Cost Optimization

5 minutes 5 Questions

AWS Solutions Architects need to ensure cost-effective data processing and storage when using Amazon EMR. There are several ways to optimize cost in EMR clusters. First, you can use different pricing models, such as On-Demand, Reserved, or Spot instances, depending on your workload requirements and budget. Spot instances are especially cost-effective for transient workloads, but they come with the risk of termination when your bid price is exceeded. Second, with instance fleets or instance groups, you can control the mixture of instance types to balance performance, availability, and cost-effectively. Third, you can use EMR Auto Scaling to automatically adjust the size of the cluster based on processing demands, ensuring you only pay for the resources you actually use. Lastly, choosing the appropriate data storage between HDFS, S3, and other options impacts cost directly, as well as operational expenses associated with data management.

Guide: AWS Solution Architect - Amazon EMR Cost Optimization

The concept of 'Cost Optimization' in Amazon EMR is an essential part of the AWS Solution Architect exam.

Why it is Important:
Cost Optimization allows users to manage costs effectively, curbing unnecessary spending while maximizing the benefits of AWS services. It plays a crucial part in maintaining profitability and providing cost-efficient solutions.

What it is:
Amazon EMR Cost Optimization involves strategies to use Amazon EMR more efficiently, like choosing the right pricing model, using Auto Scaling, managing data transfer costs, and more. It is a part of the AWS well-architected framework's cost optimization pillar.

How it Works:
Amazon EMR allows running big data frameworks like Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark on AWS. To optimize costs, you can select On-demand or spot instances based on your needs, leverage auto-scaling to match the capacity with demand, manage data transfer costs, and monitor with Cost Explorer.

Exam Tips:
Keep in mind that choosing the most cost-effective strategies, like selecting the right instance types and pricing models, are essential. Always consider elements like auto-scaling, data transfer costs, and cost monitoring in your answers.

Answering Questions on Cost Optimization:
Typically, exam questions on this topic involve multiple parts where you will need to select the most cost-effective approach while meeting the scenario's requirements. Examine the answers carefully, looking for the options that demonstrate the most practical and cost-effective use of Amazon EMR.

Test mode:

Exam (Timed)

Practice (With explanations)

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Question 1

While reviewing monthly costs, it is observed that the company's Amazon S3 storage expenses are overwhelmingly high. Which method can be used to reduce these costs?

Migrate all data back to on-premises storage. Increase the replication factor for better cost optimization. Compress objects before uploading them without enabling server-side encryption. Implement lifecycle policies that transition objects to lower-cost storage classes.

Correct Answer: Implement lifecycle policies that transition objects to lower-cost storage classes.

A proper way to reduce S3 storage costs is to implement lifecycle policies that transition objects to lower-cost storage classes such as S3 One Zone-Infrequent Access or S3 Glacier. Other options may lead to data loss, additional costs or storage management issues.

Question 2

A company wants to optimize its database costs while maintaining high availability. What solution should be implemented?

Purchase dedicated high-capacity hardware for an on-premises database. Utilize Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ deployment. Choose Amazon RDS without Multi-AZ and rely on manual snapshot backups. Run multiple highly available databases in parallel for redundancy.

Correct Answer: Utilize Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ deployment.

Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ deployment provides high availability with lowered costs compared to running multiple highly available databases in parallel or opting for other non-AWS solutions. Other options may lead to higher costs, decreased availability or increased management complexity.

Question 3

A web application experienced sudden traffic fluctuations, resulting in variable infrastructure costs. What combination of services can properly handle scaling and cost optimization?

Manually scale the infrastructure based on forecasted demand. Opt for the highest capacity EC2 instances to accommodate peak loads even during low usage periods. Deploy multiple EC2 On-Demand Instances and use them full-time. Use Auto Scaling and EC2 Spot Instances.

Correct Answer: Use Auto Scaling and EC2 Spot Instances.

Auto Scaling and EC2 Spot Instances provide a cost-effective way to handle traffic fluctuations by dynamically scaling the infrastructure based on real-time demand. Other options may lead to overprovisioning, unnecessary costs or poor performance.

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