Take the 2-minute tour ×  I'm evaluating Amazon EC2 spot
instances, which seem like they will provide a good value for
some of our computationally intensive but not time sensitive
processes. The concept is simple enough, our instance will run
for as long as desired assuming our maximum bid exceeds the
current market price. I know that the instances can be
terminated abruptly if the market price ever exceeds our maximum
bid. I also know that Amazon only bills in even hours for
instance run time and charges for a full hour the moment your
instance transitions to the running state. So here's the
question:  Assuming the current market price is below our
maximum bid, and the spot instance requested starts, then the
market price rises above the maximum bid will the spot instance
be allowed to finish the hour we've already been billed for or
is it possible the instance will be terminated in less time than
that? Is it theoretically possible for an instance to run for
just a few minutes and then be terminated?  share|