关于AWS EC2实例类型名称中数字及T字母含义的技术问询

Hey there! Let me walk you through what those characters in EC2 instance types mean—this is a common question I’ve helped folks with plenty of times:

• The letter T: This stands for Burstable Performance. T-series instances are built for workloads that don’t need constant high CPU usage, but do need occasional "bursts" of power (think small web apps, development environments, or low-traffic databases). They come with a baseline CPU performance level, and earn "CPU credits" during low-usage periods that you can cash in for extra processing power when you need it.

• Numbers 1 and 2: These are generation indicators. A higher number means a newer generation of the instance type, with better underlying hardware, more efficient processors, and often improved performance or flexibility. For example:

  • T1 was the first-generation burstable instance, while T2 is its successor—T2 introduced a more flexible credit system and better overall hardware support compared to T1.
  • Same logic applies to C1 vs C2 (CPU-optimized) and M1 vs M2 (memory-optimized): each higher number marks a refresh with better tech under the hood.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Lindsey