AWS EC2 Overview

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Tue, 05/17/2022 - 09:04

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) is a web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud. It is designed to make web-scale computing easier for developers.

Example use case

  • Web application hosting
  • Batch processing
  • Web services endpoint
  • Desktop in the cloud

EC2 Concepts

  • Instance Types
  • Root Device Type
  • Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
  • Purchase Options

Amazon EC2 Instance Types

Defines the processor, memory, and storage type Cannot be changed without downtime Provided in the following categories

  • General purpose
  • Compute, memory, and storage optimized
  • Accelerated computing Pricing is based on instance type Some instance types have unique capabilities

Root Device Type

  • Instance Store: Ephemeral storage that is physically attached to the host the virtual server is running on
  • Elastic Block Store (EBS): Persistent storage that exists separately from the host the virtual server is running on

Amazon Machine Image (AMI)

  • Template for an EC2 instance including configuration, operating system, and data
  • AWS provides many AMI’s that can be leveraged
  • AMI’s can be shared across AWS accounts
  • Custom AMI’s can be created based on your configuration
  • Commercial AMI’s are available in the AWS Marketplace

Amazon EC2 Purchase Options

  • On-Demand
  • Reserved
  • Savings Plan
  • Spot
  • Dedicated
Reserved Instances

Provides discounts over the on-demand model when you can commit to a specific period of time. In addition, it provides a capacity reservation for the specific instance type that you specify.

EC2 Reserved Instance Types
  • Standard: Highest discount, works for steady workloads
  • Convertible: Enables the conversion of attributes, works for steady workloads
  • Scheduled: Works for a time window you reserve, good for a predictable workload
Standard Reserved Instance Cost Models
  • All Upfront: Entire cost for the 1 or 3 year period is paid upfront
  • Partial Upfront: Part of 1 or 3 year cost is paid upfront along with a reduced monthly cost
  • No Upfront: No upfront payment is made, but there will be a reduced monthly cost
Savings Plans
  • Similar in concept to reserved instances
  • Supports compute with EC2, Fargate, and Lambda
  • Unlike Reserved Instances, it does not reserve capacity
  • Provide savings of up to 72% Comes in 1 or 3 year terms
Spot instances

Spot instances enable you to leverage excess EC2 compute capacity.

  • Can provide up to 90% discount over on-demand pricing
  • There is a market price for instance types per availability zone called the Spot price
  • When you request instances, if your bid is higher than Spot price they will launch
  • If the Spot price grows to exceed your bid, the instances will be terminated
  • Spot instances can be notified 2 minutes prior to termination.
Dedicated Host

The dedicated host pricing model gives you a dedicated physical server. It will be the most expensive option, but it may be required for either server software licensing or due to a compliance requirement.

Amazon EC2 Purchase Options: instance types
  • Standard or Convertible Reserved Instance If you have an instance that is consistent and always needed.
  • Spot instances if you have batch processing where the process can start and stop without affecting the job .
  • On-Demand Instances if you have an inconsistent need for instances that cannot be stopped without affecting the job, leverage .
  • Dedicated Host if you have specific per-server licensing or if you have a compliance requirement for a dedicated server, you should use
  • Savings Plan if you are leveraging Lambda and/or Fargate alongside EC2 and want to achieve discounts for 1 or 3 years
  • Scheduled Reserved Instance If you have a predictable but not steady workload in EC2.
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