Instance states (running, stopped, terminated) in AWS - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Instance states (running, stopped, terminated)

Launch Instance

↓

State: running

↓

Stop Instance

↓

State: stopped

↓

Start Instance

↓

State: running

↓

Terminate Instance

↓

State: terminated

↓

No further actions allowed

This flow shows how an AWS instance moves through states: launched (running), stopped, started (running), and finally terminated where it cannot be restarted.

Execution Sample

AWS

Launch instance -> Stop instance -> Start instance -> Terminate instance

This sequence shows an instance changing states from running to stopped to running, and then terminated.

Process Table

Step	Action	Instance State Before	Instance State After	Notes
1	Launch instance	N/A	running	Instance is launched and running
2	Stop instance	running	stopped	Instance is stopped but can be started again
3	Start instance	stopped	running	Instance is now running and usable
4	Terminate instance	running	terminated	Instance is permanently deleted
5	Start instance	terminated	terminated	Cannot start a terminated instance

💡 Instance reaches terminated state; no further actions allowed

Status Tracker

Instance State	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 5
state	N/A	running	stopped	running	terminated	terminated

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why can't we start the instance after it is terminated?

Because termination deletes the instance permanently, as shown in step 5 of the execution_table where the state remains terminated despite the start action.

Is the instance usable when it is stopped?

No, when stopped (step 2), the instance is not running and cannot serve requests, but it can be started again.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the instance state after step 2?

A running

B stopped

C terminated

D pending

💡 Hint

Check the 'Instance State After' column for step 2 in the execution_table

At which step does the instance become permanently unusable?

A Step 4

B Step 3

C Step 2

D Step 1

💡 Hint

Look for when the state changes to 'terminated' in the execution_table

If we try to start the instance after termination, what happens to the state?

A Changes to running

B Changes to stopped

C Remains terminated

D Changes to pending

💡 Hint

See step 5 in the execution_table where start action is attempted on terminated instance

Concept Snapshot

AWS Instance States:
- stopped: instance exists but not running
- running: instance is active and usable
- terminated: instance is deleted permanently
You can start a stopped instance to run it.
You cannot start a terminated instance.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how an AWS instance changes states. When launched, it starts in running state, where it can serve requests. Stopping it moves it to stopped, pausing usage but allowing restart. Starting it returns it to running. Terminating deletes it permanently, preventing any further start. The execution table tracks each step and state change, clarifying when actions are allowed or blocked.