Fargate vs EC2 launch type in AWS - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is AWS Fargate launch type?

AWS Fargate is a serverless compute engine for containers that lets you run containers without managing servers or clusters. You only pay for the resources your containers use.

beginner

What is the EC2 launch type in AWS ECS?

The EC2 launch type lets you run containers on a cluster of Amazon EC2 instances that you manage. You are responsible for provisioning and managing the servers.

beginner

Which launch type requires you to manage the underlying servers: Fargate or EC2?

The EC2 launch type requires you to manage the underlying servers, while Fargate handles the server management for you.

intermediate

What is a key cost difference between Fargate and EC2 launch types?

With Fargate, you pay only for the CPU and memory your containers use. With EC2, you pay for the EC2 instances regardless of container usage, which can be cheaper at scale but requires management.

intermediate

When might you choose EC2 launch type over Fargate?

You might choose EC2 if you want more control over the infrastructure, need custom AMIs, or want to optimize costs by managing instance types and scaling yourself.

Which AWS launch type lets you run containers without managing servers?

A Fargate

B EC2

C Lambda

D Elastic Beanstalk

Fargate is the serverless launch type that manages servers for you.

In the EC2 launch type, who is responsible for managing the servers?

A AWS manages servers

B You manage servers

C No servers are involved

D AWS and you share management

With EC2 launch type, you manage the underlying EC2 instances.

Which launch type typically requires more operational effort?

A Neither

B Fargate

C Both equal

D EC2

EC2 requires managing instances, patching, scaling, and capacity planning.

Which launch type charges you based on container resource usage only?

A Both

B EC2

C Fargate

D Neither

Fargate charges based on CPU and memory used by containers.

If you need custom AMIs or specific instance types, which launch type should you choose?

A EC2

B Fargate

C Lambda

D App Runner

EC2 launch type lets you customize instances with your own AMIs and types.

Explain the main differences between AWS Fargate and EC2 launch types.

Think about who manages the servers and how you pay.

Describe scenarios where choosing EC2 launch type is better than Fargate.

Consider when managing servers yourself is beneficial.

Practice

1. What is the main difference between AWS Fargate and EC2 launch types for running containers?

easy

A. Fargate runs containers without managing servers, EC2 requires managing servers.

B. Fargate requires managing servers, EC2 runs containers without servers.

C. Both require managing servers but use different operating systems.

D. Both run containers without any server management.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Fargate's server management

   Fargate abstracts server management, so you don't handle servers directly.

2. Step 2: Understand EC2 launch type server management

   EC2 launch type requires you to manage the servers where containers run.

3. Final Answer:

   Fargate runs containers without managing servers, EC2 requires managing servers. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Server management difference = D [OK]

Hint: Fargate = no servers to manage, EC2 = you manage servers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing which launch type manages servers
• Thinking both require server management
• Assuming Fargate needs server setup

2. Which of the following is the correct way to specify the launch type as Fargate in an ECS service JSON?

easy

A. "launchType": "EC2"

B. "launchType": "FARGATE"

C. "launchType": "Serverless"

D. "launchType": "Container"

Solution

1. Step 1: Check valid launch type values in ECS

   ECS supports "EC2" and "FARGATE" as launch type values in uppercase.

2. Step 2: Identify correct Fargate syntax

   The correct string for Fargate is "FARGATE" in uppercase letters.

3. Final Answer:

   "launchType": "FARGATE" -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Fargate launch type syntax = A [OK]

Hint: Use uppercase "FARGATE" for launchType in ECS JSON [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using lowercase "fargate" instead of uppercase
• Using invalid launch type names like "Serverless"
• Confusing EC2 and Fargate strings

3. Given this ECS service configuration snippet, what launch type will it use?

{
  "launchType": "EC2",
  "taskDefinition": "my-task-def"
}

medium

A. It will run containers on EC2 instances you manage.

B. It will run containers on AWS Fargate without server management.

C. It will fail because "EC2" is not a valid launch type.

D. It will run containers on Lambda functions.

Solution

1. Step 1: Read the launchType value

   The launchType is set to "EC2" which means containers run on EC2 instances.

2. Step 2: Understand EC2 launch type behavior

   EC2 launch type requires you to manage the servers where containers run.

3. Final Answer:

   It will run containers on EC2 instances you manage. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   launchType "EC2" means managed servers = A [OK]

Hint: launchType "EC2" means you manage servers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking "EC2" means serverless
• Assuming "EC2" is invalid syntax
• Confusing EC2 with Lambda

4. You tried to deploy an ECS task with this launch type: "launchType": "fargate" but got an error. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. Fargate launch type is not supported in ECS.

B. The launch type should be a boolean, not a string.

C. You must specify the launch type as "EC2" for tasks.

D. The launch type value is case-sensitive and must be uppercase "FARGATE".

Solution

1. Step 1: Check launch type case sensitivity

   ECS launch type values are case-sensitive and require uppercase strings like "FARGATE".

2. Step 2: Identify error cause

   Using lowercase "fargate" causes a validation error because it's invalid syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   The launch type value is case-sensitive and must be uppercase "FARGATE". -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Case-sensitive launchType = B [OK]

Hint: Use uppercase "FARGATE" to avoid launch type errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using lowercase launch type values
• Thinking Fargate is unsupported
• Confusing data types for launchType

5. You want to run a containerized app with minimal server management and automatic scaling. Which launch type should you choose and why?

hard

A. EC2 launch type, because it gives full control over servers and scaling.

B. EC2 launch type, because it is cheaper and requires no scaling setup.

C. Fargate launch type, because it removes server management and handles scaling automatically.

D. Fargate launch type, because it requires manual server setup but better performance.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify launch type for minimal server management

   Fargate removes the need to manage servers, unlike EC2 which requires server control.

2. Step 2: Consider automatic scaling capabilities

   Fargate automatically scales containers based on demand without manual server scaling.

3. Final Answer:

   Fargate launch type, because it removes server management and handles scaling automatically. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Minimal management + auto scaling = Fargate = C [OK]

Hint: Choose Fargate for no servers and auto scaling [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing EC2 for minimal management
• Assuming EC2 auto scales automatically
• Thinking Fargate needs manual server setup