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Databases - Microsoft Workloads Lens - AWS Well-Architected Framework

Databases

Managing SQL Server costs effectively is crucial for organizations running Microsoft workloads on AWS. AWS provides various optimization strategies, from flexible licensing options and instance consolidation to edition right-sizing and modernization paths. Whether leveraging BYOL, exploring SQL Server on Linux, or considering migration to cloud-native alternatives like Aurora PostgreSQL with Babelfish, organizations can significantly reduce database costs while maintaining performance and reliability.

MSFTCOST03: How do you save on SQL Server costs?

AWS offers different options to run Microsoft SQL Server and leverage existing licenses.

MSFTCOST04: How do you modernize your Microsoft SQL Server workloads?

When embarking on a journey to modernize legacy databases for improved scalability, performance, and cost optimization, organizations often face challenges with commercial databases like SQL Server, which can be expensive, create vendor lock-in, and impose restrictive licensing terms. Migrating to open-source databases offers a viable solution, with options like Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL providing an attractive alternative. This transition allows companies to save on Windows and SQL Server licensing costs while benefiting from the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of open-source solutions. Cloud-native modern databases like Aurora combine these advantages with enterprise-grade features typically associated with commercial databases, offering a compelling compromise. By refactoring SQL Server databases to such platforms, organizations can achieve significant cost savings and enhanced performance without sacrificing robustness or reliability.