If you’re stepping into cloud computing interviews or just brushing up your AWS know-how, understanding the battle of AWS EC2 vs Lambda is a must. They’re both powerful services from Amazon Web Services—but with wildly different use cases. Let’s dig into what sets them apart and prep you with some top-tier interview questions.
Key Differences Between AWS EC2 and Lambda
Here’s a no-fluff comparison that will clear things up:
| Feature | EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) | Lambda |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Virtual server-based | Serverless |
| Control | Full control over OS and software | No server management required |
| Best for | Long-running, complex apps | Short-lived, event-driven functions |
| Billing | Based on usage time (hour/second) | Based on invocations and execution time |
| Scaling | Manual or auto via Auto Scaling | Fully automatic, scales instantly |
| Security | User handles OS/app/network | AWS handles infrastructure-level security |
When Should You Choose EC2?
Go with EC2 when you:
-
Need persistent compute power
-
Want full OS-level control
-
Run complex dependencies or custom stacks
-
Require applications with long-running processes
When Lambda is a Better Fit
Pick Lambda if you:
-
Build event-driven apps (e.g., image uploads, API calls)
-
Need auto-scaling without manual intervention
-
Have sporadic workloads
-
Want to save costs on short jobs
Top AWS EC2 vs Lambda Interview Questions
Let’s get you interview-ready!
1. What’s the difference between EC2 and Lambda?
Answer:
EC2 gives you virtual machines with OS-level control. Lambda is serverless—just upload code, and AWS runs it when triggered. EC2 is ideal for heavy lifting; Lambda for lightweight, reactive tasks.
2. When would you choose EC2 over Lambda?
Answer:
Use EC2 for apps needing persistent connections, complex setups, or long-term runtime. Use Lambda for lightweight, short-lived operations with fluctuating traffic.
3. How do EC2 and Lambda handle scaling?
Answer:
EC2 uses Auto Scaling Groups you configure. Lambda scales automatically behind the scenes with no setup needed.
4. Explain the pricing model differences.
Answer:
EC2: Pay for the instance uptime, whether it’s busy or idle.
Lambda: Pay per request and compute time only—super cost-efficient.
5. How does security differ?
Answer:
EC2: You secure OS, app, and network layers.
Lambda: AWS secures infrastructure; you focus on securing your code and input/output data.
FAQs
Q: Can EC2 and Lambda be used together?
Absolutely! Many architectures combine EC2’s power with Lambda’s flexibility.
Q: Is Lambda always cheaper than EC2?
Not always. For long-running workloads, EC2 may be more cost-effective.
Q: Can I SSH into Lambda like EC2?
Nope. Lambda doesn’t expose a host environment. EC2 gives full SSH access.
Final Thoughts
Understanding AWS EC2 vs Lambda is vital for anyone navigating AWS interviews or deploying real-world cloud applications. EC2 shines with control and persistence; Lambda wins on simplicity and scaling. With these differences clear and key questions practiced, you’ll crush that next AWS interview!
Want to Learn More?
Consult Us Form: Click Here
Contact Us : WhatsApp
Register now for a FREE consultation to take your career to the next level
For Mail: Click Here | For More Info : Click Here