FlashGrid Cluster vs Oracle Database@AWS
Introduction
FlashGrid Cluster and the Oracle Database @ AWS service are two distinct solutions that enable AWS cloud customers to run Oracle Databases. Each has advantages in different use cases. The comparison table below helps AWS customers select the most appropriate one for their requirements.
Disclaimer
The Oracle Database @ AWS information is provided for reference only and may contain errors.
Comparison
FlashGrid Cluster
Oracle Database
@AWS
Key advantages
Optimal for mission-critical transaction processing with database uptime SLA of 99.99%, 99.999%, or higher.
Maximum uptime with Multi-AZ clustering.
Maximum data durability with all-flash storage and two levels of mirroring.
Agility (based on AWS EC2).
Proven and available in all AWS regions since 2017.
Optimal for extra-large (100+ TB) DWH workloads.
Exadata proprietary DWH features (Smart Scan, HCC)
Cheaper storage capacity with spinning HDD.
Solution type
Virtual clustered appliance hosted on native AWS EC2 instances and EBS storage volumes
Virtual clustered appliance hosted on dedicated Exadata infrastructure
Who manages VMs, OS, and databases?
Customer
Customer
Oracle RAC option
Yes
Yes
Oracle Failover HA option
Yes (available for single instance databases)
Yes (requires RAC One Node)
Oracle Enterprise Edition
Yes
Yes
Oracle Standard Edition (including SEHA)
Yes
No
Database node software updates
Controlled by customer.
(including DB, GI, OS, FlashGrid software)
Controlled by customer.
(including DB, GI, OS software)
Infrastructure software updates
AWS infrastructure software updates are managed by AWS and are fully transparent.
Exadata infrastructure software updates are managed by Oracle.
Exadata infrastructure software updates may require patching or upgrading GI and/or DB software. See footnote 1 in Oracle Release Schedule of Current Database Releases (Doc ID 742060.1)
Failed hardware replacement
AWS automatically moves affected VMs to new physical hosts.
AWS automatically and transparently handles replacement of failed disk storage hardware.
Storage server, HDD, and SSD hardware is exposed to the customer. Customer may need to take certain actions when the hardware fails and needs to be replaced.
Data center fault tolerance
Multi-AZ clustering protects against data center failures.
No Multi-AZ clustering. Databases exposed to data center failures. Must rely on data replication to a different AZ or region.
Some functionality (control plane, backups, DR replication, etc.) depends on OCI parent region availability.
Storage reliability and durability
All-flash storage with AWS EBS volumes.
Additional 2-way or 3-way mirroring across availability zones.
Durability:
- >99.9996% with 2-way mirroring
- >99.9999992% with 3-way mirroring
Spinning disks have lower durability than all-flash storage. No durability specifications available.
3-way mirroring within a single server rack.
Storage capacity and cost
Flexible capacity from 1 to 1000+ TB usable.
Higher cost per TB due to the exclusive use of flash storage for consistent performance and two levels (EBS and Oracle ASM) of mirroring.
Minimum of 190 TB usable (assumes Quarter-rack Exadata).
Lower cost per TB due to using spinning HDD.
Lower cost per TB when using HCC (for DWH only).
Agility
Instant on-demand deployment, usage, and resizing.
Based on native AWS EC2 instances and EBS storage volumes.
Must reserve Exadata hardware resources – database servers and storage servers.
Maturity
In production use since 2017
Generally available since July 2025
Available in AWS Regions
All (including Gov Cloud, China)
Only us-east-1 and us-west-2 as of 2025-09-17
Legacy database versions 11.2, 12.1, 12.2
Available
Cloud infra expertise required for maintenance.
AWS expertise only
Oracle Cloud expertise in addition to AWS expertise
Oracle licensing
BYOL
BYOL or PAYG
Conclusions
AWS customers who require true cloud agility and/or maximum uptime SLA for mission-critical Oracle Database transaction processing are best served by FlashGrid Cluster because:
- It supports multi-AZ configuration and utilizes highly durable AWS EBS storage.
- It is built from native AWS EC2 instances and EBS storage volumes available in all AWS regions.
- It is a mature solution that has been running production Oracle workloads on AWS since 2017.
Customers who have large data warehouse databases exceeding 100 TB and the required Oracle Cloud expertise in-house may benefit from Oracle Database@AWS once it is available in the target region(s).
Learn more
For more information, please contact FlashGrid at info@flashgrid.io