DynamoDB Idle Table Cleanup – CloudFix Support

Opportunity Name:

DynamoDB Idle Table Cleanup

AWS Resource Type:

Amazon DynamoDB

Opportunity Description:

CloudFix identifies idle DynamoDB tables that are incurring costs but have not been used recently, allowing customers to eliminate unnecessary storage and compute expenses.

This Finder analyzes AWS Cost and Usage Report (CUR) data, CloudWatch metrics, and DynamoDB API data to detect tables that haven’t processed read or write operations within a configurable lookback period (default: 30 days).

Key Benefits:

• Reduce DynamoDB costs by deleting unused tables.
• Automated identification of tables with no recent activity.
• Customizable lookback periods (7, 30, or 60 days) for flexible analysis.

Criteria for Identifying the Opportunity:

CloudFix identifies DynamoDB tables that can be safely deleted based on the following criteria:

1. Table Exists: The DynamoDB table is still active (verified via DescribeTable API).
2. Minimum Age Requirement: The table must be at least 30 days old.
3. No Recent Activity:
   • The table has not performed any read or write operations for the entire lookback period (default: 30 days).
   • CloudWatch metrics (ConsumedReadCapacityUnits, ConsumedWriteCapacityUnits) confirm zero activity.
4. Annualized Cost ≥ $100:
   • If the table incurs an annualized cost of $100 or more, it is considered a cost-saving opportunity.
5. Table Is Not Tagged “Do Not Fix”:
   • If the table has a tag marking it as essential, CloudFix will exclude it from deletion.

Potential Savings:

Since deleting an idle table eliminates its cost entirely, the estimated savings are 100% of the table’s annualized cost.

For example, if a DynamoDB table incurs $1,000 per year, deleting it saves the full $1,000.

What Happens When the Fixer Is Executed?

When CloudFix executes the fix, the following actions occur:

1. Delete the Table using the AWS DeleteTable API.
2. Verify Deletion using the DescribeTable API.
3. Update the Status to reflect the table’s removal.

Is It Possible to Roll Back Once CloudFix Implements the Fixer?

No, table deletion is irreversible. However:

• If Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR) or a manual backup exists, the table can be restored.
• Users may wish to enable automated backups before accepting the recommendation.

Can CloudFix Implement the Fix Automatically Once I Accept the Recommendation?

Yes. CloudFix will automatically delete the table once the user accepts the recommendation.

Does This Fix Require Downtime?

Yes. Deleting the table removes all stored data and cannot be undone unless backups exist.

Recommendation Report

CloudFix generates a detailed recommendation report containing:

1. Table Information:

   • Table Name
   • Region
   • Account ID
   • Creation Date
   • Current Status

2. Cost & Savings Data:

   • Annualized On-Demand Cost
   • Projected Savings ($ & %)
   • Break-even Analysis (if applicable)

3. Activity Summary:

   • Last Read/Write Operation Timestamp
   • Average Daily Read/Write Capacity Usage

4. Visualizations:

   • Historical activity over 7, 30, and 60 days
   • Projected savings over 1 year

Finder Configuration Parameters:

Parameter	Default	Description
Lookback Period	30 days	Defines the number of days to check for table activity. Options: 7, 30, 60 days.
Max Units	0	Maximum daily read/write capacity allowed before the table is considered active.
Annual Cost Threshold	$100	Minimum annual spend required to qualify for deletion.

Additional Resources:

• AWS DynamoDB Pricing
• AWS DynamoDB DeleteTable API