Episode 84: EBS vs. Instance Store

In this episode, we compare Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Store) and Instance Store, two types of storage options available for EC2 instances. EBS provides persistent block-level storage that is independent of your EC2 instance. It retains data even if the instance is stopped or terminated, making it ideal for storing important data such as databases, log files, and application data. We’ll walk you through the different EBS volume types, including General Purpose SSD (gp3), Provisioned IOPS SSD (io2), and Magnetic volumes, and explain which one is best suited for your workloads.

In contrast, Instance Store provides temporary storage that is physically attached to the host machine and is deleted when the instance is stopped or terminated. While it offers high-speed performance, it is unsuitable for storing data that needs to persist beyond the lifecycle of the instance. We’ll discuss use cases for both EBS and Instance Store, and provide guidance on how to select the right storage option based on your application’s requirements. By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to choose between EBS and Instance Store for your EC2 instances, depending on the persistence and performance needs of your workload. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, your trusted resource for expert-driven cybersecurity education.