AWS Container Services

Overview

AWS offers two primary container services: Elastic Container Service (ECS) and Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS). Both are managed, highly-available container platforms with distinct characteristics and use cases.

Service Comparison

Elastic Container Service (ECS)

• AWS-native container orchestration platform

• Built specifically for Docker container support

• Simpler learning curve

• Integrated with familiar AWS services

• More straightforward implementation

Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS)

• Pure Kubernetes implementation

• Extensive feature set

• Complex but powerful

• Built-in platform capabilities

• Steeper learning curve

• Note: Often abbreviated as K8s ("kates")

Platform Characteristics

Architecture Integration

ECS

• Leverages standard AWS services

• Uses Route 53 for DNS

• Integrates with AWS load balancers

• Native CloudWatch monitoring

EKS

• Self-contained Kubernetes architecture

• Built-in platform features

• Internal handling of core services

• Full Kubernetes ecosystem support

Container Organization

ECS Terminology

• Tasks: Collections of containers

• Services: Groups of related tasks

• Task Definitions: Container specifications

EKS Terminology

• Pods: Basic execution unit

• Shared resource environment

• Enhanced inter-container communication

• Native Kubernetes concepts

Extensibility

ECS

• Limited to AWS feature set

• AWS-specific implementations

• Predictable integration patterns

EKS

• Full Kubernetes add-on support

• Extensive plugin ecosystem

• Compatible with existing Kubernetes deployments

ECS Launch Types

EC2 Launch Type

Characteristics

• Manual control over infrastructure

• Custom fleet management

• Direct instance access

• Full control over optimization

Management Responsibilities

• EC2 fleet maintenance

• Capacity planning

• Resource optimization

• Infrastructure scaling

• Operating system updates

Fargate Launch Type

Characteristics

• Fully automated infrastructure

• Serverless container deployment

• Automated resource provisioning

• Built-in scaling capabilities

Management Benefits

• Automated capacity management

• Dynamic resource scaling

• Simplified operations

• Reduced maintenance overhead

Decision Factors

Choose ECS When

• AWS-native integration is priority

• Simpler container orchestration needed

• Team is new to containers

• Tight integration with AWS services required

Choose EKS When

• Existing Kubernetes expertise

• Complex orchestration requirements

• Need for extensive customization

• Migration from existing Kubernetes deployment

Choose EC2 Launch Type When

• Granular infrastructure control needed

• Custom instance configurations required

• Specific hardware requirements exist

• Cost optimization is critical

Choose Fargate When

• Minimal infrastructure management desired

• Automated scaling is priority

• Simplified operations preferred

• Willing to trade control for convenience

Best Practices

Implementation

• Start with simpler solutions

• Consider team expertise

• Plan for scaling requirements

• Evaluate operational overhead

Resource Management

• Monitor resource utilization

• Implement proper tagging

• Plan capacity carefully

• Regular optimization reviews

Security

• Implement least privilege access

• Regular security updates

• Network isolation

• Container image scanning

Cost Management

• Regular cost analysis

• Resource optimization

• Appropriate launch type selection

• Scaling policy optimization