Posted On: Oct 24, 2024

Amazon EC2 now allows customers to use the Optimize CPUs feature after the instance launch without needing to redeploy a new instance. You can now stop an instance, modify the number of vCPUs and/or disable the Hyper-Threading, and then start the instance to save on vCPU-based licensing costs. You can also use the Optimize CPUs feature when changing the instance type to retain the CPU configurations. This feature saves time and reduces operational complexity for you to modify vCPUs based on your business needs.

Database workloads such as Microsoft SQL Server require high memory and high IOPS but a low vCPU count. Bring-Your-Own-license (BYOL) customers can use the Optimize CPUs feature to specify a custom number of vCPUs when launching new instances to optimize their vCPU-based licensing costs. This new feature provides greater flexibility to use the Optimize CPUs feature by allowing you to add or remove vCPUs after the instance is launched. In addition, Amazon EC2 adds a new API that allows you to automate the CPU modification.

This feature is available in Amazon Web Services China (Beijing) Region, operated by Sinnet, and Amazon Web Services China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD.

To get started, see CPU options in the Amazon EC2 User Guide. To learn more about the new API, visit the Amazon EC2 API Reference.