Separate login access from tenancy
Your ability to log in and the hardware tenancy answer different questions. Shared infrastructure still has isolation and access controls. I would first document the actual licensing or compliance requirement instead of choosing dedicated infrastructure simply because data is important.
Compare the level of control
Dedicated Hosts provide host-level visibility and control that differs from Dedicated Instances. A software licence may have specific core, socket or virtualisation conditions. Read those terms and the service documentation before assuming an option meets the requirement.
Include operating cost
Dedicated options can change cost, capacity planning and management work. Check instance support, recovery arrangements and the workload’s real needs. In a beginner lab, learn the distinction without allocating specialist infrastructure unless the exercise requires it.
Try it yourself
List the questions needed for software licensed by physical cores: host visibility, permitted deployment, capacity and recovery.
A common question
Are Dedicated Hosts and Dedicated Instances identical?
No. They differ in host-level control, visibility and licensing use cases.
References & video notes
Use the video to follow the topic with me. Console screens and older offers can change, so check the current AWS documentation before performing a lab.
Keep learning
- What is Amazon EC2? A beginner’s guide
- What is an AMI? Understanding EC2 machine images
- Plan and launch your first EC2 instance