Executive Summary
This case study explores how Ancrew Global successfully re-architected and migrated infrastructure for a leading ecommerce platform, transforming their availability from 80% to 99.95% while addressing critical performance bottlenecks. The comprehensive solution leveraged Amazon EC2 for Windows Server, Amazon RDS, AWS Managed Microsoft AD, and multiple AWS services to create a highly available, scalable infrastructure.
About the Client
Our client is a leading ecommerce platform headquartered in London, specializing in advanced data analytics and AI-driven solutions for online commerce. The platform features sophisticated intelligence engines that produce actionable insights at scale, delivering them ahead of market trends using analyst-curated AI technology.
Portfolio managers, research analysts, and corporate teams rely on this platform to expand the scale and scope of their research, focusing only on high-value analysis to stay prepared and act ahead of market movements.
The Challenge
As a bootstrap startup in its initial phase, the client had created standalone servers for their application and database infrastructure. However, as they began onboarding users to their environment over the past couple of months, several critical issues emerged:
Performance and Availability Issues
- Bottleneck and Downtime: Standalone server architecture created performance bottlenecks
- Low Availability: Application server availability was only ~85%, while database server availability dropped to ~80%
- High Latency: End-users in London reported significant latency issues
- Infrastructure Costs: Higher costs due to vertical scaling requirements
Technical Challenges
- Standalone server setup limiting scalability
- Need to migrate from local Microsoft Active Directory to managed solution
- Requirement to increase availability from 80% to >99%
- Database performance and management limitations
The AWS Solution
Ancrew Global designed and implemented a comprehensive migration and re-architecture strategy using AWS services:
Application Infrastructure Migration
EC2 Windows Server Implementation:
- Migrated CRM application from public standalone configuration to private setup
- Deployed on Amazon EC2 Windows Server 2019 instance (c5.xlarge with 4vCPU and 8 GB RAM)
- Transitioned to more robust, scalable architecture design
Database Migration and Enhancement
Amazon RDS Implementation:
- Migrated Microsoft SQL Server from EC2 (m5.large with 2 vCPUs, 8 GB RAM) to Amazon RDS for SQL Server
- Maintained same specifications (m5.large with 2 vCPUs, 8 GB RAM) with enhanced capabilities
- Utilized AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for seamless migration
- Implemented Multi-AZ deployment for high availability
- Added automated backups and streamlined management capabilities
- Implemented read replicas to distribute read traffic and reduce latency for London-based users
Directory Services Migration
- Successfully migrated Microsoft Active Directory to AWS Managed Microsoft AD
- Streamlined authentication processes with centralized directory for user management
- Enhanced security and administrative efficiency
High Availability and Load Distribution
Load Balancing and Auto Scaling:
- Implemented Amazon Elastic Load Balancer (ELB) to distribute incoming traffic across multiple EC2 instances
- Introduces Auto Scaling groups for dynamic instance adjustment based on traffic load
- Ensured high availability and improved application performance
- Optimized costs by scaling down during low-demand periods
Storage and Monitoring Solutions
Data Management:
- Leveraged Amazon S3 for application data storage with defined retention periods
- Ensured efficient data management and compliance with data retention policies
Monitoring and Alerting:
- Implemented Amazon CloudWatch for proactive monitoring of application performance and resource utilization
- Configured custom alarms and notifications for swift response to anomalies or incidents
- Enabled timely issue resolution and optimal system performance
Architecture Overview
The implemented architecture features a robust, multi-availability zone design:
- Multi-AZ Deployment: Two availability zones each containing RDS SQL Server and application servers within private subnets
- Database Layer: Amazon RDS for SQL Server in Multi-AZ configuration ensuring high availability and data redundancy
- Network Security: Public subnet housing bastion host and NAT Gateway for controlled access to private resources
- Load Distribution: Application servers connected to Application Load Balancer and Auto Scaling Group
- Connectivity: Internet Gateway facilitating seamless user connectivity to the web application
Results and Benefits
The migration and re-architecture delivered exceptional results:
Availability Transformation
- Application Server: Successfully achieved 99.95% availability from previous ~85%
- Database Performance: Dramatically improved from 80% to 99.95% availability through Amazon RDS Multi-AZ deployment
- Scalability Enhancement: Enabled automatic scaling capabilities with multiple availability zone deployment
Database Improvements
- Migration Success: Seamlessly migrated Microsoft SQL Server to Amazon RDS with zero data loss
- Enhanced Capabilities: Improved scalability, automated backups, and streamlined management
- Performance Optimization: Reduced latency through read replicas and optimized configuration
Infrastructure Management
- Directory Services: Successfully migrated to AWS Managed Active Directory, enhancing efficiency and simplifying management
- Cost Optimization: Dynamic scaling capabilities reducing infrastructure costs during low-demand periods
- Operational Excellence: Proactive monitoring and automated response capabilities
Key Success Factors
This transformation demonstrates several critical success elements:
- Strategic Migration Approach: Careful planning using AWS DMS ensured data integrity and minimized downtime
- Multi-AZ Architecture: High availability design eliminating single points of failure
- Auto Scaling Implementation: Dynamic resource allocation optimizing both performance and costs
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Proactive alerting and incident response capabilities
- Security Enhancement: Improved authentication and access control through AWS Managed AD
Conclusion
The successful migration and re-architecture of this leading ecommerce platform's infrastructure showcases how strategic AWS implementation can transform business-critical systems. Through CloudThat's expertise, the client achieved a dramatic improvement from 80% to 99.95% availability while addressing performance bottlenecks and reducing operational complexity.
This case study highlights the importance of choosing experienced AWS partners who understand the unique challenges faced by growing ecommerce platforms. The comprehensive solution not only resolved immediate technical challenges but also established a scalable foundation for future growth, enabling the platform to serve its London-based users with optimal performance and reliability.
The implementation demonstrates how Amazon EC2 for Windows Server, combined with Amazon RDS, AWS Managed Active Directory, and comprehensive monitoring solutions, can deliver enterprise-grade infrastructure capable of supporting demanding ecommerce operations at scale.