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EKS vs ECS decision in AWS - CLI Comparison

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Introduction
Choosing between EKS and ECS helps you decide how to run your container apps on AWS. Both let you run containers but differ in complexity and control. Picking the right one saves time and effort.
When you want full control over Kubernetes features and ecosystem, choose EKS.
When you want a simpler way to run containers without managing Kubernetes, choose ECS.
When your team already knows Kubernetes, EKS fits better.
When you want to quickly deploy containers with less setup, ECS is easier.
When you need to run containers alongside other AWS services tightly, ECS integrates well.
Commands
This command creates an EKS Kubernetes cluster named example-cluster in the us-east-1 region with specified subnets and security groups. It sets up the control plane for Kubernetes.
Terminal
aws eks create-cluster --name example-cluster --region us-east-1 --kubernetes-version 1.27 --role-arn arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/EKSClusterRole --resources-vpc-config subnetIds=subnet-abc123,subnet-def456,securityGroupIds=sg-0123456789abcdef0
Expected OutputExpected
{ "cluster": { "name": "example-cluster", "arn": "arn:aws:eks:us-east-1:123456789012:cluster/example-cluster", "createdAt": "2024-06-01T12:00:00Z", "version": "1.27", "endpoint": "https://ABCDEF123456.gr7.us-east-1.eks.amazonaws.com", "roleArn": "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/EKSClusterRole", "resourcesVpcConfig": { "subnetIds": [ "subnet-abc123", "subnet-def456" ], "securityGroupIds": [ "sg-0123456789abcdef0" ], "endpointPublicAccess": true }, "status": "CREATING" } }
→
--name - Sets the cluster name
→
--kubernetes-version - Specifies Kubernetes version
→
--resources-vpc-config - Defines networking for the cluster
Waits until the EKS cluster is fully active and ready to use before proceeding.
Terminal
aws eks wait cluster-active --name example-cluster --region us-east-1
Expected OutputExpected
No output (command runs silently)
→
--name - Specifies the cluster to wait for
Creates a simple ECS cluster named example-ecs-cluster in the us-east-1 region to run container tasks.
Terminal
aws ecs create-cluster --cluster-name example-ecs-cluster --region us-east-1
Expected OutputExpected
{ "cluster": { "clusterArn": "arn:aws:ecs:us-east-1:123456789012:cluster/example-ecs-cluster", "clusterName": "example-ecs-cluster", "status": "ACTIVE", "registeredContainerInstancesCount": 0, "runningTasksCount": 0, "pendingTasksCount": 0 } }
→
--cluster-name - Names the ECS cluster
Lists all ECS clusters in the us-east-1 region to verify the cluster creation.
Terminal
aws ecs list-clusters --region us-east-1
Expected OutputExpected
{ "clusterArns": [ "arn:aws:ecs:us-east-1:123456789012:cluster/example-ecs-cluster" ] }
Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: EKS gives you full Kubernetes power but needs more setup, while ECS is simpler for running containers directly on AWS.

Common Mistakes
Trying to use Kubernetes commands directly on ECS clusters.
ECS does not use Kubernetes; it has its own API and commands.
Use ECS CLI or AWS CLI ECS commands for ECS clusters, and kubectl for EKS clusters.
Creating EKS clusters without specifying proper VPC subnets and security groups.
EKS needs networking configured correctly to work; missing this causes cluster creation failure.
Always provide valid subnet IDs and security group IDs in the create-cluster command.
Summary
Use 'aws eks create-cluster' to set up a Kubernetes cluster with control over pods and services.
Use 'aws ecs create-cluster' for a simpler container cluster managed by AWS without Kubernetes complexity.
Verify cluster creation with 'aws eks wait cluster-active' for EKS and 'aws ecs list-clusters' for ECS.

Practice

(1/5)
1. Which AWS service is best if you want to use Kubernetes features and have more control over container orchestration?
easy
A. Amazon S3
B. Amazon ECS
C. AWS Lambda
D. Amazon EKS

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand Kubernetes and AWS services

    Kubernetes is a popular container orchestration system. Amazon EKS is AWS's managed Kubernetes service.

