Purpose of rate limits
The implementation of rate limits serves several critical purposes:- Protecting resources: Rate limits prevent resource exhaustion by ensuring that no single user or process monopolises system resources. This is especially important in serverless environments where scaling is automatic but not free.
- Ensuring fair access: By capping the number of requests per user or API key, rate limits ensure equitable access to services for all users.
- Preventing abuse: They act as a safeguard against malicious activities such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks or brute force attempts.
- Cost management: Rate limits help control operational costs by preventing runaway resource consumption due to bugs or heavy traffic spikes.