AWS

Amazon EC2 C8gn instances powered by Graviton4 processors are now available in the Europe (Paris) region. These instances deliver up to 30% better compute performance than the previous C7gn generation and utilize 6th generation Nitro Cards. They support up to 600 Gbps network bandwidth, making them suitable for network-intensive workloads like AI inference and data analytics.

• Graviton4 chips in C8gn offer 30% compute uplift over C7gn for better efficiency.
• 6th gen Nitro Cards enable 600 Gbps bandwidth, the highest among network-optimized instances.
• Ideal for network-heavy tasks including AI/ML inference and network virtual appliances.
• Expansion to Paris region allows EU-based teams to leverage these new capabilities locally.

AWS Glue 5.1 is now available in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud Region, upgrading core engines to Apache Spark 3.5.6, Python 3.11, and Scala 2.12.18. The release enhances open table format support, including Apache Hudi 1.0.2, Iceberg 1.10.0, and Delta Lake 3.3.2. Notably, it introduces Iceberg format version 3.0, adding features like default column values, deletion vectors, and row lineage tracking.

• Glue 5.1 is now live in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud Region for compliant workloads.
• Core engines updated to Spark 3.5.6, Python 3.11, and Scala 2.12.18.
• Open table formats updated: Hudi 1.0.2, Iceberg 1.10.0, Delta Lake 3.3.2.
• Iceberg 3.0 support adds deletion vectors, default column values, and row lineage.
• Lake Formation fine-grained access control extended to write operations.

AWS has expanded Capacity Reservation Resource Groups to include Amazon EC2 Capacity Blocks for ML and interruptible Capacity Reservations, in addition to the previously supported On-Demand Capacity Reservations. This enhancement allows practitioners to target multiple reservation types within a single group when launching instances via EC2 Fleet or Auto Scaling. The change simplifies capacity management across diverse reservation portfolios by enabling unified targeting strategies.

• CR Resource Groups now accept ML Capacity Blocks and interruptible reservations, not just ODCRs.
• Unified targeting allows launching instances across mixed reservation types in a single request.
• Simplifies capacity planning for workloads requiring specific ML hardware or flexible pricing models.
• Compatible with EC2 Fleet and Auto Scaling groups for automated capacity provisioning.

A PostgreSQL standby experienced unexpected replication lag that escalated to AWS Support for investigation. The root cause was identified as the hidden single-flow bandwidth limit inherent to the EC2 instance type. This bottleneck constrained throughput on the single network connection used for storage traffic, despite adequate aggregate bandwidth availability.

• Single-flow bandwidth limits on EC2 can throttle FSx traffic, causing replication lag.
• Aggregate bandwidth metrics may mask underlying single-connection bottlenecks.
• Verify EC2 instance network performance specs when troubleshooting storage latency.
• Consider multi-path or enhanced networking configurations to bypass single-flow limits.

Fleet impact: For DBAs managing PostgreSQL on AWS FSx, check your EC2 instance's single-flow TCP bandwidth limits if replication lag spikes without storage saturation. If the instance type has low single-flow caps, consider upgrading to an instance with higher per-flow limits or using multiple mount targets to distribute traffic across separate flows.

AWS Backup now allows cross-Region backup copying and logically air-gapped vault storage for Amazon DocumentDB in nine additional regions across Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Israel. Users can configure backup plans or on-demand jobs to move DocumentDB backups into and out of these new locations. The air-gapped vaults provide immutable, isolated storage with default locking and encryption options to support strict compliance and disaster recovery needs.

• Cross-Region copy for DocumentDB is now available in nine new AWS regions.
• Logically air-gapped vaults offer immutable, isolated backup storage in these regions.
• Supports disaster recovery, business continuity, and compliance requirements.
• Backups can be shared for recovery using AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM).

Mountpoint for Amazon S3 now supports explicit memory limits, allowing operators to cap usage either via a defined target or automatic environment detection. This feature addresses previous issues where memory consumption could expand over time, potentially destabilizing co-located memory-intensive workloads like ML training. By reserving memory for companion applications, the update ensures stable performance in shared environments such as Amazon EKS.

• Define explicit memory targets for Mountpoint to prevent resource contention.
• Enable automatic memory detection for safe defaults in dynamic environments like EKS.
• Mitigate stability risks when running S3 mounts alongside heavy analytics or ML workloads.
• Prevent unbounded memory growth that previously degraded performance over time.