Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's leading provider of cloud computing and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). As a subsidiary of Amazon, AWS has established the technical standards and service models for modern cloud computing since its official launch in 2006.
The company provides comprehensive server-related services, covering full-scenario solutions including elastic cloud servers, bare-metal servers, hybrid cloud deployments, and edge computing. Its client base spans individual developers, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, and government agencies, with operations reaching over 190 countries and regions worldwide.
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Basics
- Service Provider Name: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- English Name: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Established: 2006 (launched commercial services)
- Headquarters Address: Seattle, Washington, USA
- Official website address:https://aws.amazon.com/
- Server Types: Elastic Cloud Server (EC2), Bare Metal Server (EC2 Bare Metal), Hybrid Cloud Server (Outposts), Edge Server (Local Zones/Wavelength), Lightweight Application Server (Lightsail)
- Coverage Areas: North America (United States, Canada, Mexico) Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Ireland, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Singapore, Japan, India, Hong Kong, China, etc.) Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia) South America (Brazil, Chile) Africa (South Africa)
- Primary user types: Individual developers, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large enterprises, government agencies, cloud service providers
- Reference Pricing: Lightsail (Lightweight Application Server) starts at $3.50/month; EC2 Cloud Server (t2.micro) offers a free tier for 12 months, then approximately $8.50/month thereafter; Bare Metal Server (m5.metal) starts at approximately $130/month.
- Trial Availability: Offers a 12-month free tier (including core services such as EC2 t2.micro and S3), with short-term trial quotas available for select advanced instance types.
2. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Product Types and Plans
| Product Type | Package/Instance Category | Typical Configuration Example | Estimated Monthly Price (USD) | IP and Network Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight Cloud Server (Lightsail) | Entry-level (VPS) | 1 virtual CPU, 2GB RAM, 60GB SSD | Starting at $12.00 | Includes 1 static IPv4 address; 3TB monthly data allowance |
| Performance-Oriented (VPS) | 4 virtual CPUs, 16GB RAM, 320GB SSD | Starting at $$84.00 | Includes 1 static IPv4 address; 6TB monthly data allowance | |
| Elastic Compute Service (EC2) | General Purpose (t3.medium) | 2 virtual CPUs, 4GB RAM (bursty mode) | Starting at ~$30.40 | Public IPv4 addresses incur additional charges. ($0.005/hour, approximately $3.6/month) |
| Compute-optimized (c5.large) | 2 virtual CPUs, 4GB RAM (dedicated) | Starting at ~$62.00 | Supports private/public IPs; 100GB of free outbound traffic per month | |
| Bare Metal Instances (EC2 Metal) | Enterprise-grade dedicated | m6i.metal: 128 virtual CPUs, 512GB memory | Starting at ~$3,000+ | 10-50Gbps bandwidth; Full control over physical hardware |
| Relational Database Service (RDS) | Basic Managed Database | db.t3.micro: 2 virtual CPUs, 1GB memory | Starting at ~$12.00 | Includes 20GB SSD storage and automatic backups |
| Object Storage (S3) | Standard Storage | Per GB of data storage per month | $0.023 per GB | Data read and write requests are subject to additional per-request charges. |
| Cold Storage (Glacier) | Per GB of data storage per month | $0.00099 per GB | For long-term archiving, retrieving data incurs additional fees. |
3. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Core Capabilities and Architectural Features
Global distributed infrastructure coverage capability
At the network layer, it boasts the world's largest number of Regions and Availability Zones (AZs), enabling low-latency cross-region connectivity through its backbone network to support global business deployment and disaster recovery.
Elastic computing resource scheduling capability
At the compute layer, EC2 instances support launch times measured in seconds and elastic scaling up or down. Combined with Auto Scaling, they can automatically adjust resources based on load to accommodate fluctuating business demands.
Hybrid Cloud and Edge Computing Integration Capabilities
At the architectural layer, seamless integration between cloud, on-premises, and edge environments is achieved through Outposts (on-premises deployment), Local Zones (edge regions), and Wavelength (5G edge).
Full-Stack Automation and API Ecosystem Capabilities
At the management layer, it provides a comprehensive REST API, CLI tools, and CloudFormation templates to support infrastructure as code (IaC), enabling full lifecycle automation management.
