AMIs (Amazon Machine Images) are containers that are used to build instances (OS + SW packages + settings).
Features
- Snapshots of EBS volumes are created automatically and used to create an AMI.
- AMI stores a snapshot of EBS volumes, permissions, and a block device mapping.
- AMIs need to have appropriate launch permissions (private, a specific account, or public).
- AMIs can be copied to other AWS regions.
- AMI is used with Auto Scaling to launch new servers on demand.
- AMIs are only available in the region they are created.
- You can select the AMI based on: Region, OS, Architecture (32, 64, Arm), Launch Permissions, Root Storage Types (EBS or Instance store volume).
- EBS is from the snapshot, and an Instance store volume is from the template.
Types of AMIs
- Community AMIs (free)
- AWS Market AMIs (pay to use + additional licensed software)
- My AMIs
Scriptorium 