This week in DevOps we have new HDD options for FSx for Windows File Server on AWS, Azure has begun limiting new requests in regions hit hard by COVD-19 induced demand and HashiCorp introduces a new command to the Terraform CLI. Read on to learn more….
AWS
AWS::FSx – New low cost HDD option on Fsx for Windows File Server
This update rolls out a less expensive but slower HDD (Hard Disk Drive) option for FSx for Windows File Server. Previously the more expensive SSD (Solid State Drive) option was the only one available.
Amazon claims that when combined with capacity reservations this makes FSx the most price effective storage option for Windows File Server in the cloud. There is also an option for data deduplication which can bring the price down further for redundant workloads.
The new HDD option is available in all regions where FSx for Windows File Server is available.
GoogleCloud
GoogleCloud::BigQuery – New partnership with Safe Software, makers of FME
GoogleCloud has announced a partnership with Safe Software to make geospatial data easier to load into BigQuery GIS via FME. This tutorial covers the specifics of loading data into BigQuery GIS using FME. The announcement was otherwise quite light on details.
Azure
Azure::General – High global demand requires prioritization
Last week Azure announced that they would be prioritizing resource requests in some regions due to demand outstripping supply. Azure users in Europe in particular reported difficulty powering on stopped VMs and other resources.
In a second release this week Azure has disclosed that demand is up by as much as 775% in some areas and they are actively prioritizing requests for Health and Medical related applications as well as First Responders and their accompanying infrastructure. Affected users are advised to consider migrating to regions with less demand and waiting on non-essential resource requests until the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
Azure::ContainerRegistry – Private Link Support Preview
Azure Container Registry now supports private links for virtual networks. This means that the registry can now be used entirely within your own virtual network without traversing the public internet.
With this model each registry is assigned private IPs within your virtual network however it is not yet possible to disable the public endpoint for the registry entirely. It is likely that the ability to make registries truly private will be provided with a general availability release in the future.
Azure::ManagedDisks – Announcing general availability of Incremental Snapshots for Managed Disks
Azure managed disks now support incremental snapshots. This allows faster and more efficient replication across regions and less space intensive backups for disaster recovery or similar purposes.
Incremental snapshots are billed per GB of changes since the last snapshot, similar to other cloud storage models. Pricing information is available on the Managed Disks pricing page for Azure. Since this is a general availability announcement, incremental snapshots are now available in all regions.
HashiCorp
HashiCorp::Terraform – Terrform Login command added to the CLI
HashiCorp has added Login and Logout commands to the Terraform CLI in a short announcement made this week. The commands are available starting in version 0.12.21 and are designed to enhance connectivity to Terraform Cloud for CLI based users.
While this was a short announcement it’s implications are significant as it is likely to influence new users to utilize the Terraform Cloud backend for remote state rather than using S3 or another storage option. This isn’t necessarily bad but it does mean more lockin by default for users while providing some convenience and usability benefits.
HashiCorp::Nomad – 0.11 Beta Released
The main updates in this release include a Container Storage Interface for persistent storage on third party solutions and autoscaling. Autoscaling received a separate post to cover some of the features.
In addition to the above this release rolls out Dependencies for running workloads in sequence and remote exec capabilities from the Nomad UI. Enterprise Tier Nomad users will also have access to Audit Logging in this release.
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