AWS Wavelength Cheat Sheet

• AWS Wavelength enables developers to build applications that require edge computing infrastructure to deliver ultra-low latency to mobile devices and end users.
• It deploys standard AWS compute and storage services to the edge of communications service providers’ (CSP) networks (typically 5G networks).
• Wavelength Zones can be used to extend an Amazon VPC in order to run ultra-low latency applications that use the same AWS services, APIs, tools, and functionalities.

Features

• • Supports standard AWS compute instances, including General Purpose, Memory Optimized, and GPU-accelerated types for diverse edge workloads.
  • Provides persistent block storage via Amazon EBS gp2 volumes with snapshot and restore capabilities to parent Regions.
  • Extend your existing VPC to Wavelength Zones via Carrier Gateways for direct, low-latency connectivity to 5G networks.
  • Enables the orchestration of containerized applications using familiar services such as Amazon EKS and Amazon ECS.
  • Integrates seamlessly with standard AWS management tools, including CloudFormation, CloudWatch, and Auto Scaling.

• Use cases:

• • Real-time game streaming and rendering high-fidelity Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) content directly to mobile devices with minimal lag.
  • Processing telemetry data from vehicles in near-real-time to support Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving safety.
  • Running AI/ML video analytics at the edge to detect manufacturing defects or safety hazards instantly on the factory floor.
  • Real-time medical image analysis and remote diagnostics, where latency is critical for doctor-patient interaction.

AWS Wavelength Concepts

• Wavelength is the AWS infrastructure used to run workloads that require ultra-low latencies over mobile networks.

• Wavelength Zone (WZ) 

• • A logical extension of the Region. It is where the Wavelength infrastructure is deployed and is managed by the Region’s control plane.
  • Use WZs for application components that require ultra-low latency, enhanced bandwidth, or improved service quality across 5G mobile networks.
  • To give the most scalable, robust, and cost-effective alternatives for components, AWS recommends that you design the edge applications in a hub and spoke model with the Region.
  • For latency-sensitive applications, you need to have multiple WZs.
  • To discover the closest WZ endpoint, you must register the EC2 instance with a discovery service such as AWS Cloud Map.
  • For data and app replication, AWS recommends you use an AZ in a different Region as a failover zone.
  • Apps running on 4G/LTE mobile phones and devices connected to 4G/LTE networks can also connect to Wavelength Zones’ application servers.
  • Note: Wavelength Zones are not available in all AWS Regions. They are strictly tied to specific geographic locations and telecommunication carrier partnerships.

• An application that you run on an AWS resource in a WZ is called Wavelength Application.

• Carrier Gateway

• • Provides connectivity between WZ and telecommunication carrier.
  • Enables inbound traffic from a carrier network in a specific location, as well as outbound traffic to the carrier network and the internet. 
  • Supports IPv4 traffic.
  • Only available for VPCs with WZ subnets.
  • To assign a network interface, use a carrier IP address from the network border group.
  • Performs NAT (Network Address Translation) to translate the private IP of your Wavelength instance to a Carrier IP address.

• You can create AWS compute, storage services, and carrier gateways in WZs.

• You’ll also need VPC, Subnet, and Network Border Group to be able to leverage the 5G edge computing infrastructure of AWS Wavelength.

• To manage your resources and WZs, you can use the following interfaces:

• • AWS Management Console
  • AWS CLI
  • AWS SDKs

AWS Wavelength Pricing

• Prices for AWS resources (EC2 instances, EBS volumes) in Wavelength Zones are different from those in the parent Region.
• On-Demand: Instances in Wavelength Zones are primarily available on demand. 
• Savings Plans: You can reduce costs using Compute Savings Plans and EC2 Instance Savings Plans, which apply to Wavelength usage just as they do in the parent Region.

Amazon Wavelength Cheat Sheet References:

https://aws.amazon.com/wavelength/
https://docs.aws.amazon.com/wavelength/latest/developerguide/what-is-wavelength.html