EC2 Use Cases: Web Servers

1. Introduction

Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) provides scalable computing capacity in the cloud. It allows you to run virtual servers on-demand, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including web servers.

2. EC2 Overview

EC2 instances can be launched in various configurations, tailored to different use cases. Key features include:

On-demand pricing
Auto-scaling capabilities
Choice of operating systems
Integrated with other AWS services

3. Use Cases

Web servers can be deployed using EC2 for the following scenarios:

Hosting static websites
Running dynamic websites with databases
Deploying web applications using frameworks (e.g., Django, Node.js)
Scaling applications based on traffic

Example of launching an EC2 instance for a web server:

aws ec2 run-instances \
  --image-id ami-12345678 \
  --count 1 \
  --instance-type t2.micro \
  --key-name MyKeyPair

4. Best Practices

When using EC2 for web servers, consider the following best practices:

Use appropriate instance types based on workload.
Implement security group rules to restrict access.
Regularly back up your data using Amazon S3.
Monitor instance performance and scale appropriately.

5. FAQ

What is the cost of running an EC2 instance?

Costs vary based on instance type, region, and usage. Check the AWS Pricing page for detailed information.

Can I run multiple websites on a single EC2 instance?

Yes, you can host multiple websites on a single EC2 instance by configuring virtual hosts in your web server software.

What is the difference between EC2 and S3?

EC2 is for running virtual servers, while S3 is for object storage. Use EC2 for applications and S3 for storing data.