3.2.2.7 - Review and Launch
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Launching EC2 Instances
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Okay class, today we are going to learn how to launch an EC2 instance. Can anyone tell me what an EC2 instance is?
Itβs a virtual machine on AWS!
Great! Yes, it's essentially a virtual server that runs applications. So, let's walk through the steps for launching an instance. What do we need to select first?
Do we pick an AMI first?
Exactly! An AMI or Amazon Machine Image is like a pre-configured template for your instance. After choosing an AMI, whatβs next?
We have to select the instance type!
Correct! The instance type determines the CPU, memory, and storage. For beginners, what instance type do you think is a good starting point?
t2.micro, since it's free-tier eligible!
Exactly! Letβs recap: First, we choose an AMI, then select the instance type. Next, we configure instance details where we set up the network and permissions. Can anyone tell me what happens after we add storage?
We can add tags to help organize our instances?
Right! Tags are key-value pairs to manage instances. Finally, we must configure a security group to manage traffic. What is one protocol we might allow?
SSH for Linux instances!
Yes, well done! Remember, the last step is to review and launch the instance. Thatβs the process of launching an EC2 instance.
EC2 Instance Types and Pricing Models
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Now that we know how to launch an EC2 instance, letβs discuss the different types of instances. Can anyone name a family of instance types and its function?
General Purpose instances! They are used for web servers and development environments.
Exactly! They provide a balanced approach to CPU, memory, and networking. What about a specialized type optimized for high CPU workloads?
That would be Compute Optimized, like the c5 instance!
Great job! There are also pricing models we need to consider. Can anyone explain the difference between On-Demand and Reserved pricing?
On-Demand lets you pay for what you use without commitment, while Reserved gives you a discount if you commit for one or three years.
Exactly! And what about Spot Instances?
They let you bid on spare capacity at a lower price!
Correct! Always remember, understanding the right model can save costs significantly, especially for long-term workloads. Can someone summarize the different types of instances weβve discussed?
General Purpose, Compute Optimized, Memory Optimized, and Storage Optimized!
Very well done! Different workloads require different instance types.
AWS Lambda and Serverless Computing
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Lastly, let's touch on AWS Lambda. Who can tell me what it is?
It's a serverless compute service where we run code without managing servers!
Exactly! With Lambda, you upload your code and it runs automatically based on specified events. What are some event sources that can trigger a Lambda function?
File uploads to S3 or HTTP requests via API Gateway!
Perfect! Another great benefit is automatic scaling. Can anyone explain what that means?
It scales according to demand, which keeps costs down!
Yes! You are only charged for the compute time when your code runs, which is super efficient. Can you think of a use case for Lambda?
Generating thumbnails for images uploaded to S3!
Excellent example! Remember, serverless computing is a fantastic way to handle workloads without worrying about server management.
Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancing
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To wrap up, letβs discuss Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancing. Who knows what Auto Scaling does?
It automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances based on demand!
Correct! This helps maintain performance during traffic spikes. What about Elastic Load Balancing?
It distributes incoming traffic across multiple instances to avoid stressing any single instance.
Exactly! And how do they work together?
Auto Scaling changes the number of instances while ELB sends traffic to healthy instances.
Well said! This combination ensures that applications are highly available and can handle varying loads efficiently. Can anyone summarize the importance of these two features?
They improve fault tolerance and application performance while keeping costs manageable!
Exactly! Great job, everyone!
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, learners will explore how to launch EC2 instances, understand various types and pricing strategies, and get introduced to serverless computing with AWS Lambda. Additionally, the importance of auto-scaling and Elastic Load Balancing for application scalability and cost-efficiency is highlighted.
Detailed
Review and Launch
This section covers the critical components of launching and managing EC2 instances within AWS. It begins by explaining what an EC2 instance isβa virtual machine in the cloud to run applications. The process of launching an EC2 instance is detailed through the following steps:
- Choosing an AMI (Amazon Machine Image): These are pre-configured operating systems available on AWS, customizable based on user needs.
- Selecting Instance Types based on required resources (CPU, memory, storage); for beginners, options like t2.micro are recommended for low-cost experiments.
- Configuring Instance Details involves selecting network settings, IAM roles, and monitoring options necessary for the instance's operation.
- Adding Storage using Elastic Block Store (EBS) enables data persistence through the instance's lifecycle.
- Securing the Instance through a proper Security Group setup to control inbound and outbound traffic, enhancing the instance's security.
- Reviewing and Launching the instance follows the setup.
