Fargate vs EC2 launch type in AWS - Visual Side-by-Side Comparison

Process Flow - Fargate vs EC2 launch type

Choose Launch Type

↓

EC2 Launch Type

↓

User Manages EC2 Instances

↓

Deploy Containers on EC2

↓

Fargate Launch Type

↓

AWS Manages Infrastructure

↓

Deploy Containers Serverless

You start by choosing a launch type. EC2 means you manage servers. Fargate means AWS manages servers for you.

Execution Sample

AWS

LaunchType = 'FARGATE'
if LaunchType == 'EC2':
  # Manage EC2 instances
else:
  # AWS manages infrastructure
# Deploy containers

This code chooses between EC2 and Fargate launch types and shows who manages the servers.

Process Table

Step	LaunchType	Condition	Action	Result
1	FARGATE	LaunchType == 'EC2'?	Check condition	False
2	FARGATE	Else branch	AWS manages infrastructure	Serverless deployment
3	FARGATE	Deploy containers	Containers run without managing servers	Containers running on Fargate
4	EC2	LaunchType == 'EC2'?	Check condition	True
5	EC2	If branch	User manages EC2 instances	User responsible for servers
6	EC2	Deploy containers	Containers run on EC2 instances	Containers running on EC2
7	Any	End	No more steps	Process complete

💡 Execution stops after containers are deployed on chosen launch type.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	Final
LaunchType	FARGATE or EC2	Checked condition	Branch chosen	Containers deployed	Final state

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does the code check if LaunchType == 'EC2' first?

Because the code needs to decide who manages the servers. If true, user manages EC2 instances (see step 4 and 5). Otherwise, AWS manages infrastructure (step 1 and 2).

What happens if LaunchType is 'FARGATE'?

The code skips EC2 management and lets AWS handle infrastructure, deploying containers serverless (see steps 1, 2, and 3).

Who is responsible for managing servers in each launch type?

In EC2 launch type, the user manages servers (step 5). In Fargate launch type, AWS manages servers (step 2).

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the action at step 2 when LaunchType is 'FARGATE'?

A AWS manages infrastructure

B User manages EC2 instances

C Containers run on EC2 instances

D Condition is true

💡 Hint

Check the 'Action' column at step 2 for LaunchType 'FARGATE'.

At which step does the code confirm that the user manages EC2 instances?

A Step 2

B Step 3

C Step 5

D Step 1

💡 Hint

Look for the action 'User manages EC2 instances' in the execution table.

If LaunchType changes from 'FARGATE' to 'EC2', how does the deployment action change?

A Containers run serverless

B User manages EC2 instances and deploys containers on EC2

C AWS manages infrastructure

D No change in deployment

💡 Hint

Compare steps 2-3 (FARGATE) with steps 5-6 (EC2) in the execution table.

Concept Snapshot

Fargate vs EC2 Launch Type:
- EC2: You manage servers (EC2 instances).
- Fargate: AWS manages servers (serverless).
- Choose launch type when deploying containers.
- EC2 requires managing capacity and scaling.
- Fargate simplifies deployment with no server management.

Full Transcript

This visual execution compares AWS ECS launch types: Fargate and EC2. The flow starts by choosing the launch type. If EC2 is chosen, the user manages the EC2 instances and deploys containers on them. If Fargate is chosen, AWS manages the infrastructure, and containers run serverless. The execution table shows step-by-step decisions and actions for both launch types. Variables track the launch type and deployment state. Key moments clarify who manages servers and how deployment differs. The quiz tests understanding of steps and outcomes. The snapshot summarizes the main differences and responsibilities for each launch type.

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