EC2 SQL Server Windows to Linux Migration

Title: EC2 SQL Server Windows to Linux Migration

Opportunity Name: EC2 SQL Server Windows to Linux Migration

AWS Resource Type: EC2 instance

Opportunity Description:
This Finder identifies opportunities to migrate Microsoft SQL Server workloads running on Windows EC2 instances to more cost-effective Linux-based alternatives. Since Windows licensing costs significantly increase total EC2 spend, migrating to Linux reduces both operating system and SQL Server licensing expenses.

By identifying SQL Server installations on Windows EC2 instances that are suitable for migration, CloudFix enables customers to lower costs while maintaining or improving performance and manageability.

Criteria for identifying the opportunity:

• The instance is a Windows EC2 instance running Microsoft SQL Server.
• The instance is not part of a managed environment (e.g., ECS, ASG, RDS).
• The SQL Server edition and version must have equivalent or better support on Linux (e.g., SQL Server 2017 and above are supported on Linux).
• CPU and memory utilization patterns suggest the workload is suitable for migration.
• The Finder excludes Spot instances and ephemeral test/dev workloads.

Potential Savings:
Customers can save on both:

• EC2 Windows licensing costs (up to ~30% reduction depending on region and instance type).
• SQL Server licensing costs — particularly by leveraging SQL Server on Linux with options like BYOL or using open-source alternatives where feasible.

What happens when the Fixer is executed?
This Finder does not include an automatic Fixer. Migration from Windows to Linux is a complex, customer-specific process that involves:

• Provisioning a new Linux-based EC2 instance.
• Installing and configuring SQL Server on Linux.
• Migrating databases and applications.
• Validating functionality and performance.
• Decommissioning the original Windows instance.

CloudFix provides guidance and support materials to help teams plan and execute this migration, but the implementation must be done manually or via engagement with Professional Services.

Is it possible to roll back once CloudFix implements the fixer?
Yes — rollback is possible but complex. It would require maintaining snapshots or AMIs of the original Windows environment to restore the system if needed. A dual-run migration strategy (running both Windows and Linux in parallel during transition) is recommended to minimize risk.

Can CloudFix implement the fix automatically once I accept the recommendation?
No. Due to the complexity and business-specific nature of the migration, the fix must be implemented manually.

Does this fix require downtime?
Yes — application and database migration typically require planned downtime or a controlled cutover process. Testing in a staging environment is strongly advised before full migration.

Additional Resources:

• Microsoft SQL Server on Linux Overview
• AWS EC2 Windows to Linux Migration Guide