HNCOST04-BP02 Select cost-effective regions and availability zones
Selecting the appropriate AWS Region and Availability Zone (AZ) is crucial for optimizing hybrid networking and reducing data transfer costs. AWS pricing for services such as compute, storage, and data transfer can vary significantly across regions due to differences in operational costs, local demand, and infrastructure. However, it is important to balance cost savings with performance, compliance, and data residency requirements. Some regions may have lower prices but might also have limited services availability or higher latency for end users. Regularly reviewing AWS pricing updates and reassessing region and AZ choices ensures ongoing cost efficiency as your needs evolve.
Desired outcome: Minimize infrastructure and data transfer costs by strategically placing resources in regions and AZs that offer the best balance of price, performance, and compliance.
Level of risk exposed if this best practice is not established: Medium
Benefits of establishing this best practice:
-
Significant reduction in compute, storage, and data transfer costs
-
Improved cost predictability for DR and test environments
-
Enhanced ability to scale and optimize hybrid workloads
-
Opportunity to leverage AWS pricing differences for competitive advantage
Implementation guidance
-
Compare regional pricing for compute, storage, and data transfer before deploying workloads
-
Use lower-cost regions for DR, backups, and test platforms where performance and compliance permit
-
Minimize inter-region and inter-AZ data transfers to avoid additional charges
-
Consider service availability and latency when selecting regions and AZs
-
Monitor AWS pricing changes and adjust resource placement strategies accordingly
Resources
