Task Statement 4.3: Design cost-optimized database solutions

This study group will explore how to design cost-efficient database architectures in AWS by leveraging the right database engine, caching strategies, database scaling, backup and retention policies, and AWS cost management tools.

We will follow SecureCart, an e-commerce platform, as they optimize their database usage, reduce costs, and ensure high availability with minimal overhead.

---

📅 Study Group Agenda

Week	Topic	Key AWS Services
Week 1	AWS Database Services & Cost Optimization Tools	Amazon RDS, Amazon Aurora, DynamoDB, AWS Cost Explorer, AWS Budgets
Week 2	Database Sizing, Scaling & Capacity Planning	RDS Auto Scaling, DynamoDB On-Demand, Read Replicas, Aurora Serverless
Week 3	Caching Strategies for Cost Efficiency	Amazon ElastiCache (Redis, Memcached), DynamoDB DAX
Week 4	Backup, Retention & Disaster Recovery	RDS Snapshots, Point-in-Time Recovery, AWS Backup
Week 5	Cost-Optimized Database Migration Strategies	AWS DMS, Schema Conversion Tool (SCT), Heterogeneous & Homogeneous Migrations
Week 6	Hands-on Labs & Final Challenge	Implementing a Cost-Optimized AWS Database Solution

Final Study Group Summary

Week	Focus Area	Outcome
Week 1	AWS Database Services & Cost Optimization	Select Cost-Effective AWS Database Options
Week 2	Database Sizing & Scaling	Reduce Costs Using Auto Scaling & Read Replicas
Week 3	Caching Strategies	Minimize Database Costs with ElastiCache & DAX
Week 4	Backup & Retention Policies	Implement Cost-Effective Backup & Disaster Recovery
Week 5	Database Migration	Reduce Costs Using AWS DMS & Schema Conversion Tool
Week 6	Hands-on Scenarios	Deploy a Cost-Optimized AWS Database Solution

---

🚀 Next Steps

Would you like: ✅ Terraform automation scripts for AWS database cost optimization? ✅ Scenario-based quizzes for each study group session? ✅ Instructor-led deep-dive discussions?