EC2 instance storage in AWS refers to the storage that comes attached to an EC2 instance. This storage is typically used for temporary data storage and is directly attached to the physical host that the EC2 instance is running on. It is also commonly referred to as instance store or ephemeral storage.
Here are some key points about EC2 instance storage:
- Instance Store Volumes: EC2 instance storage is provided through instance store volumes, which are physically attached to the host machine that hosts the EC2 instance. These volumes are ideal for temporary storage needs such as caching, scratch space, or other temporary data storage requirements.
- Performance: Instance store volumes offer high performance and low latency because they are directly attached to the underlying hardware of the EC2 instance. This makes them suitable for workloads that require high-speed data access.
- Non-Persistent: Unlike Amazon EBS volumes, instance store volumes are non-persistent, meaning that the data stored on them is lost when the instance is stopped or terminated. Therefore, instance store volumes are not suitable for storing data that needs to persist beyond the lifetime of the instance.
- Instance Types: Not all EC2 instance types come with instance store volumes. Some instance types include instance store volumes by default, while others only offer Amazon EBS storage. It’s essential to review the specifications of each instance type to determine whether instance store volumes are included.
- Size and Type: The size and type of instance store volumes vary depending on the instance type. Some instance types offer SSD-backed instance store volumes for high-performance workloads, while others offer HDD-backed volumes for more cost-effective storage.
- Use Cases: Instance store volumes are commonly used for applications that require high-speed local storage, such as database caching, temporary file storage, or processing large datasets.
It’s important to note that because instance store volumes are non-persistent, you should ensure that any critical data is stored on durable storage solutions like Amazon EBS or Amazon S3 to prevent data loss in the event of instance termination or failure.