Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) - 3.5 | Chapter 3: Deep Dive into Compute Services | AWS Basic
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3.5 - Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancing (ELB)

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Understanding Auto Scaling

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Auto Scaling is a service that automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances you are running in response to demand. Can anyone tell me why this might be beneficial?

Student 1
Student 1

It helps manage costs by reducing instances during low traffic.

Student 2
Student 2

And it can improve performance during busy times by adding more instances.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We ensure that our applications are both cost-effective and performant. To remember Auto Scaling, think 'Add or Remove' to match demand. What are the components needed to set it up?

Student 3
Student 3

We need a launch configuration and scaling policies.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Always have a launch configuration ready, and use CloudWatch to set up your scaling policies. If the CPU usage exceeds a certain threshold, it can trigger additional resources. Now, can someone summarize what happens when demand decreases?

Student 4
Student 4

It should remove instances accordingly so that we're not wasting resources.

Teacher
Teacher

Great job! In summary, Auto Scaling helps you manage instances dynamically to both save costs and enhance performance.

Exploring Elastic Load Balancing (ELB)

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Next, let's talk about Elastic Load Balancing. Why do we use ELBs in conjunction with Auto Scaling?

Student 1
Student 1

To distribute incoming traffic evenly across all instances!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! ELBs ensure that requests are routed to healthy instances. Can anyone list the types of ELBs?

Student 2
Student 2

There's the Application Load Balancer and the Network Load Balancer.

Student 3
Student 3

And the Classic Load Balancer, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Remember, the Application Load Balancer works at the HTTP/HTTPS layer, while the Network Load Balancer is suited for TCP traffic. To accommodate ultra-low latency, use the Network Load Balancer. Why is having a fault-tolerance mechanism vital?

Student 4
Student 4

It ensures that if one instance fails, traffic can be rerouted to other operational instances.

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely right! ELBs are crucial for maintaining uptime and performance while Auto Scaling handles instance counts. Any final thoughts on how they work together?

Student 1
Student 1

Together, they keep the application running smoothly and efficiently.

Teacher
Teacher

Final summary: ELBs spread traffic across instances managed by Auto Scaling, making your applications scalable and fault-tolerant.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) help maintain application performance and cost efficiency by dynamically adjusting EC2 instances based on demand.

Standard

In this section, we explore how Auto Scaling automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances according to demand, while Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) distributes incoming traffic across these instances for improved application availability and fault tolerance. Together, they provide a robust solution for managing cloud resources efficiently.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) are crucial components in managing AWS resources effectively. Auto Scaling automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances running based on demand, ensuring that applications perform optimally during traffic spikes while also reducing costs during low-traffic periods.

How Auto Scaling Works

  • Launch Configuration: Define what type of EC2 instance to launch when scaling occurs.
  • Scaling Policies: Set up policies based on CloudWatch alarms; for example, scaling out when CPU usage exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., CPU > 70%).
  • Automatic addition or removal of instances based on real-time usage enhances availability and performance.

Elastic Load Balancing (ELB)

  • Purpose: Distributes incoming traffic across multiple instances, enhancing fault tolerance.
  • Types of ELBs:
  • Application Load Balancer: Works at Layer 7 (HTTP/HTTPS) and supports advanced routing capabilities.
  • Network Load Balancer: Functions at Layer 4 (TCP) and is suitable for ultra-low latency applications.
  • Classic Load Balancer: A legacy option supporting both Layer 4 and Layer 7.

Integration

When used together, Auto Scaling and ELB ensure your application remains highly available and resilient, dynamically scaling resources as needed and distributing traffic to guarantee optimal performance and reliability.

Audio Book

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Auto Scaling Overview

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Auto Scaling

Automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances based on demand.
Helps maintain application performance during traffic spikes.
Saves money by reducing instances during low traffic.

Detailed Explanation

Auto Scaling is a feature that automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances running at any given time in response to the workload demand. During periods of high traffic, it can add more instances to maintain performance. Conversely, when traffic is low, it will reduce the number of instances to save costs. This helps to ensure that you are only paying for what you need while maintaining application stability and performance.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a restaurant (your application) that typically serves 50 customers a day. On weekends, it can get busy with up to 100 customers, so the restaurant has to hire more staff (EC2 instances). During quieter days, they can reduce the number of staff to save money. Here, Auto Scaling is like the restaurant manager who adjusts the staff based on customer flow.

How Auto Scaling Works

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How Auto Scaling works

Define a launch configuration (what type of instances to launch).
Set scaling policies based on CloudWatch alarms (e.g., CPU usage > 70% triggers scaling out).
Auto Scaling adds or removes instances as needed.

