Two surprising tales of platform risk in a software business - from almost losing database access to dealing with a full-text index issue. Learn about the importance of safety precautions and backup strategies in critical system functionalities.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Prompt response and communication with platform support are vital in mitigating risks during unexpected platform issues.
Establishing backup systems for critical data on alternate platforms and local storage reduces dependency on a single platform, ensuring data security.
Deep dives
Encountering Platform Risk: Unauthorized Access Alert from AWS
During the podcast, Avidkar shared his experience of facing platform risks in his software business, specifically related to an email from Amazon Web Services (AWS) warning about unauthorized access to his account. The email potential put his entire business at risk since he runs his database on AWS using their managed database service, RDS. Despite the alarm, Avidkar responded promptly, avoided panic, and engaged with AWS customer support to investigate the issue. Through diligent communication and providing necessary information, the restrictions were eventually lifted, highlighting the importance of swift action and communication during such platform risks.
Addressing Platform Risk: Implementing Backup Systems for Data Protection
The podcast episode also delves into the necessity of establishing backup systems to safeguard critical data in the face of platform risks. Avidkar highlighted the significance of backing up sizable data, like the entire database, to alternate accounts and local storage to mitigate dependency on a single platform. By acknowledging the vulnerability of his data to potential account restrictions by AWS, Avidkar emphasized the importance of having external backup mechanisms in place, creating a more secure foundation for his business operations.
Furthermore, the podcast discussed Avidkar's encounter with a malfunctioning server, specifically affecting his search engine's performance, leading to significant downtime and search disruptions for his API and UI. To address this issue, Avidkar shared his process of seeking solutions by exploring community forums and ultimately opting for a 'great reset' method to restore system functionality. This instance highlighted the importance of finding creative solutions and proactive measures to maintain operational efficiency amidst platform dependencies and technical challenges.
1.
Two Instances of Platform Risk in a Software Business
This week, I almost lost access to my database, including all its backups. Also, a full-text index brought down my product. Neither were intended —obviously—, but both made me revisit my safety precautions and how I approach depending on platforms like AWS. Here's what happened, how I got out of there, and what there is to prevent this in the future.