Hands-on Guide: How to troubleshoot and optimize AWS NAT Gateway to reduce cost
Blog post from Stream.Security
AWS NAT Gateway is a Network Address Translation service that facilitates internet connectivity for instances within a private subnet of an Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), while restricting inbound traffic. Its common uses include providing internet access to private instances, translating source IP addresses, load balancing, and enhancing security and compliance. The cost of using AWS NAT Gateway can be significant, as it involves hourly charges, data processing fees, and data transfer costs, which vary by region. To manage these expenses, it is important to monitor and control data transfer, utilize appropriate instance types, and optimize VPC architecture. Techniques such as using CloudFront for content delivery, employing Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration, and setting up interface or gateway endpoints can further mitigate costs. Additionally, tools like AWS Cost Explorer and Stream.Security can offer insights into cloud spending and network traffic, enabling users to take proactive measures to minimize charges associated with NAT Gateways.