Back to Compute

Amazon EC2

5 minutes 5 Questions

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) is a fundamental and scalable service within the AWS suite, designed to provide resizable compute capacity in the cloud. It allows users to launch and manage virtual servers, known as instances, which can run a variety of operating systems such as Linux, Windows, and others. EC2 offers a wide range of instance types optimized for different use cases, including compute-intensive tasks, memory-intensive applications, and storage-optimized workloads, enabling users to select the most appropriate configuration for their specific needs. One of the key features of Amazon EC2 is its flexibility. Users can easily scale their infrastructure up or down based on demand, ensuring efficient resource utilization and cost management. This elasticity is facilitated by features like Auto Scaling, which automatically adjusts the number of running instances in response to traffic patterns, and Elastic Load Balancing, which distributes incoming application traffic across multiple instances to enhance availability and fault tolerance. Security is a paramount aspect of EC2, with robust measures such as Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) allowing users to define isolated network environments. Additionally, security groups and network access control lists (ACLs) provide fine-grained control over inbound and outbound traffic to instances. AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) further ensures that users have appropriate permissions to access and manage EC2 resources securely. EC2 integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, including Amazon S3 for storage, Amazon RDS for databases, and AWS Lambda for serverless computing, creating a cohesive and comprehensive cloud ecosystem. Pricing for EC2 is flexible, offering various models such as On-Demand Instances for short-term needs, Reserved Instances for long-term commitments with cost savings, and Spot Instances that allow users to bid on unused capacity at reduced rates. In summary, Amazon EC2 provides a robust, scalable, and flexible computing environment tailored to meet diverse application requirements. Its deep integration with the broader AWS ecosystem, combined with its security features and flexible pricing models, makes it an essential service for individuals and organizations seeking to leverage cloud computing effectively.

Amazon EC2 - Elastic Compute Cloud

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is a critical service in the AWS ecosystem, providing scalable computing capacity in the cloud. Understanding EC2 is essential for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.

Why EC2 is Important:
EC2 allows users to rent virtual computers on which to run their own applications, providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for computing needs. It eliminates the need for upfront hardware investments and enables businesses to scale resources based on demand.

What is EC2?
EC2 provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud. It offers a wide selection of instance types optimized to fit different use cases, such as compute-optimized, memory-optimized, and accelerated computing instances. Users can launch as many or as few virtual servers as needed, configure security and networking, and manage storage.

How EC2 Works:
1. Launch: Select an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) and an instance type, then launch the instance.
2. Connect: Connect to the instance using SSH for Linux or RDP for Windows.
3. Use: Run applications, store data, and scale as needed.
4. Stop or Terminate: Stop the instance to save its state, or terminate it to delete it permanently.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Amazon EC2
1. Understand the difference between stop and terminate for instances.
2. Know the various instance types and their use cases (e.g., compute-optimized for high-performance applications).
3. Understand the role of AMIs and how they relate to instances.
4. Be familiar with EC2 pricing models (On-Demand, Reserved, and Spot Instances).
5. Understand the basics of Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancing in relation to EC2.

By grasping these key concepts and applying them to scenario-based questions, you'll be well-prepared to tackle EC2 questions on the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.

Test mode:
Start practice test
CCP - Compute Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)

Question 1

What is the purpose of an Amazon EC2 security group?

Correct Answer: To control inbound and outbound traffic at the instance level

The purpose of an Amazon EC2 security group is to control inbound and outbound traffic at the instance level. Security groups act as virtual firewalls for EC2 instances, allowing you to specify which traffic is allowed to reach or leave the instances. They operate at the instance level, not at the user or data encryption level. Security groups are not used for managing user access and permissions, encrypting data on EBS volumes, or automatically scaling EC2 instances. Those functions are handled by other AWS services such as IAM, EBS encryption, and Auto Scaling, respectively.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a supported operating system for Amazon EC2 instances?

Correct Answer: iOS

iOS is a mobile operating system used on Apple devices like iPhones and iPads. It is not a supported operating system for Amazon EC2 instances, which are virtual servers in the cloud. Amazon EC2 supports popular server operating systems such as Amazon Linux, Microsoft Windows Server, and Ubuntu Server. These operating systems are designed to run on servers and provide the necessary environment for deploying and running applications in the cloud.

Question 3

Which of the following is a feature of Amazon EC2 that allows you to launch instances on dedicated hardware?

Correct Answer: Dedicated Instances

Dedicated Instances in Amazon EC2 allow you to launch instances on dedicated hardware, ensuring that your instances are physically isolated at the host hardware level from instances belonging to other customers. This feature is specifically designed for workloads that have strict compliance, security, or licensing requirements. Spot Instances are cost-effective instances that can be interrupted by AWS, and they do not guarantee dedicated hardware. Reserved Instances provide billing discounts but do not necessarily guarantee dedicated hardware. On-Demand Instances can be launched with default tenancy, which means they run on shared hardware. Therefore, the correct answer is Dedicated Instances, which provide the capability to launch instances on dedicated hardware.

Go Premium

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Preparation Package (2024)

  • 1733 Superior-grade AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner practice questions.
  • Accelerated Mastery: Deep dive into critical topics to fast-track your mastery.
  • Unlock Effortless CCP preparation: 5 full exams.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Full refund with no questions if unsatisfied.
  • Bonus: If you upgrade now you get upgraded access to all courses
  • Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!
More Amazon EC2 questions
10 questions (total)
Start 10 question test