From Intel to Graviton: How Superstream Enables Safe, Seamless AWS MSK Migrations

Migrating from Intel-based instances to AWS Graviton is one of the most effective ways to reduce infrastructure costs and improve Kafka performance. But for teams running Amazon MSK (Managed Streaming for Apache Kafka), the process can feel risky and complex.

Superstream simplifies AWS MSK migrations by automating the process—delivering seamless, low-risk transitions while unlocking meaningful AWS MSK cost optimization and performance improvements.

Why Graviton Matters for MSK Customers

AWS Graviton processors, built on ARM architecture, offer substantial advantages over x86-based Intel instances for Kafka workloads:

• Up to 24% price/ performance improvement.
• Up to 29% higher write and read throughput.
• Up to 27% reduction in CPU usage over comparable MSK clusters running on M5 instances.

But many MSK users never realize these benefits due to migration complexity, limited bandwidth, or fear of service disruption.

Why Choose Superstream: Both Performance and AWS MSK Cost Optimization

Migrating from Intel to Graviton isn’t just a hardware switch—it’s a strategic opportunity for AWS MSK cost optimization and improved Kafka performance. Superstream enables organizations to reduce their AWS MSK bill significantly while increasing throughput, lowering latency, and improving reliability.

By leveraging its autoscaler and configuration engine, Superstream helps you:

• Right-size your MSK brokers to eliminate waste and overprovisioning.
• Auto-tune Kafka compression and batch settings per workload, minimizing data transfer and compute usage.
• Continuously optimize Kafka resource allocation to maintain long-term stability and efficiency.
  

These automated capabilities form the foundation of modern AWS MSK cost optimization techniques, helping teams achieve real savings and boost AWS MSK performance—without the need for manual tuning.

Superstream: A Safer, Easier, Automated Graviton Migration

Superstream isn’t just for day-to-day tuning—it also enables seamless, risk-free AWS MSK Graviton migration. As a drop-in optimization layer for Kafka workloads, it automates both configuration improvements and infrastructure upgrades, with no code changes or downtime.

Here’s how Superstream simplifies the AWS MSK Graviton migration process:

1. Auto-discovers your AWS MSK clusters securely via IAM permissions.
2. Analyzes cost and performance opportunities across cluster configurations.
3. Applies optimization fixes automatically.
4. Configures the autoscaler for seamless migration from Intel to Graviton.
5. Performs the broker migration automatically when infrastructure requirements are met.
   

By combining AWS MSK cloud cost optimization with automated migration workflows, Superstream makes it easy to move to Graviton and unlock performance—without risking cluster stability.

Step 1: Superstream to auto-discover your AWS MSK clusters

Step 2-3: Analysis and Optimization identification

Step 4: Configure Superstream Autoscaler for AWS MSK

Behind-the-scenes: Rolling Replacement of Brokers

MSK performs a rolling update, replacing one broker at a time:

1. Step 1: A broker is taken out of service.
2. Step 2: A new broker with the updated instance type is launched.
3. Step 3: The new broker joins the cluster.
4. Step 4: Partition replicas and leadership roles are reassigned as needed.
5. Step 5: The old broker is terminated.

This process is repeated for each broker in the cluster.

Availability and Safety

1. Zookeeper remains operational during the change.
2. Write/Read continues—data is not lost.
3. MSK monitors broker health and will retry steps if something fails.
4. The change does not require client-side reconfiguration (brokers retain their DNS endpoints).

With Superstream managing the process, you eliminate migration risk and unlock long-term AWS MSK cost reduction and Kafka performance gains—automatically.

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