"Well Architected!" - AWS framework that allows for efficient and safe environment design in the cloud
A well-designed architecture requires good security during and after its construction. The Well-Architected framework prepared by AWS comes up against the requirements that appear during the implementation of such projects.
It is a set of Best Practices, a collection of principles and strategies for designing architecture in the AWS cloud. The framework also contains a number of tips on how to evaluate the proposed solutions.
One of the most important points of the design process is the fulfilment of the safety principle. It is worth remembering to secure all layers of infrastructure, which ensures that no unauthorized entity/person will have access to your resources. Another key aspect is the automation of processes. Thanks to the implementation of solutions such as AWS Landing Zone, about which we wrote earlier on the blog, you can gain a high level of security right from the moment of launching the AWS CloudFormation template. Automation is also important from the point of resource monitoring. It is worth implementing the AWS Best Practices, whose regular verification allows you to identify areas that need improvement.
When using the Well-Architected Framework, remember to divide responsibility in teams. The issue primarily refers to the work culture that Amazon Web Services is trying to implement. In addition to the attempts to comply with the implemented methods and Well-Architected Framework, the mechanisms of action already developed are important. Quoting Jeff Bezos “Good intentions never work, mechanisms are needed for” something “to happen.”
Well-Architected Pillars
When working on the creation of a well-designed infrastructure, one should remember about its pillars:
- operational – in this passage, let us remember about the ability to run and monitor systems and continuously improve the support of processes and procedures
- security – we pay attention to the effectiveness of the protection of information, systems and resources
- reliability – we care for the system to be able to recover resources after disruptions in infrastructure or services
- operational efficiency – the goal is to properly use AWS cloud resources
- cost optimization – let’s avoid unnecessary costs
It is becoming a priority to understand and control spending and to choose the optimal number and type of resources.
Why it is worth it?
The Well-Architected framework has been designed to help cloud architects build safe and efficient infrastructure. Thanks to the perfectly developed methodology, the implementation and testing of new solutions is much faster. Testing large-scale systems and using automation makes it easier to experiment with planned solutions. Using the principles related to the framework, it is easier to locate areas covered by risk and verify / repair a given fragment of architecture before it goes to production. The use of Well-Architected principles in making architectural decisions that affect the performance of the entire environment plays a significant role in the whole design process.
The real result of Well-Architected applications may be better business results and excellent accessibility of designed applications. By deciding to implement AWS cloud solutions, we can use Best Practices, training and view solutions implemented by AWS partners. To this end, the platform This is My Architecture contains video cases describing various possibilities of using the framework.
Well-Architected Best Practices
And finally a useful tool kit. In order to better apply the framework, it is worth using AWS Best Practices. Best practices are the basis for implementing solutions based on the AWS cloud. Below are the most important documents that will allow compliance with them and correctly carry out the process of designing and implementing the environment.
- AWS Well-Architeted Framework
- Well-Architected Pillars:
- Serverless Application Lens
- High-Performance Computing Lens
The last two items refer successively to non-server scenarios and high-performance scenarios (HPCs). With their use, we are sure that the designed loads are compatible with the Well-Architected framework.
Implementation of the Well-Architected framework allows you to view an existing or newly designed architecture. It also provides a set of AWS Best Practices for each of the previously mentioned pillars. Using the solution allows you to create a stable and efficient system that will allow you to focus on functional requirements and better business results.
Practical application and infrastructure diagrams are available in the tab case studies.
