Provisioned and On-Demand Capacity

5 minutes 5 Questions

Provisioned and On-Demand capacity are two different throughput modes for Amazon DynamoDB that help you manage the read and write capacity of your tables. Provisioned capacity mode allows you to specify the number of read and write capacity units per second, suitable for predictable workloads with consistent performance requirements. It ensures high performance and low latency during periods of high demand, but requires manual management if needs change. On-Demand capacity mode automatically manages the scaling of read and write capacity and charges only for the capacity you actually use, making it suitable for unpredictable workloads with spikes in demand. It offers flexibility and cost efficiency for scenarios with irregular usage patterns. The choice between these modes is based on the workload and cost considerations for the application.

Guide on Provisioned and On-Demand Capacity in Amazon DynamoDB

What is Provisioned and On-Demand Capacity?
Provisioned capacity is the maximum amount of read and write capacity that an application can consume from a table or index. It is a set amount of reads/writes per second that one anticipates on the table. DynamoDB reserves this capacity for your use.
On the other hand, On-Demand capacity allows reads/writes on your table as needed up to the maximum allowed by Amazon DynamoDB. It doesn't require capacity planning and provides flexibility.
Why is it important?
Understanding the difference and when to use Provisioned or On-Demand capacity is critical in optimizing resources, controlling costs, maintaining performance, and ensuring that your DynamoDB tables are scaled correctly for your application's needs.
How it works?
When you opt for Provisioned capacity, you specify the amount of capacity you think you'll need. DynamoDB will throttle requests that exceed this limit. With On-Demand capacity, you're charged for the actual reads/writes consumed, its scales up or down automatically to accommodate the traffic patterns.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Provisioned and On-Demand Capacity
Remember, Provisioned mode is suitable when you know your workloads and capacity required in advance, whereas On-Demand is useful when usage is unpredictable. In exam questions, look for clear indicators of traffic patterns, workload predictability, or cost sensitivity to help determine which mode is appropriate for the scenario.

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