What You Need to Know About Data on Ephemeral Store Volumes

What happens to the data on ephemeral store volumes when an EC2 EBS-backed instance is stopped?

• A. Data is automatically saved in an EBS volume.
• B. Data is unavailable until the instance is restarted.
• C. Data will be deleted and will no longer be accessible.
• D. Data is automatically saved as an EBS snapshot.

Answer: (C)

When an EC2 EBS-backed instance is stopped, the ephemeral store volumes associated with that instance will have their data deleted and will no longer be accessible. Ephemeral store volumes, also known as instance store volumes, are temporary storage that exists only for the lifecycle of an instance. When the instance is terminated or stopped, all data stored on these ephemeral volumes is lost, similar to how data on a local hard drive would be wiped by shutting down a computer. This behavior is specifically designed for ephemeral storage, as it provides high I/O performance, but is unsuitable for long-term persistence of data. In contrast, Elastic Block Store (EBS) volumes, which are separate and persistent storage options, are designed to retain data regardless of the instance state. Therefore, any data saved on EBS volumes would remain accessible after stopping the instance, while ephemeral data does not have that advantage. Understanding this distinction is crucial when architecting solutions on AWS where data persistence is needed; it highlights the importance of using EBS volumes for critical data versus choosing ephemeral storage for temporary or transient workloads.

When it comes to managing data on AWS, especially for those diving into solutions architecture, understanding the behavior of ephemeral store volumes is essential. So let’s chat about what happens when you stop an EC2 EBS-backed instance.

First off, you might want to familiarize yourself with ephemeral store volumes. Think of them as temporary storage—like a chalkboard that you can write on for a quick note, only to wipe everything off when you’re done. When you stop your instance, all data stored on these ephemeral volumes is deleted. Yup, you heard that right! It’s gone for good.

You see, stopping an EC2 EBS-backed instance leads to the erasure of any information held on these transient storage solutions. Why? Because ephemeral storage is designed for short-term, high-performance input/output (I/O). You would typically rely on this type of storage for tasks that don't require permanent retention of data—not for your grandma’s secret cookie recipe, that’s for sure!

Here’s a quick analogy: imagine saving a draft version of an important document on a shared Google Drive. If you suddenly shut down your laptop and forgot to save that draft locally, what would happen when you power up again? That's right—your unsaved work is lost. In this scenario, the ephemeral volume works similarly. Data can be real-time, but once stopped, it’s as if you hit the delete button.

Contrast this with Elastic Block Store (EBS) volumes—now, these are the unsung heroes for long-term storage! They act as persistent storage options, reliably retaining your data even if you stop your instance. This means any info you save on EBS volumes remains accessible after making such changes, ensuring you don’t lose what matters.

So, when you’re architecting your next AWS solution—with cloud storage becoming an integral part of operations—keep this distinction in mind. The lesson here is clear: for critical data that needs to stick around, always lean on EBS volumes. Reserve those ephemeral stores for temporary workloads where loss isn't a big deal.

Understanding the intricacies of AWS storage solutions elevates your cloud game, helping you make informed decisions about data management. And who knows? This knowledge may even reduce some of that pre-exam anxiety when tackling AWS Solutions Architect Associate questions!

In conclusion, while ephemeral storage provides superb performance, it’s crucial to remember that when the instance stops, so does the memory. The takeaway? Choose your storage wisely. Happy cloud computing!