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it_user422652 - PeerSpot reviewer
DBA at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Consultant
Infrastructural issues are handled automatically. Some database components are not available, including RAC.

Pros:

  • Very easy to start with. No need to mess around with OS requirements.
  • All infrastructural issues are handled automatically; backups, patching.

Cons:

  • Some features are disabled, like running "alter system/database". There are Amazon alternatives, but it is not transparent to the application. When migrating an existing application, it should be adopted. Also, using these Amazon alternatives produces "cloud-lock", since they exist only in AWS.
  • Some database components are not available. Most remarkable is the absence of RAC.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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reviewer1410678 - PeerSpot reviewer
Data Analyst at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Easy to use, flexible, powerful, and stable
Pros and Cons
  • "It is easy to use, flexible, and powerful."
  • "When you are using it for the first time, it is a little bit hard to configure. The first-time configuration is not very easy. It should be easier to configure. Its installation should also be simpler. Currently, its installation is very complex. With SQL Server, we have access to the SQL Server analysis services and reporting services, but such services are not available with Amazon RDS."

What is our primary use case?

It is used for multiple needs. We have a transaction system with multiple databases, such as SQL Server and MySQL.

What is most valuable?

It is easy to use, flexible, and powerful.

What needs improvement?

When you are using it for the first time, it is a little bit hard to configure. The first-time configuration is not very easy. It should be easier to configure.

Its installation should also be simpler. Currently, its installation is very complex.

With SQL Server, we have access to the SQL Server analysis services and reporting services, but such services are not available with Amazon RDS.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for a couple of months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have around ten users of this solution. We plan to keep using this solution.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have not interacted with them.

How was the initial setup?

Its installation is very complex. It takes one whole day.

What about the implementation team?

I did it with the help of someone else. We have three or four people for deployment and maintenance.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It is less expensive than SQL Server. We pay based on the usage on a monthly basis.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Amazon RDS an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Samuel Ebite - PeerSpot reviewer
AICE Graduate at alx_africa
Real User
Top 20
Ensure high availability with robust encryption and seamless backups
Pros and Cons
  • "Amazon RDS provides data encryption using services like KMS, crucial for securing high-sensitive data and meeting compliance requirements such as HIPAA or PCI DSS."
  • "For improvements, Amazon RDS could work on more features for multi-availability zone deployment to enhance higher availability, and on simplifying migration for those transitioning from on-premises to cloud environments."
  • "For improvements, Amazon RDS could work on more features for multi-availability zone deployment to enhance higher availability, and on simplifying migration for those transitioning from on-premises to cloud environments."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case for Amazon RDS is to optimize database management. The technology is utilized to ensure high availability, deploying the RDS technology across multiple availability zones for better fault tolerance and minimized downtime. 

Its use case is critical for applications that require high availability. Additionally, it is valuable for scalability with features like read replicas and storage auto-scaling, allowing easy scaling with increased users.

What is most valuable?

Amazon RDS provides data encryption using services like KMS, crucial for securing high-sensitive data and meeting compliance requirements such as HIPAA or PCI DSS. 

The best practices we've employed with RDS help design a well-architected framework, encompassing security, encryption, scalability with multi-availability zone deployment, and operational excellence with automated backups. RDS features, such as reserved instances, storage auto-scaling, monitoring with technologies like CloudWatch, and proxies, contribute to cost optimization. 

The solution enhances security with IAM authentication and offers high availability to end users.

What needs improvement?

For improvements, Amazon RDS could work on more features for multi-availability zone deployment to enhance higher availability, and on simplifying migration for those transitioning from on-premises to cloud environments. Improved data migration services would enable easier transitions to the cloud.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Amazon RDS for close to a year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Amazon RDS is very stable when deployed correctly across different zones with the right configurations. This setup ensures the database continues to operate even if one zone faces issues, maintaining business continuity and user access.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Amazon RDS excels in scalability, and I would give it a ten out of ten. Its automated scaling, both in storage and instances, is vital as it eliminates manual interventions. The system is reliable in handling fluctuations in user demand.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup process of Amazon RDS is straightforward if you follow the deployment steps carefully, which includes selecting the database engine, configuring storage, and setting up networking. I would rate the ease of setup as eight out of ten due to the need for customization.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I find the pricing of Amazon RDS fair, as AWS operates on a pay-for-what-you-use model. Auto scalability helps handle varying demand, making it cost-efficient without overprovisioning resources.

What other advice do I have?

For anyone considering Amazon RDS, it's critical to learn about the technology and understand why you want to use it for solving particular problems. RDS is a go-to solution for database management due to its automation, scalability, and security. 

On a scale from one to ten, I would rate Amazon RDS overall as nine. It is an excellent choice for managing relational databases with its comprehensive support for automation, scalability, and security.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
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Samuel Ebite - PeerSpot reviewer
Samuel EbiteAICE Graduate at alx_africa
Top 20Real User

I sincerely appreciate PeerSpot for providing me with the platform to share my insights on Amazon RDS. It’s an incredible opportunity to engage with a community of tech enthusiasts and contribute to meaningful discussions about top-tier technology solutions. Thank you for fostering such an environment of shared knowledge!

Karthikeyan Katkam - PeerSpot reviewer
AWS Engineer at Neurolov.ai
Real User
Enhancing and easing database management through simplified monitoring and updates
Pros and Cons
  • "It offers an easy-to-use interface that allows me to monitor instances and update necessary features conveniently."
  • "Amazon RDS makes it easier for me to manage databases compared to traditional databases like MongoDB or local host servers."
  • "The setup might be a bit challenging for multi-level applications."

What is our primary use case?

I am using Amazon RDS and CDMS clients for monitoring databases. I have set up multi-level servers for data collection and application development.

What is most valuable?

Amazon RDS makes it easier for me to manage databases compared to traditional databases like MongoDB or local host servers. It offers an easy-to-use interface that allows me to monitor instances and update necessary features conveniently. This convenience is significant for both local and remote data management.

What needs improvement?

I do not have any specific areas for improvement as I am still in the initial stages of using Amazon RDS.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using RDS for the past two years on a personal level and for the last three months at a company as an intern.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I only encountered stability issues twice when setting up the multi-layer RDS servers, which were resolved through AWS resources.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have not experienced any scalability issues while using Amazon RDS, and the solution meets my needs for both local and remote data management.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I previously used Microsoft Azure for application development. I switched to AWS due to more affordable pricing over long-term plans.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup depends on the complexity of the applications. While it might be a bit challenging for multi-level applications, single or double-step setups are straightforward.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

AWS is affordable compared to Microsoft Azure. While Azure provides great services, long-term plans on AWS are 20% to 30% cheaper.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I evaluated Microsoft Azure and currently explore IBM Cloud Services.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend RDS to anyone who asks me about it. 

On a scale of one to ten, I would rate Amazon RDS as eight.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Buyer's Guide
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Updated: November 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Amazon RDS Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.