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Automation of Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Challenge with Multi-Tool – Part 2: Hybrid AWS RDS Deployment

#security #devops #aws #terraform

Part 2: Hybrid AWS RDS Deployments
In the first part of this series, we explored how Terraform and Ansible can together automate provisioning and configuration across multi-cloud and hybrid environments, creating a unified orchestration framework.
This second part focuses on hybrid database automation, using AWS RDS as the cloud component while extending automation to on-premises systems. The implementation aligns with compliance and security baselines under the KSA National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC-1), which parallels the intent of CIS 1 and NIST CSF frameworks.

Why Hybrid AWS RDS Matters
Why Hybrid AWS RDS Matters
Most enterprises now operate within hybrid realities, data and applications distributed between on-premises infrastructure, private cloud, and public cloud. Databases remain among the hardest workloads to migrate and manage due to:

  • Data sovereignty and regulatory compliance requirements (especially in financial and government sectors).
  • Secure connectivity between on-prem and cloud environments.
  • Latency, replication, and backup alignment challenges.


Maintaining consistent configuration and version control across different environments.

By using Terraform and Ansible together, you can provision AWS RDS resources and configure on-prem integrations (applications, routing, bastion access) in one unified, compliant workflow.

Repository Overview
GitHub: https://github.com/neamanahmed/hybrid_aws_rds
Repository Structure
.
├── main.tf # Terraform code for AWS RDS, networking, SGs
├── var_dwc_rds.yml # Variables for RDS and hybrid integration
├── do_terra_rds.yml # Ansible playbook invoking Terraform and post-config
├── rds_mysql_conf.j2 # Jinja2 template for DB parameter configuration
└── outputs.tf # Terraform outputs consumed by Ansible

Highlights
main.tf: Provisions RDS (MySQL) and related resources in AWS.

do_terra_rds.yml: Executes Terraform and applies post-deployment configuration templates.

rds_mysql_conf.j2: Ensures consistent database parameter settings for performance, logging, and encryption policies.

End-to-End Workflow

  1. Trigger: A CI/CD pipeline or operator launches the automation workflow.
  2. Provisioning: Infrastructure is created through Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
  3. Output Capture: Database endpoint, VPC, and security group details are recorded.

  1. Template Generation: Ansible applies configuration templates to ensure policy alignment.
  2. Hybrid Configuration: On-prem systems are updated with connection details and security rules.

  1. Validation: Automated checks confirm database reachability, encryption, and performance settings.

By embedding compliance directly into automation, security and governance become part of the delivery pipeline, rather than post-audit concerns.

Security and Networking Best Practices

  • Deploy RDS in private subnets, without public exposure.

  • Limit inbound access to defined CIDRs or bastion hosts.

  • Enforce TLS 1.2+ for all database connections.

  • Enable automated backups and snapshots for recovery.

  • Integrate CloudWatch alarms and metrics for monitoring.

Use VPN or Direct Connect for secure hybrid data flows.

Hybrid Architecture Value

This setup demonstrates a true hybrid data plane:

  • Cloud: AWS RDS provides scalability, resilience, and managed database services.

  • On-Prem: Legacy or compliance-bound systems consume the same RDS instance securely.

  • Automation Layer: Ansible (with Terraform or other IaC) guarantees repeatable, compliant deployments.

Such hybrid architectures are essential for regulated industries where complete public-cloud migration is not yet practical but modernization must progress.

Next: Multi-Cloud Hybrid GoldenGate Replication

In the upcoming Part 3, we’ll extend this framework into multi-cloud hybrid replication using Oracle GoldenGate, demonstrating:

  • Automated GoldenGate setup and configuration via Ansible.

  • Real-time data synchronization across AWS, Azure, and on-prem Oracle databases.

  • Latency-aware replication and monitoring.

  • Governance alignment for hybrid continuity and audit readiness.

Conclusion

The Hybrid AWS RDS solution merges Infrastructure as Code and Configuration Management into a unified, compliant automation model. By embedding NCA ECC-1 controls within automation, it transforms compliance into an operational capability    making hybrid deployments both secure and reproducible.

Explore the full implementation here: 👉 https://github.com/neamanahmed/hybrid_aws_rds
For Site to Site VPN automated configuration : https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7117443569988071425/?originTrackingId=QSRRNg0bQOOWRnq7CM%2Bcbg%3D%3D

and GitHub repo : https://github.com/neamanahmed/aws-vpn-autoamtion

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