The management of EC2 instances includes starting, stopping, rebooting, and terminating instances, as well as connecting through SSH or RDP based on the operating system used.
Next, the section delves into various EC2 instance types and pricing models. Understanding the distinctions between On-Demand, Reserved, Spot Instances, and Savings Plans is critical for making cost-effective decisions based on workload and usage patterns.
Following this, AWS Lambda's serverless computing is introduced, which allows code execution without server management, promoting scalability and cost efficiency. Typical event sources that may trigger a Lambda function are also covered, solidifying the practical implications of serverless architecture.
Finally, the section touches upon Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancing systems, illustrating how they cooperate to provide fault tolerance, enhance application performance, and manage costs efficiently through flexible scaling. The automatic adjustment of instances according to traffic ensures high availability of applications while maintaining performance.
Audio Book
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Creating or Selecting an SSH Key Pair
Chapter 1 of 2
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Chapter Content
Create or select an SSH key pair to securely access the instance.
Detailed Explanation
When you launch an EC2 instance, you must provide a way to access it securely. This is done using an SSH key pair. An SSH key pair consists of a private key and a public key. The private key is kept secret and stored on your local machine, while the public key is stored on the EC2 instance. When you attempt to connect to the instance, it checks for the public key. Without the correct private key, access is denied, ensuring your instance is secure.
Examples & Analogies
Think of the SSH key pair like a door key. You have a unique key (private key) that fits your door (EC2 instance). The lock (public key) is placed on the door. When you want to enter your house (connect to your instance), you need to use your key. If you don't have the key, you can't get in, just like if you don't have the correct private key, you can't access your EC2 instance.
Launching the EC2 Instance
Chapter 2 of 2
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Chapter Content
Launch and wait a few minutes for the instance to become available.
Detailed Explanation
Once you have configured your instance settings and selected your key pair, you proceed to launch the instance. This process involves AWS creating the virtual server (EC2 instance) based on your configuration. It typically takes a few minutes for the instance to initialize and become available. After this period, you can connect to the instance using the SSH key pair you've set up.
Examples & Analogies
Launching an EC2 instance can be compared to ordering a custom-built car. Once you finalize all your choices (like color, features, and specifications), the manufacturer (AWS) takes time to build your car. You wait for it to be constructed and inspected before you can drive it away. Similarly, after configuring your EC2 instance, you wait a few minutes for it to be ready for use.
Key Concepts
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EC2 Instance: A virtual server in the cloud used to run applications.
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Launching an Instance: The process of creating a new EC2 instance involves selecting AMIs and configuring various settings.
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EC2 Instance Types: Families of instances optimized for different workloads, such as general purpose, compute optimized, memory optimized, etc.
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AWS Lambda: A serverless computing service that executes code in response to events.
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Auto Scaling: A feature that automatically adjusts the number of running EC2 instances based on demand.
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Elastic Load Balancing: A service that distributes incoming traffic across multiple EC2 instances.
Examples & Applications
An EC2 instance running a web server using an Amazon Linux AMI.
Using AWS Lambda to process data uploaded to S3 and generate reports automatically.
Auto Scaling configured to add more EC2 instances during peak access hours for a web application.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
AWS EC2, virtual instances for me, launch them with ease, from servers to trees.
Stories
Imagine a person named EC2 who could create virtual friends (instances) to help run their tasks. Each friend has special skills (like AMI types) to match the job perfectly.
Memory Tools
Remember 'SLEET' to launch an instance: Select AMI, Launch type, Evaluate settings, Execute tags, and Terminate safely.
Acronyms
MiTE for EC2 instance types
Memory
Compute
Storage
General purpose.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)
A web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud.
- AMI (Amazon Machine Image)
A pre-configured template for launching EC2 instances.
- Instance Type
A classification of EC2 instances based on their capabilities.
- EBS (Elastic Block Store)
A storage solution that provides persistent block storage for EC2 instances.
- Security Group
A virtual firewall for controlling inbound and outbound traffic for EC2 instances.
- AWS Lambda
A serverless compute service that runs code in response to events without managing infrastructure.
- Auto Scaling
A service that automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances based on demand.
- Elastic Load Balancing
A service that automatically distributes incoming application traffic across multiple targets.
- OnDemand Instances
EC2 instance pricing model that allows users to pay per hour or second with no commitment.
- Reserved Instances
EC2 pricing model providing significant discounts for long-term commitments.
- Spot Instances
EC2 instances purchased at a discounted rate through bidding for unused AWS capacity.
Reference links
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