Answer: Migrate the existing RDS for MySQL database to an Aurora Serverless v2 MySQL database cluster.

## Explanation **Correct Answer: A - Migrate the existing RDS for MySQL database to an Aurora Serverless v2 MySQL database cluster.** ### Why Option A is Correct: 1. **Aurora Serverless v2** is designed for intermittent workloads where the database can scale to zero when not in use. 2. The company only needs the database for **2 hours per week** - Aurora Serverless v2 can automatically pause when there's no activity and resume when needed. 3. With Aurora Serverless v2, you only pay for the compute capacity you consume on a per-second basis, making it highly cost-effective for sporadic usage patterns. 4. It automatically scales capacity up and down based on application demand, eliminating the need for manual capacity planning. ### Why Other Options Are Not Optimal: **Option B - Aurora MySQL database cluster:** - Aurora standard clusters run 24/7 with fixed capacity, incurring costs even during idle periods. - Not cost-effective for a workload that only runs 2 hours per week. **Option C - EC2 instance with MySQL and instance reservation:** - Instance reservations require upfront payment and commitment for 1-3 years. - The EC2 instance would still run 24/7 unless manually stopped/started, which adds operational overhead. - Even with reservations, you're paying for capacity you don't use most of the time. **Option D - ECS cluster with MySQL containers:** - ECS clusters require underlying EC2 instances or Fargate compute. - Similar to EC2, this would require running infrastructure 24/7 or complex scheduling. - Container orchestration adds complexity without addressing the core cost optimization need. ### Key AWS Cost Optimization Principles Applied: - **Right-sizing**: Aurora Serverless v2 automatically right-sizes compute capacity. - **Pay for what you use**: With Aurora Serverless v2, you only pay when the database is active. - **Automated scaling**: Eliminates the need for manual intervention to start/stop instances. For a database that's only needed 2 hours per week (approximately 104 hours per year), Aurora Serverless v2 provides the most cost-effective solution by eliminating idle compute costs.

Author: LeetQuiz Editorial Team