Error: elasticache redis memory spike

What's Causing This Error

The 'ElastiCache Redis memory spike' error is typically a result of unexpected or excessive utilization of available memory within your ElastiCache instance. There could be various reasons behind this. One common cause could be an abrupt increase in the size or number of the objects being stored, possibly from a large import or a batch process. Another reason could be the implementation of certain Redis data structures or commands that are inherently memory-intensive. Additionally, if caching policies such as eviction policies are not set appropriately, older unused data may not be removed promptly, causing memory to fill up.

Solution - Here's How To Resolve It

To resolve the issue of memory spiking in ElastiCache Redis, you could start by evaluating the memory usage patterns and the types of keys stored in your cache. Tools like INFO MEMORY, MEMORY USAGE key, or Redis' built-in MONITOR command can be helpful for this. If specific keys or data structures are consuming more memory than expected, consider redesigning them or limiting their size.

Next, review your eviction policy. If it's currently set to 'no eviction', consider changing it to another policy like 'allkeys-lru' (Least Recently Used) or 'volatile-ttl' (Time To Live), which will help remove less frequently accessed or older data. If memory issues persist after these changes, you might need to consider scaling up your ElastiCache instance or partitioning your data across multiple instances to provide more memory capacity. Remember, it's crucial to monitor your memory usage on an ongoing basis to prevent similar issues in the future.