  2. Step 2: Match service to requirement

    Since the question asks for Kubernetes features and control, Amazon EKS fits best.

  3. Final Answer:

    Amazon EKS -> Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    Kubernetes features = Amazon EKS [OK]
Hint: EKS = Kubernetes control; ECS = simpler AWS container [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing ECS as Kubernetes service
  • Choosing Lambda or S3 which are unrelated
  • Thinking ECS offers full Kubernetes features
2. Which of the following is the correct way to describe Amazon ECS?
easy
A. A managed Kubernetes service
B. An object storage service
C. A simple AWS-native container orchestration service
D. A serverless function service

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify ECS service type

    Amazon ECS is AWS's own container orchestration service, simpler than Kubernetes.

  2. Step 2: Match description

    It is AWS-native and simpler, not Kubernetes or serverless or storage.

  3. Final Answer:

    A simple AWS-native container orchestration service -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    ECS = simple AWS container service [OK]
Hint: ECS = simple AWS container service, not Kubernetes [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Calling ECS a Kubernetes service
  • Confusing ECS with Lambda or S3
  • Mixing up service types
3. You have a team with no Kubernetes experience and want to deploy containers quickly using AWS services. Which service will likely result in faster setup and simpler management?
medium
A. Amazon ECS
B. Amazon EC2 without containers
C. Amazon EKS
D. AWS Elastic Beanstalk

Solution

  1. Step 1: Consider team skills and service complexity

    Without Kubernetes experience, simpler AWS-native services are easier to manage.

  2. Step 2: Compare ECS and EKS for ease

    ECS is simpler and faster to set up than EKS, which requires Kubernetes knowledge.

  3. Final Answer:

    Amazon ECS -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    No Kubernetes skill = ECS faster setup [OK]
Hint: No Kubernetes skill? Choose ECS for simplicity [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Choosing EKS despite no Kubernetes experience
  • Confusing Elastic Beanstalk with container orchestration
  • Ignoring team skill impact
4. A developer tries to deploy a containerized app using Amazon EKS but faces complex setup issues. What is a likely cause?
medium
A. EKS requires Kubernetes knowledge and setup complexity
B. ECS does not support containers
C. EKS does not allow container orchestration
D. ECS is only for serverless functions

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand EKS complexity

    EKS is a managed Kubernetes service, which needs Kubernetes knowledge and setup steps.

  2. Step 2: Identify cause of deployment issues

    Complex setup issues usually come from Kubernetes learning curve and configuration.

  3. Final Answer:

    EKS requires Kubernetes knowledge and setup complexity -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    EKS complexity = Kubernetes knowledge needed [OK]
Hint: EKS needs Kubernetes skills; complexity causes issues [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking ECS can't run containers
  • Believing EKS disallows orchestration
  • Confusing ECS with serverless only
5. Your project requires running containers with advanced Kubernetes features like custom scheduling and network policies, but your team has limited Kubernetes experience. What is the best approach?
hard
A. Use Amazon ECS for simplicity and skip advanced Kubernetes features
B. Use Amazon EKS and invest in Kubernetes training for your team
C. Use AWS Lambda to run containers without orchestration
D. Use Amazon EC2 instances manually without container orchestration

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify feature needs

    Advanced Kubernetes features require Kubernetes orchestration, which only EKS provides.

  2. Step 2: Consider team skills and project needs

    Since the team lacks Kubernetes experience, investing in training is needed to use EKS effectively.

  3. Step 3: Evaluate alternatives

    ECS is simpler but lacks advanced Kubernetes features; Lambda and EC2 do not provide needed orchestration.

  4. Final Answer:

    Use Amazon EKS and invest in Kubernetes training for your team -> Option B

  5. Quick Check:

    Advanced Kubernetes features = EKS + training [OK]
Hint: Advanced Kubernetes needs EKS plus team training [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Choosing ECS despite missing features
  • Using Lambda or EC2 without orchestration
  • Ignoring team skill development
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