Amazon RDS – Consider Upgrading Version to Avoid Extended Support Costs

Database engine versions that reach end-of-standard support can significantly increase operational costs for organizations running Amazon RDS instances. Upgrading to a newer database engine version can help eliminate additional extended support fees while improving performance, security, and overall database efficiency.

Why This Policy Matters

Extended support for older database engine versions comes with substantial financial implications:

• Increased Operational Costs: Extended support can add 100-150% to existing database infrastructure expenses

• Security Risks: Older versions may lack critical security patches and updates

• Performance Limitations: Newer database engine versions offer improved performance and features

• Cost Impact and Savings Potential

Real-World Cost Example

A Single Availability Zone RDS database running MySQL 5.7 with the following configuration:

Instance Class: db.t3.large

Storage: 20GB SSD

Monthly Base Cost: ~$101

Extended Support Cost Breakdown:

Additional Monthly Cost: $146

Total Monthly Expense: $247

Cost Increase: 140%

Potential Annual Savings: Approximately $1,752 by upgrading to a supported version

Implementation Guide

Identifying Affected Resources

Before upgrading, identify RDS instances running unsupported or soon-to-be unsupported database engine versions:

Review AWS RDS console

• Check database engine version and support status

• Analyze compatibility with current application requirements

Infrastructure-as-Code Upgrade Example (Terraform)

Before (Unsupported Version)

resource "aws_db_instance" "example" {
  engine         = "mysql"
  engine_version = "5.7"
  # Other configuration parameters
}

resource "aws_db_instance" "example" {
  engine         = "mysql"
  engine_version = "5.7"
  # Other configuration parameters
}

resource "aws_db_instance" "example" {
  engine         = "mysql"
  engine_version = "5.7"
  # Other configuration parameters
}

After (Upgraded Version)

resource "aws_db_instance" "example" {
  engine         = "mysql"
  engine_version = "8.0"
  # Other configuration parameters
}

resource "aws_db_instance" "example" {
  engine         = "mysql"
  engine_version = "8.0"
  # Other configuration parameters
}

resource "aws_db_instance" "example" {
  engine         = "mysql"
  engine_version = "8.0"
  # Other configuration parameters
}

Manual Upgrade Steps

• Create a database snapshot

• Test upgrade in a staging environment

Schedule maintenance window

• Perform version upgrade

• Verify application compatibility

Best Practices

• Staged Upgrades: Implement upgrades incrementally

• Compatibility Testing: Thoroughly test application performance

• Backup: Always create a full database backup before upgrading

• Monitoring: Track performance metrics during and after upgrade

Tools and Automation

Several tools can help streamline the upgrade process:

AWS Database Migration Service

AWS Schema Conversion Tool

Infracost: Identifies and helps prevent costly database configuration issues

Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: Enterprise Database

• Current Setup: MySQL 5.7 on multiple RDS instances

• Annual Extended Support Cost: $25,000

Upgrade Investment: $5,000

• Net Savings: $20,000 per year

• Scenario 2: Small to Medium Business

• Current Setup: Single RDS instance with outdated PostgreSQL version

• Monthly Extended Support Cost: $200

• Upgrade Effort: Minimal configuration changes

Annual Savings: $2,400

Considerations and Caveats

Potential challenges during database engine upgrades:

• Application Compatibility: Some features might change

• Downtime Requirements: Upgrades may necessitate brief service interruption

• Complex Migrations: Large databases might require more complex migration strategies

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should I upgrade my RDS database engine?
Typically every 1-2 years or when approaching end-of-standard support.

What are the risks of not upgrading?
Increased costs, security vulnerabilities, and potential performance degradation.

Can Infracost help me identify these upgrade opportunities?
Yes, Infracost’s free trial includes policy checks that can identify potential cost-saving upgrade scenarios.

How long does a typical RDS upgrade take?
Depending on database size, upgrades can take 10-60 minutes.

Are there any data loss risks during upgrade?
When following proper procedures and creating snapshots, data loss risks are minimal.