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    Elastic Container Instance:the ECI workflow

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    Elastic Container Instance:the ECI workflow

    Last Updated:Jun 04, 2026

    ECI lets you deploy containerized applications from the console or through OpenAPI. Integrate ECI with Kubernetes clusters through Virtual Kubelet to handle traffic bursts with elastic scaling.

    Use ECI from the console, SDK, or API

    If you do not need Kubernetes features like container orchestration, load balancing, or scheduled tasks, use ECI directly from the console, SDKs, or API. Use ECI from the ECI console and API.

    Console

    Best for beginners. Create ECI instances and run containers from the console. Use ECI in the console.

    SDK or API

    For developers who do not use Kubernetes. Test quickly in the OpenAPI portal, or install an SDK (Java, Python, or Go) for development. Use ECI through an SDK.

    Use ECI with Container Service for Kubernetes

    ECI integrates with Container Service for Kubernetes (ACK). Use ACK Serverless clusters or ACK clusters to run containers on ECI. Use ECI with ACK.

    ACK Serverless (runs entirely on ECI)

    ACK Serverless clusters run entirely on ECI. Create pods directly without deploying virtual nodes — each pod maps to one ECI instance. Use ECI with an ACK serverless cluster.

    ASK

    Workflow:

    1. Create an ACK serverless cluster.

    2. Prepare a container image.

    3. Create an application.

      • Create an application in the ACK console.

      • Create an application with kubectl in CloudShell.

      • Obtain the KubeConfig file and create an application with a kubectl client.

    ACK (use ECI and ECS together)

    ACK clusters run on ECS by default. Deploy virtual nodes with Virtual Kubelet to create ECI pods. Each pod on a virtual node maps to one ECI instance.

    ACK+ECI

    Workflow:

    1. Create an ACK cluster.

    2. Deploy the ack-virtual-node component to create a virtual node.

    3. Prepare a container image.

    4. Create an application.

      • Create an application in the ACK console.

      • Create an application with kubectl in CloudShell.

      • Obtain the KubeConfig file and create an application with a kubectl client.

    Use ECI with a self-managed Kubernetes cluster

    Deploy VNodes in self-managed Kubernetes clusters (on-premises or on ECS) to run pods as ECI instances. VNodes are compatible with native Kubernetes APIs. Use ECI in self-managed Kubernetes clusters.

    vnode

    Note

    VNodes are billed by quantity. Each VNode includes a resident node equivalent to an ECI instance with 2 vCPUs and 8 GiB of memory. You are charged for this instance.

    Workflow:

    1. Configure the basic environment.

    2. Deploy a virtual node.

    3. Prepare a container image.

    4. Create an application with kubectl.