Oracle on AWS: What Breaks (and How to Fix It)

The Promise vs Reality
On paper, moving Oracle to AWS looks straightforward. In reality, the issues don’t show up until you’re in production.
What Breaks First
Storage latency assumptions (EBS ≠ SAN)
Backup strategy gaps (RMAN + S3 confusion)
Network throughput bottlenecks
Licensing misunderstandings
Monitoring blind spots vs on-prem OEM
Real-World Fixes
1. Storage Matters More Than You Think
Use io1/io2 with proper IOPS sizing. Don’t “figure it out later.”
2. RDS vs EC2 is a Strategic Choice
RDS = easier ops, less control
EC2 = full control, more responsibility
Pick based on operational maturity, not convenience.
3. Rethink Monitoring
CloudWatch is not OEM. You need both perspectives.
4. Network is the Silent Killer
Throughput limits will impact performance before CPU does.
Lessons Learned
Most AWS Oracle problems aren’t Oracle problems—they’re architecture problems.
Takeaway
If you lift-and-shift without redesign, you’re just moving risk—not removing it.


