Servers - EC2 Instances
What are EC2 Instances?
EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) instances are virtual servers in the cloud provided by AWS (Amazon Web Services). In simple terms, they are used in Brender Studio to execute render jobs. These instances automatically scale through AWS Batch, adjusting the number of resources based on the workload demand.
For more information on EC2 instances, refer to official AWS documentation on EC2 Instances Types.
Note
For more information on render jobs and AWS Batch, refer to the guide at Jobs.
Types of EC2 Instances
CPU Instances
In Brender Studio, optimal CPU classes are used, including series A, C, D, H, I, M, R, T, and Z. Each of these series is designed for different types of workloads and offers various combinations of processing power and memory.
GPU Instances
For tasks requiring higher graphical capabilities, such as advanced rendering, Brender Studio utilizes the G5 and G6 series. The G5 series is based on Nvidia A10G, while the G6 series uses Nvidia L4. These instances are ideal for graphically intensive tasks.
For more information on GPU instances, refer to official AWS website on G5 Series and G6 Series.
Important
EC2 Instance Types: Spot vs On Demand
Spot and On-Demand instances are two types of EC2 instances offered by AWS. Brender Studio Farms suports both types. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for different use cases.
Spot Instances
- Pros: More cost-effective, ideal for flexible and non-critical jobs.
- Cons: Can be interrupted by AWS with short notice, no guaranteed continuous availability.
On Demand Instances
- Pros: Guaranteed availability, suitable for critical jobs with defined deadlines.
- Cons: More expensive compared to Spot instances.
For more information on Spot and On-Demand instances, refer to official AWS documentation on Spot Instances and On-Demand Instances.
Important
What is Auto Scaling?
Auto scaling is a feature that automatically adjusts the number of EC2 instances based on the workload demand. This ensures that there are always enough resources to handle the load, optimizing costs and efficiency.
For a more detailed explanation, refer to the guide at Monitoring Render Logs or the official AWS documentation on Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling.
How to Calculate EC2 Pricing
The cost of an EC2 instance is determined by several factors, including the server's capabilities, the region where it is located, and the billing method.
- Server Capabilities: Different types of servers have different prices based on their processing power, memory, and storage capabilities. Choosing the appropriate instance type is crucial for cost optimization.
- Region: EC2 prices vary by AWS region. Some regions may be more expensive due to demand and other factors.
- Billing Method: EC2 instances can be billed per second, with a minimum of 60 seconds, or per hour, depending on the instance type and pricing model (On-Demand, Reserved, or Spot Instances).
Checking Estimated Prices in Brender Studio
To view the estimated price of an EC2 instance while it is running in Brender Studio, go to the Servers (EC2) section and click on the Pricing button within the cell of the table.
This will redirect you to instances.vantage.sh with the exact EC2 information, where you can check detailed characteristics and prices.