High-availability storage and security architecture support
At the storage and security layer, EBS storage supports multi-replica backups, while S3 provides 99.9999999991% (11 nines) data durability. Combined with IAM, Security Groups, and other features, this enables granular security controls.
4. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Data Center Locations / Billing Currency
- Coverage Areas: North America (Virginia, Oregon, California, etc. in the U.S.; Montreal in Canada; Mexico City), Europe (Ireland, London, Frankfurt, Paris, etc.), Asia-Pacific (Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Mumbai, Hong Kong, China, etc.), Middle East (Dubai, Riyadh), South America (São Paulo, Santiago), Africa (Johannesburg)
Distribution Characteristics: The most globally distributed cloud computing infrastructure, with each region comprising multiple independent Availability Zones (AZs). Redundant design ensures high service availability, covering all major economic regions.
Supported billing currencies: US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), British Pound (GBP), Japanese Yen (JPY), Chinese Yuan (CNY, China region), Indian Rupee (INR), and over 20 other global currencies.
5. How to Deploy Servers Using Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Visit the AWS website (https://aws.amazon.com/), click “Create an AWS Account” to register, complete email verification, submit identity information, and link a payment method to activate your account.
- Log in to the AWS Management Console (https://console.aws.amazon.com/), then select “EC2” (or other server products like Lightsail or Outposts) from the list of services.
- Select the target region (e.g., Asia Pacific (Singapore) ap-southeast-1), click “Launch Instance,” and configure parameters such as instance type, operating system, storage, security group (firewall rules), etc.
- Select a billing model (On-Demand/Reserved Instance/Spot Instance), confirm the configuration, then click “Launch.” Download the key pair (used to log in to the server).
- After the instance launches, obtain the public IP address from the EC2 console. Log in to the server via SSH (Linux) or Remote Desktop (Windows) to configure the basic runtime environment.
- For automated management, refer to the AWS official documentation.https://docs.aws.amazon.com/ec2/Learn API usage, CloudFormation template writing, or Terraform integration.
6. Common Application Scenarios for Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Global Distributed Deployment of Large-Scale Internet Applications and High-Concurrency Web Services
- Big Data Processing and Analysis (Incorporating Services such as EMR and Redshift)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Model Training and Inference (with SageMaker)
- Enterprise-Grade Hybrid Cloud Architecture Deployment (Integrating On-Premises Data Centers with AWS Cloud)
- Global Deployment of Game Server Nodes and Low-Latency Online Support
- IoT Device Data Acquisition, Storage, and Edge Computing Processing
- Establishing Compliance IT Systems for Government and Financial Institutions
7. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS suitable for individual developers or startups?
Suitable for initial development and testing needs, the free plan meets basic requirements. Lightsail simplifies deployment processes, and its pay-as-you-go model reduces startup costs.
What server-related services are included in AWS's free tier?
Includes a short-term trial credit for EC2 t2.micro instances (12 months free), EBS storage (30GB), Elastic IP (1), and products like Lightsail.
Does it support pay-as-you-go billing and elastic resource scaling?
Supported core products like EC2 default to on-demand pricing. Auto Scaling automatically adjusts instance counts, while manual scaling up or down is also possible without downtime.
How to manage AWS server resources via API?
AWS provides REST APIs, AWS CLI, and SDKs (supporting Python, Java, Go, and other languages) to enable full lifecycle management of instances, including creation, launch, stop, and deletion.
Do AWS data centers meet global compliance standards?
Compliant with hundreds of global compliance certifications including GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS, while adapting to local data protection regulations across different regions.
How can I get support when encountering technical issues?
Multiple support tiers are available. Free users can troubleshoot issues independently through forums and documentation. Paid users may select Basic, Developer, Business, or Enterprise-level support to receive 24/7 professional assistance.
Editor's Note
AWS leverages its robust service ecosystem, globally leading infrastructure scale, and technological maturity as core strengths. Its pricing structure varies significantly based on instance type, billing model, and region, catering to diverse scenarios from individual developers to large enterprises. While its learning curve is relatively steep, new users can start with Lightsail or free tiers to gradually familiarize themselves with core services.
