[sushshshsh]

Is it really that expensive to keep a server running 24/7 vis a vis the development complexity of lambdas?

It depends on your work load. And your trust level in Amazon of course.

[k__]

No it isn't expensive to keep a server running 24/7.

It's expensive to keep that server maintained.

[bigphishy]

Updating a typical linux server can seem daunting, but it is not complex. For example to update a centos linux system:

rpm -qa | grep -i kernel && yum -y update && reboot && ..... After system comes back online, ensure the kernel is a newer version rpm -qa | grep -i kernel

Other utilities like ukuu for debian or ubuntu systems make updating the kernel a breeze.

If you're worried about specific packages, sure that can be daunting, so avoid updating software you are concerned about breaking ( keep an eye on security alerts for that software, which you should be doing anyway if you are using it on a VM container, or serverless... none are immune to vulnerabilities! ) and do not install unnecessary software.

[bcrosby95]

Not really. We have about 20 servers. We spend around one person-day per month maintaining them.