What is the first troubleshooting step when I/O to Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) is too low?

When encountering low I/O performance with Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS), the first troubleshooting step of reviewing the instance and EBS types is crucial because it allows for a comprehensive assessment of the underlying factors affecting performance. Different EBS volume types have varying performance characteristics, including IOPS, throughput, and durability. Understanding which type of EBS volume is being used, as well as the instance type and its limitations, can provide insights into whether the current configurations are appropriate for the application’s workload.

For example, if a general-purpose SSD (gp2/gp3) volume is being used but the workload demands higher IOPS or throughput, then determining if a provisioned IOPS SSD (io1/io2) might be more suitable can make a significant difference. Additionally, the instance type itself has a maximum I/O capacity that could be contributing to the bottleneck; hence, reviewing both the instance and EBS types ensures that they are aligned for optimal performance.

Taking this approach enables one to pinpoint whether the issue arises from configuration mismatches or limitations before considering other troubleshooting actions such as modifying the EBS volume type or addressing the application itself. Each of these actions has implications for how I/O performance can be optimized, making it essential to start with