Which EC2 instance family is optimized for memory-heavy workloads such as in-memory databases, real-time big data analytics, and high-performance caching?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
The R-family carries a memory-to-vCPU ratio geared for datasets that live in RAM — Redis or Memcached caches, in-database engines, and real-time unstructured stream processing all fit this profile. The letters themselves mark the specialization: R is for memory (RAM), and each family's ratio is tuned for its named workload class.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The C-family delivers more compute per dollar for CPU-bound work like batch processing and scientific modeling — not more memory.
- C. The T-family is the balanced general-purpose choice, providing a mix of compute, memory, and networking without RAM concentration.
- D. The P-family uses GPUs for accelerated computing in machine learning and graphics, an acceleration specialization unrelated to RAM capacity.