AWS Pitfalls: Top 20 Anti-Patterns to Avoid
Tags: aws, sre, awsantipatterns, devops
Published: 2023-02-06 01:21:34

AWS anti-patterns refer to common mistakes made when using Amazon Web Services that can lead to poor performance, increased costs, and security vulnerabilities. These mistakes can be avoided by researching the different AWS options and implementing best practices for networking, load balancing, databases, security, compliance, and more.

**1. Using the wrong AWS service:** This is when an organization uses a service that is not well-suited for their needs, leading to increased costs, poor performance, and other issues. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research different services and understand their use cases and costs before making a decision. A common best practice is to start with the most basic service that meets the organization's requirements and then scale up as needed.

**2. Not leveraging auto-scaling:** This is when an organization doesn't use the auto-scaling feature of AWS services, leading to manual scaling and increased costs. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should use the auto-scaling feature to automatically adjust the number of resources based on traffic and other requirements. A common best practice is to set up auto-scaling rules based on CloudWatch metrics.

**3. Not using reserved instances:** This is when an organization doesn't use reserved instances, leading to increased costs for on-demand instances. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should use reserved instances to save money on long-term usage. A common best practice is to purchase reserved instances for services that are expected to be used for more than a year.

**4. Not using CloudFormation or Terraform for infrastructure as code :** This is when an organization doesn't use infrastructure as code to manage their AWS resources, leading to manual configuration and increased errors. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should use CloudFormation or Terraform to manage their AWS resources. A common best practice is to use infrastructure as code to automate the provisioning and management of AWS resources.

**5. Not using the security best practices:** This is when an organization doesn't follow the security best practices of AWS, leaving the organization vulnerable to attacks. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should follow the security best practices of AWS, such as using security groups, IAM roles, and encryption. A common best practice is to regularly review and update security policies and settings.

**6. Not using the right storage class:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right storage class for their data, leading to increased costs and poor performance. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different storage classes and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use the storage class that offers the best balance of cost and performance.

**7. Not using the right data transfer options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right data transfer options, leading to increased costs and poor performance. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different data transfer options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use the data transfer option that offers the best balance of cost and performance.

**8. Not using the right data backup options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right data backup options, leading to data loss. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different data backup options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to create regular backups and store them in a secure location.

**9. Not using the right monitoring and logging:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right monitoring and logging options, leading to poor visibility into the health and performance of their AWS resources. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different monitoring and logging options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use monitoring and logging to identify and troubleshoot issues with AWS resources.

**10. Not using the right networking options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right networking options, leading to poor performance and increased costs. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different networking options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use VPCs and subnets to segment and secure network traffic.

**11. Not using the right load balancing options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right load balancing options, leading to poor performance and increased costs. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different load balancing options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use load balancers to distribute traffic across multiple resources.

**12. Not using the right database options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right database options, leading to poor performance and increased costs. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different database options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use databases that are optimized for the organization's specific use case.

**13. Not using the right caching options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right caching options, leading to poor performance and increased costs. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different caching options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use caching to improve the performance of frequently accessed data.

**14. Not using the right security options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right security options, leaving the organization vulnerable to attacks. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different security options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use security options to protect sensitive data and comply with regulations.

**15. Not using the right compliance options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right compliance options, leading to non-compliance with regulations. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different compliance options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use compliance options to meet regulatory requirements and protect sensitive data.

**16. Not using the right disaster recovery options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right disaster recovery options, leading to data loss in the event of a disaster. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different disaster recovery options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use disaster recovery options to protect data and minimize downtime.

**17. Not using the right DevOps practices:** This is when an organization doesn't use the right DevOps practices, leading to delays and increased costs. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different DevOps practices and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use DevOps practices to automate the software development and deployment process.

**18. Not using the right cost optimization options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right cost optimization options, leading to increased costs. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different cost optimization options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use cost optimization options to minimize costs and maximize savings.

**19. Not using the right tagging and organization options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right tagging and organization options, leading to poor visibility into the organization's AWS resources. To avoid this anti-pattern, organizations should research the different tagging and organization options and choose the one that best meets their needs. A common best practice is to use tagging and organization options to improve visibility and manageability of AWS resources.

**20. Not using the right performance optimization options:** This is when an organization doesn't choose the right performance optimization options, leading to poor performance and increased costs. To avoid this anti-pattern,