Amazon EC2
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is a web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud.
Description
Amazon EC2 is a core component of Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows users to rent virtual servers to run their applications. It enables businesses to quickly scale their computing capacity up or down depending on their needs. This elasticity allows for cost-effective management of resources, as users only pay for the compute time they consume. EC2 instances come in various types optimized for different workloads, including general-purpose, compute-optimized, memory-optimized, and GPU instances. Users can launch instances in minutes, choose the operating system, and select from a wide range of configurations based on required CPU, memory, and storage. EC2 integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, such as Amazon S3 for storage and Amazon RDS for databases, making it a versatile choice for developers and organizations looking to deploy applications in a cloud environment. It is widely used for web hosting, data processing, and application development, providing a robust platform for both startups and large enterprises.
Examples
- A startup uses EC2 to host its web application, allowing it to handle fluctuating traffic without investing in physical servers.
- A large financial institution deploys EC2 instances to run complex risk analysis models, scaling up during peak times for processing power.
Additional Information
- EC2 offers various pricing models, including On-Demand, Reserved Instances, and Spot Instances, giving users flexibility in how they manage costs.
- AWS provides a free tier for new users, allowing them to experiment with EC2 instances at no cost for a limited period.