Title

AWS re:Invent 2022 - Managed Oracle Databases w/Amazon RDS: New features & best practices (DAT325)

Summary

• Michael Barris, a principal database solutions architect at Amazon RDS, and Manish Mohite, head of cloud engineering at Jefferies, presented at AWS re:Invent 2022.
• The session covered new features for Amazon RDS for Oracle and Amazon RDS Custom for Oracle, including how to choose between the two services for different workloads.
• Michael provided a refresher on Amazon RDS, its benefits, and the distinction between RDS for Oracle and RDS Custom for Oracle.
• New features discussed included support for Oracle versions, integration with Amazon EFS for data migration, IPv6 support, and new instance types.
• Replica promotion and switchover capabilities were introduced for RDS Oracle, with automated backups for replicas and the ability to perform DR testing without recreating replicas.
• RDS Custom for Oracle now supports multi-tenant databases and has more flexibility with version support and database management.
• Manish Mohite shared Jefferies' experience with RDS Custom for Oracle, emphasizing the importance of database freedom, license portability, AWS-managed provisioning, and integration with security tools.
• Jefferies' reference architecture included IBM Guardium, Oracle Unified Directory, Splunk, CrowdStrike, Zabbix, Atlassian tools, Route 53, KMS, Secrets Manager, CloudWatch, Systems Manager, and Service Catalog.
• Automation challenges were addressed using Systems Manager Automation documents and Service Catalog, with workflows for creating databases, personalization, and centralized certificate management.
• The conclusion highlighted the value proposition of RDS Custom for Oracle for packaged applications and the importance of leveraging AWS for undifferentiated heavy lifting.

Insights

• The session emphasized the importance of managed database services in reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) and allowing customers to focus on differentiating aspects of their applications.
• The introduction of new features such as support for IPv6 and integration with Amazon EFS for data migration indicates AWS's commitment to continuous improvement and addressing customer needs.
• The distinction between RDS for Oracle and RDS Custom for Oracle is crucial for customers with different levels of requirements for database management and customization.
• Jefferies' experience with RDS Custom for Oracle showcases a real-world application of the service, highlighting the benefits of AWS-managed services in a regulated industry like financial services.
• The session also highlighted the importance of automation in managing complex cloud environments, with Jefferies leveraging AWS tools to automate tasks and ensure compliance with their security and operational policies.
• The shared responsibility model in RDS Custom for Oracle, where AWS manages certain aspects while customers retain control over others, provides a balance between flexibility and managed service benefits.
• The session's content suggests that AWS is focused on providing a range of database solutions to cater to the diverse needs of its customers, from fully managed to customizable options.