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How to Reduce Data Transfer Costs in AWS

There are several methods users can utilize to reduce data transfer costs. These methods include limiting transfers in one AWS region, using Amazon CloudFront, and using cost allocation tags. Keeping data transfers in one AWS region avoids multiple charges. While Amazon CloudFront moves data at maximum speed, it has low latency, making it a more cost-efficient method. Finally, cost allocation tags help in tracking high usage fees. You can optimize these to cost less.

Does AWS Charge A Data Transfer Cost?

Costs in AWS vary with location, usage, and other factors. AWS charges in dollars per gigabyte. The prices apply for both AWS ingress charges and AWS egress charges.

Data Transfers in One AWS Zone

Different zones have different pricing models. Prices also vary with seasons. You can leverage a few principles to reduce AWS costs by region. For instance, transfers from the web to popular cloud services are free. You can also identify low-cost regions and limit transfers within those regions.

Can Amazon CloudFront Reduce Costs?

Given a low latency and high transfer speed, CloudFront caches data. This reduces traffic load on your cloud. A combination of low latency and high transfer speeds optimizes data transfer, which reduces data transfer costs.

Can Cost Allocation Tags Reduce Costs?

A cost allocation tag “feeds” AWS with processes that cause monthly bills to skyrocket. Users view data transfers and apps that incur high usage costs using cost allocation tags. The Cost Explorer also lists EC2 transfer fees. Users can then pay attention to reducing costs with high fees. Reducing costs is all about identifying high expenses and cutting them off using AWS tools.

AWS Tools Can Reduce Costs

Internal AWS tools, such as cost calculators, can help users control cloud costs. If you know the size of the data you want to transfer, use the total cost of ownership calculator to estimate data transfer charges. Repeat the process with other Amazon regions and choose a region with the least transfer costs. You can also adjust the size of the data to reduce costs.

Third-Party Services Can Reduce Costs

Third-party providers have tools to give deeper visibility into your AWS cost centers. nOps is one of those tools that can detect resources with high costs of data transfer. You can view this information on a reporting dashboard and make informed decisions on managing the resources. nOps has other cost-reducing features:

  • It identifies and helps you eliminate underutilized AWS resources. This will reduce load and latency hence improving transfer speeds.
  • It tracks data transfer costs and filters them by project, users, business units, and more. A comparison of these costs can help identify areas for optimization.
  • It gives real-time notifications if a data transfer cost exceeds a certain threshold. Live visibility is key when managing data transfer costs.

AWS users can also manage their resources and cloud assets using nOps. This includes everything from Spot Instances, EBS volumes, and other resources. Saving costs on other nonproductive areas allows companies to channel their time and money into productive areas. 

Learn more about how nOps helps develop its cost optimization strategy.