Use Node.js's built-in crypto module's crypto.randomInt() method to generate cryptographically secure random numbers for OTPs, ensuring sufficient length (e.g., 6 digits). The article provides a generateOtp function demonstrating this best practice.

Rate limiting protects against brute-force attacks by limiting the number of requests from a single IP address within a specific time window. The article uses @fastify/rate-limit to safeguard OTP endpoints. If REDIS_URL is provided then redis will be used for rate limiting, otherwise an in-memory store will be used which is not suitable for production and is prone to errors

Use the @fastify/env plugin to load and validate environment variables. Create a schema defining variable types and defaults. Load a .env file for local development and set system environment variables in production, as described in the article's setup steps.

The @fastify/sensible plugin provides sensible defaults for Fastify applications, including standard HTTP error handling, simplifying error management. It allows you to avoid explicitly handling every potential error condition within your route logic.

Use the @fastify/redis plugin to integrate a Redis server for storing OTPs. Provide the REDIS_URL environment variable and the plugin will handle the connection. The article demonstrates implementing Redis-based storeOtp and verifyOtp functions and using them conditionally.

A user requests an OTP via a Fastify server, which generates and stores the OTP using Redis or an in-memory store (for development). The server then uses AWS SNS to send the OTP to the user's phone via SMS. The user submits the OTP to the server, which verifies it against the stored value.

The article recommends a structure with directories for routes, services, config, and tests. This approach separates API definitions, business logic, environment settings, and automated tests, promoting maintainability and testability.

Node.js's non-blocking nature handles concurrent OTP requests efficiently, while Fastify provides a fast and extensible framework for building the API layer. This combination is well-suited for real-time OTP generation and verification.

You need an AWS IAM user with, at minimum, the sns:Publish permission or AmazonSNSFullAccess policy (though less secure). Access Key ID and Secret Access Key for this IAM user are required to interact with the SNS service and are stored in a local .env file.

You need Node.js and npm installed, an AWS account with IAM and SNS permissions, basic understanding of JavaScript and Fastify, a terminal, and optionally a Redis server for production OTP storage.

Implement 2FA by first setting up a Fastify project with required dependencies like fastify-aws-sns, then configuring an AWS IAM user with SNS permissions. Next, create an OTP service to generate, store, and verify OTPs, using Redis for production. Finally, define Fastify routes to request and verify OTPs, integrating rate limiting and error handling.

The fastify-aws-sns plugin simplifies interaction with the AWS Simple Notification Service (SNS) API within a Fastify application. It streamlines the process of sending SMS messages containing OTP codes to users for two-factor authentication.

Redis is recommended for production OTP storage due to its persistence, performance, and ability to handle TTL efficiently. In-memory storage, while simpler for development, lacks persistence and is not reliable in a production setting where server restarts can occur.

Use "Transactional" for OTP messages as it's optimized for high reliability and delivery speed. "Promotional" is a lower-cost option, but not ideal for time-sensitive verification codes. The article recommends defaulting to Transactional and shows how to set this via environment variables or AWS account defaults.

Yes, you can customize the SMS sender ID, but regional support and regulations vary. The article advises using the SNS_SMS_SENDER_ID environment variable, which provides per-application flexibility, along with appropriate configuration within the AWS console to establish default sender IDs or override custom ones.