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**Elastic Compute Cloud**, or `EC2`, is the central part of Amazon Cloud Services; a cloud computing platform that allows users to rent *virtual servers* on which they can run their own applications.

Traditionally, to set up a server for your company, you would be responsible for:
- Cost of the server
- Configuration of the server
- Distribution of traffic
- Allocation of resources
- Privacy and security

When you use EC2, Amazon provides you with its service based on the "cloud computing model". You can borrow a chunk of your desired size from their data centers on a **"pay as you go"** basis.

# Key Benefits:
- You don't have to go through the hassle of managing your server(s).
- You can shrink and expand the capacity of your instance whenever you want.
- You can commit as many EC2 instances as you require!
- Amazon provides you with flexible cloud hosting services like choosing the OS, memory and CPU configuration.
- Extremely reliable and secure.


What is Amazon EC2?

When you use EC2, Amazon provides you with its service based on the “cloud computing model”. You can borrow a chunk of your desired size from their data centers on a “pay as you go” basis. 