We stopped using serverless. The results are insane.

What are the key improvements in UploadThing V7?

UploadThing V7 marks a significant upgrade, introducing several key improvements aimed at enhancing user experience and functionality.

• Speed Improvements: The most notable enhancement is the 5x speed increase in file uploads. This leap in performance ensures faster, more efficient uploads, drastically reducing wait times for users.

• Pause and Resume Functionality: Users can now pause and resume uploads seamlessly. This is especially beneficial for those dealing with spotty or unreliable internet connections, ensuring a smoother upload process.

• Support for Remix: The new version adds support for Remix, offering fresh functionalities for developers using this framework. Keep an eye out for new features and packages designed specifically for Remix users.

These advancements make UploadThing V7 a robust and user-friendly option for file uploads, delivering significant improvements in speed, flexibility, and integration capabilities.

How did UploadThing achieve a 5x speed increase?

UploadThing V7 brings a monumental speed boost, enabling file uploads to be up to five times faster. Achieving this remarkable performance involves several intricate technical changes.

1. Move Away from S3 Direct Uploads: Initially, files were uploaded directly to S3, causing significant overhead. By switching to an in-house ingest server, UploadThing eliminated delays caused by S3's limitations.

2. Introduction of the Ingest Server: The new ingest server can forward packets directly to S3, drastically reducing upload time. This streamlined approach ensures faster uploads without the need for continuous polling.

3. Optimized Network Overhead: The number of network requests was cut from seven to three, significantly reducing the complexity and time required for uploads.

4. Token-Based Architecture: The new UploadThing token structure directs files to the correct server based on regions, minimizing latency and speeding up the entire process.

5. Reduced Client-Side Bundle Size: By slimming down the client-side code by 30%, the overall process became quicker, enhancing UploadThing's performance.

These improvements, combined with the ability to manage uploads more efficiently, elevate UploadThing V7 to a new level of file upload speed optimization.

What are the benefits of the new ingest server?

The introduction of the new ingest server in UploadThing V7 brings array of advantages that enhance the overall upload experience:

• Reduced Network Overhead: By cutting the number of network requests from seven to three, the new server significantly decreases the complexity and time required for uploads.

• Better Control Over Uploads: The architecture allows servers to hold the connection and validate uploads, ensuring a smoother, more controlled process.

• Ability to Use Different Storage Solutions: The ingest server enables flexibility to use various storage options beyond S3, such as Azure or personal buckets, enhancing customization and scalability.

This new functionality underpins the remarkable improvements in UploadThing performance and paves the way for future innovations.

Why is UploadThing no longer serverless?

UploadThing has taken a significant step away from a serverless architecture. This change was driven by a need to enhance speed and reliability.

"There is a real cost here, though. We are running our own ingest server now. That means we're no longer serverless. Our infrastructure is significantly more complex now, in the sense that this exists. But our infrastructure overall is comically simpler as a result."

Previously, file uploads were managed through a complex series of interactions involving S3 and various APIs. This often led to higher latency and multiple points of failure. By introducing a dedicated ingest server, UploadThing has drastically reduced these bottlenecks.

The new infrastructure:

• Simplifies the process by cutting down the number of network requests.
• Provides better control over the upload process.
• Allows for immediate validation and processing of files.

Switching from serverless to this new approach helps reduce complexity while making the system more robust. It also opens the door for enhanced file validation and future feature expansions, making UploadThing more versatile and powerful than ever before.

How does UploadThing handle file validation and security?

UploadThing V7 brings significant improvements in file validation and security. These enhancements ensure safer and more reliable file uploads.

• Comprehensive File Validation: Every upload is checked against allocated capacities and adheres to specified mime types, ensuring file integrity.

• Security Checks: New capabilities enable us to scan and verify files for safety, providing an extra layer of security.

• Potential for Future Features: The updated infrastructure opens up possibilities like automatic illegal file scanning, enhancing overall user protection.

These changes not only boost UploadThing performance, but also offer more robust security and validation mechanisms.

What is the impact of these changes on developers?

The changes in UploadThing V7 significantly benefit developers by simplifying integration, reducing complexity, and opening new possibilities.

Ease of Integration:

• Simpler Implementation: Developers can now manage uploads without intricate setup. This results in quicker deployments and less time spent troubleshooting.
• Better Control: The new ingest server provides more control, allowing developers to handle file processing and validation precisely.

Reduced Complexity:

• Fewer Network Requests: The new architecture reduces the number of network requests required, cutting from seven to three. This streamlines the process and reduces potential points of failure.
• Consolidated Workflow: By handling more tasks internally, UploadThing takes on complexities that developers previously had to manage manually.

Custom Bucket Usage:

• Bring Your Own Bucket: The new infrastructure supports different storage solutions like Azure and personal buckets. This flexibility means developers can integrate UploadThing into their existing storage systems seamlessly.

These improvements not only make UploadThing easier to integrate but also enhance UploadThing performance, making it a more powerful tool for developers.