Amazon EC2

Launch virtual servers, streamline development/testing, and scale computing resources as needed.

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Web, API
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What is Amazon EC2?

Amazon EC2 provides on-demand virtual servers (called instances) that you launch and configure to suit your workload. You choose instance types based on CPU, memory, storage, and GPU requirements, then pay only for the compute time you use. EC2 integrates with other AWS services and supports auto-scaling, so you can adjust capacity from one instance to thousands without manual intervention. It works well for hosting web applications, running databases, batch processing, development environments, and any task requiring flexible computing power.

Key features

Multiple instance types

compute-optimised, memory-optimised, storage-optimised, and GPU-equipped variants for different workloads

Auto Scaling

automatically adjust the number of instances based on demand or custom metrics

Amazon Machine Images (AMIs)

pre-configured templates for launching instances consistently

EBS volumes

persistent block storage that attaches to instances and survives instance termination

Security groups and VPC integration

control network access and isolate infrastructure

CloudWatch monitoring

track CPU, memory, disk, and network metrics with alerting

Multiple pricing options

on-demand, reserved instances, spot instances, and savings plans

Global availability

launch instances in multiple AWS regions and availability zones

Pros & cons

Advantages

Pay only for what you use with hourly billing; no long-term commitments required for on-demand pricing
Wide selection of instance types means you can match resources precisely to your workload
Auto-scaling adjusts capacity automatically based on demand, reducing manual management
Integrates deeply with other AWS services like RDS, S3, Lambda, and CloudWatch
Available in many regions worldwide, allowing you to run infrastructure close to your users
Flexible security options through security groups, VPCs, and IAM policies
Cost options like Spot Instances and Reserved Instances can significantly reduce spending

Limitations

Pricing model is complex with multiple options, making cost prediction difficult without careful planning
Requires understanding of networking, security groups, subnets, and IAM for proper setup and security
Auto-scaling configuration can be complicated for new users; mistakes can lead to cost overruns
No built-in load balancing; you must set up Elastic Load Balancer separately
Ongoing monitoring and optimisation needed to manage costs and ensure good performance
Steep learning curve for those new to cloud infrastructure and AWS concepts