Detailed Explanation

To use Auto Scaling, you first define a launch configuration, which specifies the type of EC2 instances to launch. After that, you set scaling policies that can automatically respond to changes in demand by monitoring specific metrics through CloudWatch, including CPU usage. For example, if CPU usage exceeds 70%, the scaling policy can trigger the addition of more instances to handle increased load. Similarly, if usage drops, the policy can remove instances.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a security system in a busy mall. The mall manager monitors how crowded the mall is (CPU usage) and has a plan. If the mall gets too crowded, more security staff (EC2 instances) are called in (scale out). If the crowd thins, some staff can go home (scale in). The security team helps ensure that everyone remains safe without excess staff during quiet times.

Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) Overview

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Elastic Load Balancing (ELB)

Distributes incoming network traffic across multiple instances.
Increases fault tolerance by rerouting traffic away from unhealthy instances.

Detailed Explanation

Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) is a service that distributes incoming network traffic across multiple EC2 instances. This helps ensure that no single instance is overwhelmed with too much traffic, which could lead to app failure. ELB also monitors the health of EC2 instances and will reroute traffic away from any instance that is deemed unhealthy, ensuring stable operation.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a popular food truck serving tacos at a festival. Instead of having all the customers line up at one window (one EC2 instance), there are multiple windows (instances) where customers can place their orders. If one window runs out of tacos and can't serve customers, the food truck can direct customers to other open windows, ensuring that everyone is served quickly and efficiently.

Types of Elastic Load Balancers

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Supports different types:
- Application Load Balancer: Works at HTTP/HTTPS layer (Layer 7), supports advanced routing.
- Network Load Balancer: Works at TCP layer (Layer 4), supports ultra-low latency.
- Classic Load Balancer: Legacy option supporting both Layer 4 and 7.

Detailed Explanation

Elastic Load Balancing supports various types of load balancers tailored to different application needs. The Application Load Balancer functions at the HTTP/HTTPS level, allowing for advanced request routing based on URL paths. The Network Load Balancer operates at a lower TCP level, optimized for handling millions of requests per second with ultra-low latency. Classic Load Balancers offer basic load balancing features supporting both Layer 4 and Layer 7. Choosing the right type depends on your application's specific requirements, such as latency sensitivity and routing needs.

Examples & Analogies

Think of different lanes at a toll plaza. An Application Load Balancer is like a dedicated lane for express passes, which lets certain cars through quickly (advanced routing). The Network Load Balancer is similar to a fast lane at a busy highway (ultra-low latency). The Classic Load Balancer is like a general lane that serves all types of vehicles but isn't as quick or efficient as the others.

Integration of ELB and Auto Scaling

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How ELB and Auto Scaling work together

ELB sends incoming traffic to healthy instances.
Auto Scaling changes the number of instances dynamically.
Together, they ensure your application is highly available, scalable, and fault-tolerant.

Detailed Explanation

ELB and Auto Scaling are designed to work together to ensure high availability and reliability of applications. While Auto Scaling adjusts the number of EC2 instances based on demand, ELB ensures that incoming traffic is distributed only to the healthy instances among them. This collaboration helps maintain application performance and responsiveness, regardless of fluctuations in user demand or instance health.

Examples & Analogies

Visualize a busy concert venue. Auto Scaling is like the staff who set up extra gates when there are long lines (increased demand), so everyone can enter quickly. ELB is like the security team ensuring that everyone enters through the gates that are open and functioning, keeping the crowd flowing smoothly and safely into the venue.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Auto Scaling: Automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances based on demand.

  • Elastic Load Balancing: Distributes incoming traffic across multiple EC2 instances, improving fault tolerance.

  • Launch Configuration: Defines how an instance is launched in Auto Scaling.

  • Scaling Policies: Set rules for how and when to add or remove instances.

  • CloudWatch: Monitors AWS resources and triggers scaling actions.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • An e-commerce site uses Auto Scaling to add more EC2 instances during holiday sales to handle increased traffic.

  • A web application uses an Application Load Balancer to manage traffic and ensure requests are routed to healthy instances only.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • Scaling up or scaling down, makes your cloud computing a crown.

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a restaurant that serves more customers during busy hours by bringing in more chefs and sends some home when it’s quiet; much like Auto Scaling for servers.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • For ELB, remember 'RHS': Route Healthy Servers; it focuses on directing traffic to 'healthy' instances.

🎯 Super Acronyms

SCALING

  • Synchronized Control
  • Adjusting Load In Next Growth - highlighting how Auto Scaling controls and manages load.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Auto Scaling

    Definition:

    A service that automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances in response to demand.

  • Term: Elastic Load Balancer (ELB)

    Definition:

    A service that distributes incoming application traffic across multiple targets, such as EC2 instances.

  • Term: Launch Configuration

    Definition:

    A template that an Auto Scaling group uses to create EC2 instances.

  • Term: Scaling Policies

    Definition:

    Rules that specify how to scale in or out based on CloudWatch metrics.

  • Term: CloudWatch

    Definition:

    A monitoring service for Amazon Web Services resources and applications.