent vs Infrequent Access 📦🔄

Once the processing is completed, our videos are stored in a frequently used Amazon S3 bucket 🥂💼, where it's all set for prime time. Here's the smart bit: any movie or episode that is not frequently watched 🤷‍♂️📉, gets transferred to a cozy spot in the 'chill-zone' S3 Glacier 🛋️🪣. This storage switch-ups 🕺💃 not only ensure that costs are kept low 💲⚖️ but also that resources are used in the best way possible 🧠⚡

Efficiency meets elegance! 🎩✨

Step 6: Deep Freeze Dive for Rare Gems 🏔️❄️

What about those shows and episodes 🎬 that only a select few cherish 💎? Netflix keeps them Amazon S3 Glacier. Think of AWS S3 Glacier as a vault 🗝️ where cinematic rarities are safely kept, until needed. This multi-layered storage strategy 🍰 ensures that all Netflix's content is cost-effective.

A balance of budget 💸 and value 💡 with flair! 🎉🌌

Next -> The Nextflix Express Lane

Step 7: Netflix and AWS CDN (Open Connect) 🚀🎥

In 2020, Netflix became and international phenomenon. They needed to provide similar seamless quality to their international customers. As a solution, Netflix used AWS' Content Delivery Network, Open Connect 🌐⚡ Open Connect uses AWS' Edge Locations located internationally to slash wait times 🕐 making sure their next binge-worthy shows are just a blink away 📺✨.

Lightning-quick movie magic! 🍿🎬🎉

Step 8: Diving Deep with Data Magic 🔍✨

The one thing which too many people seem not really that important but which makes all the difference to all companies, is data. To unlock the mysteries of its user habits 🕵️‍♂️💡 and system prowess 🖥️🚀, Netflix uses ELK stack trio: Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana.

How do they all work together to make Netflix better ?

First Elasticsearch the detective, sorts and stashes away logs (clues) 📁🔍; next, Logstash the craftsman, processes and channels the data 🌊⚙️; and Kibana? The artist 🎨, paints beautiful data visualizations for Netflix engineers to use. With this dynamic trio, Netflix ensures every move is backed by data 📊 and strategy🪄!

2. Netflix and us, viewers 🌍✨

Step 1: One Service, Many Screens 📺📱💻🎮

Now let us step into our shoes. Whether you're on a smartphone 📱, TV 📺, laptop 💻, or even a gaming console 🎮, you can access your favorite streaming platform. This chameleon-like adaptability ensures that no matter your device, you always have access to 🍿🎬the same responsive, seamless and beautiful user experience.

Step 2: A Dazzling Dance of Design and Delivery 🌐💃

Whenever you open Netflix, you're actually viewing their website built using the magical React.js 🪄🖥️. React.js is a JavaScript library and is what gives you a dazzling experience. When you halt on a movie, a video snippet plays which captivates 🌀🎨 your attention. And who ties it all together? The CDN (Open Connect), acting as the bridge 🌉, ensuring that every video and frame is delivered in perfect harmony 🎶🎬.

Step 3: Searching for a show 🔍💎

Looking for your next show? Go to the search page of Netflix and type away! 🎹✨ As you search, the website communicates with the CDN 🌐, which connects with Netflix's backstage — AWS API Gateway and microservices 🎩⚙️. This triggers a Lambda function (a magic spell) if you will 🪄⚡, which will go and search / query the database, using the metadata you provided.

Your personal concierge for your binge-watching journey. 🍿🌟

Step 4: Using CDN for Video Delivery🚂✨

Once the search is complete, the CDN (Open Connect), like a cinematic librarian 🤓📚, will quickly grab the video's metadata from the digital archives -> Database and, at the same time, connects to the S3 bucket where the shows🎬🪣 are kept. Both the movie's metadata (details) and the movie itself will be cached / stashed within the CDN 🌐🎥, prepping for future movie nights.

Step 5: Seamless Playback 🍿🌌

Thanks to CDN's (Open Connect) 🌐 smart caching / stashing skills 🧠🔐, frequently accessed content are very smooth (minimal latency)! Regardless of a user's location 🌍, this caching mechanism ensures a lag-free experience 🎥💨. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a seamless cinema spree! 🛋️🎉

Conclusion 🌟

I am still to study the backend of other streaming platforms. However from my research, Netflix's behind-the-scenes magic ✨ is nothing short of tech wizardry 🎩🔮. First with AWS's unique tools and power trio - Elemental MediaConvert, Rekognition, and Step Functions, Netflix consistently concocts a potion of optimized content 🏰. In addition to that, AWS' storage solutions 🗄️, Open Connect CDN 🌐⚡, and ELK 🔍 ensures that viewers like you and I get a cost-friendly, lightning-quick 🚀, and always-on 🌍 streaming experience.

As all our screens connect to Netflix 📺📱💻, one thing is very clear - their promise of delivering seamless content, remains unwavering 🤘🎬!