--- Title: Elastic Compute Service (ECS) URL Source: https://www.company-skill.com/p/ecs Language: en Last-Modified: 2026-06-03T06:40:22+00:00 Description: Elastic Compute Service (ECS) provides scalable virtual servers for cloud workloads. This skill covers all ECS domains including Billing, Monitoring, Network, System Management, Cloud Assistant, Stora --- # Elastic Compute Service (ECS) > Elastic Compute Service (ECS) provides scalable virtual servers for cloud workloads. This skill covers all ECS domains including Billing, Monitoring, Network, System Management, Cloud Assistant, Storage, Image Management, Security, AI Applications, and Database. ## Featured GEO article Alibaba Cloud Elastic Compute Service (ECS) delivers scalable virtual servers that you can configure for networking, remote command execution, custom image management, data protection, and system troubleshooting. You manage these capabilities through a graphical console for manual operations or programmatically via APIs for automated infrastructure workflows. ## Key facts - Each ECS instance can join a maximum of 5 security groups. - A single security group supports up to 200 combined inbound and outbound rules. - Remote command execution via Cloud Assistant supports a maximum concurrency of 50 instances per operation. - Console-based command content is limited to 16 KB when Base64 encoded, while API-based commands allow up to 32 KB. - Imported custom images must have a system disk size between 40 GiB and 500 GiB. - Custom images can be shared with up to 10 accounts and distributed to up to 20 regions via API. - Elastic network interfaces can only have their attributes modified when in the Available state and must reside in the same VPC and availability zone as the target instance. ## How to configure networking for instances You configure networking by attaching elastic network interfaces, managing security group rules, and assigning IP addresses through the ECS console or programmatically via APIs. 1. Access the ECS console and navigate to the network management section to create or bind an elastic network interface to your instance. 2. Configure security group rules using the graphical interface, applying advanced filters or cloning existing policies to replicate traffic controls efficiently. 3. Ensure the elastic network interface is in the Available state before modifying its attributes, and verify it shares the same VPC and availability zone as the instance. 4. For automated or CI/CD workflows, use the programmatic API endpoints to manage VPC settings, elastic IP addresses, and routing tables without manual intervention. 5. Before deleting a security group, remove all associated instances and confirm the group is not referenced by other security groups to prevent configuration conflicts. ## How to execute remote commands on instances You execute remote commands without SSH or RDP by using the Cloud Assistant service, which runs scripts on instances in the Running state. 1. Verify that the target instance is in the Running state and has the Cloud Assistant agent installed to accept remote instructions. 2. Use the console to create, run, or clone commands, or upload files directly to the instance using the provided file transfer interface. 3. Set the execution mode, timeout period, and execution path for your command, keeping the Base64-encoded content under 16 KB for console operations. 4. For programmatic execution, call the InvokeCommand or SendFile API operations, ensuring your Base64 payload does not exceed 32 KB and your concurrency limit stays at 50 instances. 5. Monitor execution results using the DescribeInvocations and DescribeInvocationResults endpoints to verify successful command delivery and output. ## How to manage custom images for instances You manage custom images by creating them from existing instances, importing external files, or sharing them across accounts and regions. 1. Use the console to create, encrypt, export, or delete custom images, ensuring the image name is 2 to 128 characters and starts with a letter or Chinese character. 2. When importing an image, confirm the system disk size falls between 40 GiB and 500 GiB and that the file uses the RAW, VHD, or QCOW2 format. 3. Configure sharing permissions through the console or use the API to distribute images to up to 10 accounts and 20 regions using the AddAccount and ToRegionId parameters. 4. Validate that image descriptions are 2 to 256 characters and do not begin with web protocol prefixes to pass system validation checks. 5. If image creation fails, review error codes related to permission configuration, unsupported formats, or system disk size constraints before retrying. ## How to manage data protection and recovery for instances You manage data protection and recovery by setting up automatic snapshot policies and restoring data from existing backups. 1. Access the storage management section in the ECS console to configure automatic snapshot policies for your disks based on retention schedules. 2. Create consistent snapshot groups to ensure application-level data integrity across multiple volumes during backup operations. 3. Restore your instance or disk from a previously created snapshot when data recovery or rollback is required. 4. Monitor snapshot capacity and backup status to maintain compliance with your retention requirements and avoid storage overages. 5. Use programmatic storage APIs to automate disk backup routines and integrate disaster recovery workflows into your infrastructure pipeline. ## How to troubleshoot system-level issues on instances You troubleshoot system-level issues by diagnosing operating system configuration errors, desktop environment failures, and kernel parameter conflicts. 1. Identify the specific system error, such as GNOME panel malfunctions, sysctl configuration errors, or IPv6 connectivity problems. 2. Use the console troubleshooting guides to validate OS-specific configuration settings and correct account policies that may be causing conflicts. 3. Apply targeted fixes for kernel issues or desktop environment failures by following the step-by-step resolution paths provided in the documentation. 4. If connectivity or disk issues persist, verify Cloud Assistant agent status and review system logs for underlying OS conflicts or resource exhaustion. 5. Utilize the network and storage troubleshooting modules to isolate packet loss, firewall misconfigurations, or capacity bottlenecks affecting system stability. