AWS is discontinuing RDS Custom for Oracle

We work with Oracle teams running complex, production environments. We know a forced migration under deadline pressure is not a small thing. Here is what your options actually look like and why Tessell is the managed alternative built for this transition.

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WHAT IS HAPPENING

AWS is discontinuing RDS Custom for Oracle

AWS will discontinue RDS Custom for Oracle on March 31, 2027. The deprecation period began on March 31, 2026 - giving customers a 12-month window to migrate, of which a significant portion has already passed. Tessell is the managed alternative. RDS Custom existed for a specific reason - Oracle teams needed OS-level access and deeper database control alongside a managed service. Tessell preserves all of that - running inside your own AWS account, fully managed, with migration handled for you. ‍ Tessell is a fully managed database service - meaning Tessell handles all database operations including patching, backups, high availability, and disaster recovery, while your databases and data remain entirely within your own AWS account. AWS's recommended path is self-managed Oracle on EC2. If you'd prefer to stay managed, that's Tessell.

Read AWS's official end-of-support announcement
FeatureDetail

Three Paths off RDS Custom

Each option preserves something different from what RDS Custom gave you. The right fit depends on how much operational control you want to keep versus hand off.

Standard RDS

Managed, but without the control. RDS for Oracle keeps patching, HA, and DR handled for you, while closing off the deeper access RDS Custom allowed.

  • ❌ OS-level access, custom agents, and Oracle tuning are restricted
  • Patching, HA, and DR stay fully managed
  • Fits standard workloads; confirm your dependencies before committing
Tessell console: Standard RDS
Two very different destinations

What you get after RDS Custom

RDS Standard❌ Restricted
EC2 Self-managedAvailable
Tessell✅ Full access, governed and audited
RDS StandardPartial
EC2 Self-managedManual
Tessell✅ Fully automated
RDS StandardMax - 86k
EC2 Self-managedVaries
Tessell✅ 2M–5M+ (NVMe)
RDS Standard❌ No
EC2 Self-managedManual setup
Tessell✅ Fully supported
RDS Standard✅ Included
EC2 Self-managedManual
Tessell✅ Included
RDS Standard✅ Supported
EC2 Self-managedManual
TessellNative
RDS Standard✅ Included
EC2 Self-managedManual
Tessell✅ Included
RDS StandardLimited
EC2 Self-managedManual
TessellTerraform, Python, Go, Shell
RDS StandardN/A
EC2 Self-managedManual
Tessell✅ Yes, using Data Guard Replication
RDS Standard✅ Yes
EC2 Self-managed✅ Yes
Tessell✅ Yes
RDS Standard❌ No
EC2 Self-managedManual
Tessell✅ Yes, allows failover and switchback without rebuild
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Why Oracle teams choose Tessell?

Up to 65% Lower Total Cost of Ownership

Consolidation, automation, and elimination of redundant tooling deliver significant reductions in total database operating costs — documented across enterprise deployments.

Performance Built for Oracle

NVMe-backed storage at 2M–5M+ IOPS - purpose-built for Oracle workloads without the performance ceiling of EBS-backed storage.

Your AWS Infrastructure, Your Control

Your Oracle databases run on dedicated EC2 instances inside your own AWS account - no shared compute, no shared storage. Your VPCs, your subnets, your encryption keys, your security policies. Tessell manages the operations. 99.99% uptime SLA. Your data never leaves your environment.

Enterprise Security Built In

Zero-trust architecture. No inbound access from Tessell's control plane. Bring your own networks and encryption keys. PCI DSS v4.1 certified, SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001.

Migration Bundled

Tessell handles the full migration from RDS Custom using Data Guard, transportable tablespaces, or import/export depending on your environment. Execution, cutover, and validation included. When you're live, you are not inheriting infrastructure to maintain. 99.99% uptime SLA from day one.

Oracle License Visibility

Full visibility into Oracle licenses across your estate - by region, compute type, and workload. Your team maintains accurate compliance and manages license allocation from day one.

Built for regulated and complex environments

PCI DSS
AICPA SOC2
ISO 27001
ISO 27701

Don't let the deadline force a reactive choice.

We work with Oracle teams running complex production environments — packaged applications, custom workloads, mixed Oracle estates. Schedule a call or start with a free assessment to understand what your environment looks like on Tessell.

Start with a Free Oracle Estate Assessment