Why Migrating from gp2 to gp3 on AWS is a No-Brainer

Today, we're diving deep into the world of Amazon EBS volumes, specifically the shift from gp2 to gp3, and why making this switch is a strategic move for your AWS resources.

If you're an AWS customer using General Purpose SSD (gp2) Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) volumes, it’s time to consider an upgrade. AWS's introduction of the gp3 volume type isn't just a small step; it’s a leap forward in cost efficiency and performance customization. So why is swapping out gp2 for gp3 such an obvious choice? Let's unpack the advantages, calculate the benefits, and navigate the switch!

The Advantages of gp3 Over gp2

1. Predictable Performance

Gp3 offers a baseline performance of 3,000 IOPS and 125 MiB/s throughput, regardless of the volume size. This decouples performance from capacity, allowing you to scale performance based on your application's needs, not just storage size.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Not only does gp3 generally cost up to 20% less per GB than gp2 volumes, but the ability to provision IOPS and throughput independently means you avoid over-provisioning (and overpaying) for storage just to meet your performance requirements.

3. Seamless Upgrade

Migration can be done with no downtime, which is critical for maintaining business operations. AWS has made the process of upgrading to gp3 almost effortless.

How to Calculate The Benefits of gp3

To quantify the benefits, start by analyzing your current gp2 usage. Monitor the IOPS and throughput for a period that represents typical usage, perhaps a week or a month.

Then, consider the baseline performance and maximum capacities of both volume types. Remember, gp3 offers baseline performance at a lower cost, with the option to scale performance independently of storage capacity.

Here's a simple comparison:

• gp2: Cost is approximately $0.10 per GB-month; IOPS scale with storage at 3 IOPS per GB.
• gp3: Cost is about $0.08 per GB-month; 3,000 IOPS and 125 MiB/s are included, regardless of size.

Download the EBS gp2 to gp3 migration cost savings calculator if you want to calculate it manually, or get in touch with us to get Stratusphere™ FinOps and get the analysis done for you!

Warning: Don't Under-Provision!

One important consideration while switching is to ensure not to provision less throughput or IOPS than what your application currently uses (unless you're certain that your application doesn’t require the performance). It might seem tempting to scale down to save costs further but be cautious. Under-provisioning can lead to undesirable performance degradation. 

The recommendation is to match the calculated IOPS and throughput based on the volume size, and you can always edit the additional throughput or IOPS after the migration.

Real-World Success: A Customer's Journey to Savings and Superior Performance with gp3

Let us conclude by sharing the real success story of a valued customer who embraced the switch from gp2 to gp3 volumes. This tale is not just about cost savings but also about achieving a significant leap in performance.

The Challenge

Our customer, who has a big global platform built on AWS, was working with us to optimize their costs with Stratusphere™ FinOps. They relied heavily on AWS gp2 volumes to support their workloads for EC2 instances and RDS databases. As their platform users grew, they continually scaled their storage size to meet the needed performance. This led to an increased cost without a proportional performance or storage utilization benefit.

The Solution

After getting the inventory of their gp2 usage across their accounts with Stratusphere™ FinOps, our team approached the customer with a proposition: migrate to gp3 to enjoy predictable performance, improve efficiency, and reduce costs without disrupting operations.

The Migration

We first conducted a comprehensive analysis of their current GP2 usage, assessing IOPS and throughput. Next, we calculated the potential savings and mapped out their IOPS and throughput utilization. The transition to gp3 volumes was seamlessly executed without interrupting their 24/7 operations, not causing any downtime.

The Outcome

Post-migration, the results were astounding:

• Cost Savings: They achieved an average EBS cost reduction of 17.95%. Every dollar saved was a dollar that could be reinvested in innovation and growth.

• Enhanced Performance: Their IOPS skyrocketed by a factor of 19.75x compared to their original gp2 volumes. This dramatic increase allowed for faster data access, boosting the performance of critical applications.

• Improved Throughput: By harnessing the power of gp3, they experienced a 3.44x increase in throughput. This allowed for quicker data transfer rates, enhancing overall system efficiency and user experience.

The Impact

The migration to gp3 volumes didn't just mean saving money; it paved the way for the company to leverage superior performance, which in turn had a ripple effect on customer satisfaction and trust. It proved to be an example of how cloud cost optimization can go hand in hand with performance upgrades - a true win-win for any AWS user.

The Takeaway

This success story underlines that moving to gp3 is not a mere consideration but a strategic imperative for those on gp2. It is a testament to how AWS's innovations can be leveraged for significant financial and performance benefits.

If you're intrigued by this customer's success and wish to explore similar opportunities, reach out to us. Let's unlock the potential of the Stratusphere™ FinOps platform for your business together.

Switching From gp2 to gp3 on AWS

In essence, the switch from gp2 to gp3 volumes is an economical and sensible decision for most applications on AWS. Not only do you get a predictable performance at a lower baseline cost, but you also gain the flexibility to tune performance independent of storage size.

Nevertheless, always do your due diligence when migrating services. Analyze your workloads, calculate the costs and potential savings, ensure you're not under-provisioning, and then enjoy the smoother, more cost-effective performance that gp3 can offer.

Boost Your AWS Performance & Savings with StratusGrid's Migration Expertise!

Are you considering the switch from gp2 to gp3 volumes, or do you have other AWS-related needs? StratusGrid is here to guide you through every step of your AWS journey, ensuring a seamless migration and optimization of your resources. 

Our team of experts specializes in AWS services, offering solutions that align with your business objectives. Whether you're looking to enhance performance, reduce costs, or both, StratusGrid is your partner in navigating the complexities of AWS. 

Contact us today to discover how we can help you achieve your AWS goals and drive your business forward.

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