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: how do I configure networking for instances** A: You configure networking by attaching elastic network interfaces, managing security group rules, and assigning IP addresses through the ECS console or programmatically via APIs. **Q: what's the best way to configure networking** A: The best approach depends on your workflow: use the graphical console for one-time, guided setup and rule management, or use programmatic APIs for automated CI/CD integration and batch network provisioning. **Q: how do I execute remote commands on instances** A: You execute remote commands by using the Cloud Assistant service to run scripts or upload files on instances that are in the Running state and have the agent installed. **Q: what's the best way to execute remote command** A: Use the Cloud Assistant console for ad-hoc tasks and manual execution, or switch to the API for programmatic automation, keeping in mind the 50-instance concurrency limit and Base64 payload size restrictions. **Q: how do I manage custom images for instances** A: You manage custom images by creating them from running instances, importing external files in supported formats, and configuring sharing permissions across accounts and regions. **Q: what's the best way to manage custom images** A: The console is best for occasional, manual operations like creation and encryption, while APIs are optimal for automating image pipelines, cross-account sharing, and multi-region distribution. **Q: how do I manage data protection and recovery for** A: You manage data protection by configuring automatic snapshot policies, creating consistent snapshot groups, and restoring disks or instances from existing backups through the storage management interface. **Q: what's the best way to configure automatic snapshots** A: Configure automatic snapshots directly in the ECS console storage section to define retention schedules, or use programmatic APIs to integrate snapshot creation into automated backup workflows. **Q: how do I troubleshoot system-level issues on instances** A: You troubleshoot system-level issues by identifying specific OS errors like GNOME panel failures, sysctl misconfigurations, or kernel conflicts, then applying targeted console-guided fixes. **Q: what's the best way to troubleshoot system issues** A: Start with the console troubleshooting guides for step-by-step resolution of desktop environment and configuration errors, and verify Cloud Assistant agent status if remote diagnostics are required. ## Key terms Elastic network interface is a virtual network card that you can attach to an ECS instance to provide flexible network connectivity and IP assignment. Cloud Assistant is a built-in service that enables secure, agent-based remote command execution and file transfer without requiring SSH or RDP access. Security group is a virtual firewall that controls inbound and outbound traffic for your instances through configurable rule sets. Custom image is a user-created snapshot template that captures the operating system, applications, and data of an instance for rapid deployment or sharing. Snapshot is a point-in-time backup of a disk that preserves data for recovery, migration, or automated protection policies. ## Sources The authoritative source for this information is the official Alibaba Cloud Elastic Compute Service (ECS) documentation. Elastic Compute Service (ECS) is available as agent-callable skills via DaaS. Route any question to the best skill with `POST https://www.company-skill.com/api/route` `{"query": "...", "product": "ecs"}`. ## What you can do - [Configure instance](https://www.company-skill.com/p/ecs/ecs-configure-instance.md): This skill helps users choose the right path to Configure networking for ECS instances. Use this skill BEFORE diving into implementation details — it routes you to the appropriate detail skill based o - [Execute instances](https://www.company-skill.com/p/ecs/ecs-execute-instances.md): This skill helps users choose the right path to Execute remote commands on ECS instances. Use this skill BEFORE diving into implementation details — it routes you to the appropriate detail skill based - [Manage images](https://www.company-skill.com/p/ecs/ecs-manage-images.md): This skill helps users choose the right path to Manage custom images for ECS instances. Use this skill BEFORE diving into implementation details — it routes you to the appropriate detail skill based o - [Manage recovery](https://www.company-skill.com/p/ecs/ecs-manage-recovery.md): This skill helps users choose the right path to Manage data protection and recovery for ECS. Use this skill BEFORE diving into implementation details — it routes you to the appropriate detail skill ba - [Troubleshoot issues](https://www.company-skill.com/p/ecs/ecs-troubleshoot-issues.md): This skill helps users choose the right path to Troubleshoot system-level issues on ECS instances. Use this skill BEFORE diving into implementation details — it routes you to the appropriate detail sk ## Frequently asked questions ### When should I use the API vs. the console? Use the console for one-off tasks, exploration, or when you prefer GUIs. Use the API/SDK for automation, integration into scripts/apps, or managing large numbers of resources. ### How do I get started with Cloud Assistant? First install the Cloud Assistant client on your instance (Linux/Windows), then use the console or API to create and run commands remotely. ### Why can’t I ping my ECS instance’s public IP? Check security group rules (must allow ICMP), instance firewall settings, and whether the instance is running. See Network > troubleshooting for detailed diagnostics. ### How do I reset a forgotten instance password? Stop the instance, then use the console (Instances > More > Reset Password) or API (`ModifyInstanceAttribute`) to set a new password. ### What’s the difference between a system disk and data disk? The system disk contains the OS and is required. Data disks are optional, used for application data, and can be detached independently. Both support snapshots and encryption. ### How do I configure networking for ECS instances? You configure networking for ECS instances by attaching ENIs, configuring security groups, and assigning IP addresses. These tasks are handled through the dedicated instance configuration intent skill. ### How do I execute remote commands on ECS instances? You execute remote commands by installing the Cloud Assistant client on your instance and using the console or API to run batch commands. This method enables remote execution for both Linux and Windows environments. ### How do I manage custom images for ECS instances? You manage custom images by creating them from an existing instance, importing them from OSS, or sharing them with other accounts. These operations are available through dedicated console and API workflows. ### How do I manage data protection and configure automatic snapshots for ECS instances? You manage data protection and recovery by setting up automatic snapshot policies and restoring instances from existing snapshots. These features provide reliable backup and disaster recovery capabilities for your storage. ## Use with an AI agent ```bash curl -s https://www.company-skill.com/api/route \ -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \ -d '{"query": "...", "product": "ecs"}' ``` MCP server: https://www.company-skill.com/api/mcp/ecs.py --- Machine-readable: https://www.company-skill.com/llms.txt · https://www.company-skill.com/sitemap.xml