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Introduction to Cloud 101: Choose the Right EC2 Instance for Long-Term Use

Learn about the best EC2 instance type for computing resources needed for at least one full year. Discover the benefits of Reserved Instances compared to Spot Instances, Lambda instances, and On-Demand instances.

Table of Contents

Question

Which type of EC2 instance would you use if you needed a computing resource that would be in use for at least one full year?

A. Spot Instance
B. Lambda instance
C. On-Demand
D. Reserved Instance

Answer

The correct response option is: Reserved instance. Reserved instances are 70% cheaper than using On-Demand instances. To get a Reserved instance, you need to commit to using the instance for 1 or 3 years.

The other responses are incorrect because:

  • On-Demand instances are ideally used for computing needs that are less than a year.
  • Spot instances are used for computing needs that need to run for low costs and can be interrupted.
  • Lambda instances do not exist. You can use AWS Lambda to process snippets of code, when a Lambda function is triggered.

If you need a computing resource that will be in use for at least one full year, the most cost-effective and appropriate choice is a Reserved Instance. Here’s why:

  • Cost Savings: Reserved Instances offer significant cost savings compared to On-Demand instances. By committing to a one-year or three-year term, you can save up to 75% on your EC2 costs.
  • Guaranteed Capacity: When you purchase a Reserved Instance, you are guaranteed the capacity you need for the duration of your reservation. This ensures that your applications will always have the resources they require.
  • Flexibility: Reserved Instances provide flexibility in terms of instance type and size. You can choose the specific instance type and size that best fits your workload requirements.

The other options are less suitable for long-term use:

  • Spot Instances (A) are ideal for workloads that can be interrupted and are not suitable for long-term, consistent use.
  • Lambda instances (B) are serverless and are used for running code without provisioning or managing servers. They are not a type of EC2 instance.
  • On-Demand instances (C) are more expensive than Reserved Instances and do not provide the cost savings or capacity guarantees that Reserved Instances offer.

In summary, for computing resources that will be in use for at least one full year, Reserved Instances provide the best combination of cost savings, guaranteed capacity, and flexibility.

Explanation

AWS Introduction to Cloud 101 EDC101v1 EN US KC M06 Final Assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the AWS Introduction to Cloud 101 exam and earn AWS Introduction to Cloud 101 certification.