[AWS] EC2 – AMIs

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.

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Types of AMIs

• Community AMIs (free)
• AWS Market AMIs (pay to use + additional licensed software)
• My AMIs

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EC2 Image Builder

EC2 Image builder allows you to create AMIs and container images simply through a graphical interface.

• It validates and tests images.
  • Security compliance, AWS-provided tests, or custom tests
• Use case:
  • You can automate image update processes such as software updates. Image Builder creates a new image, runs validation tests, and makes it available in AWS regions of your choice.

Image Pipeline

• Image Recipe:
  • Image builder uses a recipe for each image.
  • An image can be AMI (Amazon Machine Image) or Docker Image.

• A pipeline defines the configuration and end-to-end process.
  • Base OS (Source Image) -> Software (Build Components) -> Tests -> Distribution

How to use Image Builder

1. Create an IAM Role: add permissions for EC2 Image Builder
2. Create an Image Pipeline: define a recipe – configuration settings
3. Execute the Pipeline: Image Builder launches a temporary build and tests the instance.
4. The image can be seen in the EC2 console AMIs section.