AWS EC2 Explained in Simple Words
By Lavatech Technology
In today’s cloud-driven world, companies need computing power that is flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient. Buying physical servers is expensive and time-consuming. This is where AWS EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) becomes a game-changer. It allows businesses to launch virtual servers in minutes and pay only for what they use.
If you’re new to cloud computing or looking to understand EC2 in easy language, this guide will walk you through everything step-by-step.
For more information. Click here https://lavatechtechnology.com/devops-course-in-pune/
What is AWS EC2?
AWS EC2 is a cloud service that lets you create and manage virtual machines (called instances) on Amazon’s infrastructure.
Instead of buying physical servers, you simply rent computing power from AWS.
Think of EC2 like renting a computer in the cloud. You choose how powerful it should be, how much storage it needs, and what operating system it runs. And whenever you’re done, you can stop it, resize it, restart it, or even delete it.
Why Do We Use EC2?
Businesses use EC2 because it provides:
| Feature | What It Means | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Scalability | Increase or decrease server capacity anytime | Handle traffic smoothly |
| Pay-as-you-go | Pay only for the time your instance is running | Saves cost |
| Variety of Configurations | Choose CPU, RAM, storage, OS, etc. | Perfect for any use case |
| Global Availability | Servers available worldwide | Fast performance everywhere |
| Security | Comes with network rules and encryption | Safe and controlled environment |
Key Components of EC2
Understanding EC2 becomes simple once you know these building blocks:
1. Instance
A virtual machine you launch (like a remote computer).
2. AMI (Amazon Machine Image)
The template used to create your instance.
Example: Ubuntu, Windows Server, Amazon Linux.
3. Instance Type
Defines power (CPU, RAM).
Example: t2.micro, t3.small, m5.large.
4. EBS (Elastic Block Storage)
Storage disk attached to your instance.
Similar to a hard drive.
5. Security Groups
A firewall that controls who can access your instance.
6. Key Pair
Used to securely log in via SSH (Linux) or RDP (Windows).
Types of EC2 Instances
AWS provides different instance families based on requirements:
| Instance Family | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| General Purpose | Balanced workloads | t3, m5 |
| Compute Optimized | CPU-intensive tasks | c5, c7gn |
| Memory Optimized | Large databases & caching | r5, x2gd |
| Storage Optimized | Big data & analytics | i3, d2 |
| GPU Instances | AI, ML, graphics rendering | p4, g5 |
How to Launch an EC2 Instance (Basic Steps)
Login to your AWS Console
Go to EC2 Dashboard
Click Launch Instance
Select an AMI (Example: Ubuntu 22.04)
Select Instance Type (Example: t2.micro for free tier)
Create or choose a Key Pair
Configure Security Groups (allow SSH/HTTP as needed)
Choose storage (EBS)
Click Launch
In a few seconds, your cloud server is ready.
Where is EC2 Used in Real Life?
Hosting Websites & Web Apps
Running Backend Services
E-commerce Platforms
Development & Testing Environments
Machine Learning Model Training
Streaming and Media Processing
VPN Servers & Private Workloads
Essentially, if it runs on a computer, it can run on EC2.
Cost of EC2
EC2 billing is based on:
Instance running time (per second/hour)
Storage usage (EBS)
Data transfer
Optional features (elastic IPs, snapshots)
To reduce cost, AWS also offers:
| Pricing Option | Description |
|---|---|
| On-Demand | Pay only for hours used |
| Reserved Instances | Commit for 1–3 years to get discounts |
| Spot Instances | Bid on unused capacity for very low prices |
Conclusion
AWS EC2 is one of the most flexible and powerful cloud computing services in the world. It removes the need to purchase and maintain expensive physical servers. With EC2, you can start small and scale as your business grows. At Lavatech Technology, we help organizations adopt EC2 efficiently, ensuring speed, security, and cost control.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or business owner, learning EC2 gives you a strong foundation in cloud computing.
For more information. Click here https://lavatechtechnology.com/devops-course-in-pune/
Call us on +91 96073 31234