Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The August 21, 2024, AWS NET+ Tech Share gathered several institutions and organizations, including AWS, to discuss cloud migration strategies, technical updates, and resource optimization. Here's a summary of the key points and insights shared.
Recent and Upcoming Events
Several upcoming events and resources were highlighted:
- AWS Landing Zone Accelerator Community of Practice monthly meetings (next one in September 3)
- NET+ AWS Strat Call - Unlocking AWS Private Marketplace (August 21)
- CCCG Monthly Call - Up in the Cloud: ERP Modernization (August 28)
- AWS SAAC Cohort #8 (August 26 – October 11)
- AWS Security on the Cloud course (September 9 - October 21)
- re:Invent 2024 (December 2-6)
- Community Conferences
- Internet2 TechEx in Boston (December 9-13, registration open), featuring an AWS GameDay
- Internet2 CommEx in Anaheim (April 28 - May 1, 2025, CfP open)
- Cloud Forum 2025 at NYU (May 20-22, 2025)
Attendees were also reminded of recent blog posts and a TD Synnex webinar on cost efficiency through Reserved Instances and Savings Plans (recording | slides).
Technical Updates
- AI Opt-out Button: AWS introduced a one click button allowing organizations to opt-out in providing service improvement content to AWS for AI services.
- S3 Conditional Writes: Amazon S3 now supports conditional writes, enhancing data consistency and control.
Institution Spotlight: LMU's Enterprise Migration
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) shared insights from their ongoing enterprise migration to AWS:
- Currently migrating Banner, including system rearchitecting
- Moving suitable services to AWS to shut down one of two data centers
- Utilizing parts of AWS's Migration Accelerator Program (MAP)
AWS representatives emphasized that the MAP program can provide unexpected insights, including potential licensing cost savings. They encouraged other institutions to consider at least the assessment phase of MAP. It can turn up a lot of useful information and opportunities.
Community Discussion: Choosing the Right EC2 Instance Type
Carnegie Mellon University raised a question about guiding end-users in selecting appropriate EC2 instance types, sparking a discussion:
- Need for simplified guidance without navigating extensive AWS documentation
- Interest in tools for both new deployments and modifications to existing workloads
- Recommendations:
- Leverage your AWS account team
- Use third-party tool like: https://instances.vantage.sh/
- Potential of AWS Q for instance type recommendations
Conclusion
The August AWS NET+ Tech Share provided valuable insights into cloud migration strategies and fostered community discussion on optimizing AWS resource usage. For those looking to dive deeper into EC2 instance selection, AWS provides a starting guide: https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/ec2-instance-choose-type-for-workload
Join us for the next AWS NET+ Tech Share, which promises more insights and collaborative discussions.
Be sure to check out other blog posts we've written. As always, feel free to send any feedback to tmanik[at]internet2[dot]edu.