Amazon Web Services Restored After Global Outage Discover What Went Wrong
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has successfully resolved a significant global outage that occurred earlier this week. The disruption impacted numerous online services, including HMRC, Halifax, and Lloyds, affecting users worldwide. Individuals faced challenges accessing vital platforms used for work, social media, and gaming during the outage.
AWS Overview
As the leading cloud computing provider globally, AWS offers a diverse range of services. These services encompass storage, databases, machine learning, and security tools. AWS supports various sectors, including government agencies, universities, and businesses, by providing essential cloud computing infrastructure.
What Caused the Outage?
The outage was primarily centered in AWS’s Virginia data center, known as the US-EAST-1 region. This area is crucial in AWS’s global infrastructure. The source of the problem was traced to the DynamoDB endpoint in the same region, a centralized database service widely utilized across various internet-based applications.
Understanding DynamoDB and DNS Errors
- DynamoDB is used for tracking user data and managing operations in many online services.
- The issue was not with the database itself, but rather with the records instructing systems where to find the data.
Experts indicated that a Domain Name System (DNS) error occurred, which acts like a “phone book for the internet.” This error led to significant slowdowns, causing systems to either delay in locating services or cease attempts altogether.
Impact of the Outage
According to Downdetector, which monitors online service outages, there was a surge in reports on the day of the incident. Thousands of users experienced difficulties with:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- Snapchat
- Starbucks
- Slack
- Ring
- UK banks including Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland.
At its peak, Downdetector recorded 6,925 outage reports related to Lloyds by 9:31 AM, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. Gaming platforms like Roblox and Fortnite also faced disruptions. Although VodafoneThree reported normal network operations, some of its apps and websites were impacted by the outage.
Historical Context of AWS Outages
This recent incident is not the first instance of AWS causing extensive service interruptions. Previous outages, including a notable one in 2021, affected various sectors for over five hours. Similar disruptions occurred in 2020 and 2017.
Additionally, in 2024, a software update error from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike led to massive disruptions unrelated to AWS.
The resilience of cloud service infrastructure remains crucial in today’s interconnected world, and incidents like these highlight the potential vulnerabilities in cloud computing ecosystems.
