What is ebs?

EBS stands for Elastic Block Store, a service from Amazon Web Services that gives you virtual hard drives you can attach to cloud computers (EC2 instances). It works like a regular hard drive, storing data even when the computer is turned off.

Let's break it down

  • Elastic: can grow or shrink in size whenever you need, like an adjustable storage box.
  • Block Store: stores data in fixed-size pieces called blocks, similar to how a traditional hard drive works.
  • Virtual hard drives: software-based disks that behave like physical ones but exist in the cloud.
  • Attach to EC2 instances: you connect these virtual disks to Amazon’s virtual servers so they can read/write data.
  • Persist after shutdown: the data stays safe even if the server is stopped, unlike temporary memory.

Why does it matter?

EBS lets you keep important files, databases, and applications safe and accessible in the cloud without managing physical hardware. It gives you flexibility to scale storage up or down and ensures your data survives server restarts, which is crucial for reliability and cost control.

Where is it used?

  • Hosting databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) that need fast, reliable disk access.
  • Storing files for web applications, such as user uploads or media assets.
  • Running enterprise applications that require persistent storage, like ERP or CRM systems.
  • Creating backup snapshots for disaster recovery and compliance.

Good things about it

  • Scalable: you can change size or performance type without downtime.
  • Durable: data is replicated across multiple physical devices, reducing loss risk.
  • Fast I/O options: offers different performance tiers (SSD, HDD) to match workload needs.
  • Snapshot capability: easy point-in-time backups that can be stored cheaply.
  • Integrated with AWS: works seamlessly with other AWS services (EC2, RDS, Lambda).

Not-so-good things

  • Cost can add up: paying for storage, I/O, and snapshots may become expensive at scale.
  • Latency compared to local disks: network-based access is slower than on-premises SSDs for ultra-low-latency needs.
  • Complexity of choosing right type: many performance tiers can be confusing for beginners.
  • Region-specific: data is stored in a specific AWS region, so moving it across regions incurs extra steps and cost.