Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) serve as the building blocks when it comes to launching instances in Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). An AMI consists of a root volume template for the instance, launching permissions, and a block device mapping that specifies the volumes to attach to the instance when it’s launched. As part of the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam, it’s critical to understand how to create and manage AMIs effectively.
One of the recommended ways to create and manage AMIs is by using EC2 Image Builder. EC2 Image Builder is a fully-managed AWS service that simplifies the creation, maintenance, validation, sharing, and deployment of Linux or Windows Server images.
Creating AMIs with EC2 Image Builder
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an AMI with EC2 Image Builder:
- Open the EC2 console from the AWS Management Console.
- Navigate to the “Image Builder” section.
- Choose “Create Image Pipeline”.
- Configure the image recipe. This includes selection of the source image, image tests, additional configurations, and the components for your image.
- Configure the image pipeline settings. Set a schedule for image building (if needed), select the IAM role, and set output AMI properties.
- Configure the distribution settings, i.e. you can specify where the AMI should be replicated and shared.
- Review and create your pipeline.
After successful creation, Image Builder will start creating an image as per the schedule. You can also manually run the pipeline from the console.
Managing AMIs
After creating AMIs, the management of these images is important. This includes deprecating old images, sharing AMIs with other accounts, and deleting unneeded AMIs.
Here’s a quick guide on how to manage AMIs:
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Deprecating Old AMIs:
As new AMIs are created, old ones should be phased out from your infrastructure. You can do this by updating your launch configurations or launch templates to use the latest AMIs.
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Sharing AMIs:
If you wish to share your AMIs with other AWS accounts, you can do it from the AMI section of the EC2 console. Select the AMI to share, choose “Actions” > “Modify Image Permissions”, and add the account numbers you want to share with.
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Deleting AMIs:
Over time, you might accumulate AMIs that are no longer needed. To delete an AMI, you must first deregister it, and then delete the snapshot.
Please note, if an AMI is backed by EBS, its deletion will not result in the deletion of the snapshot that was created when the AMI was created. To delete this snapshot, navigate to the “Snapshots” section in the EC2 dashboard, select the snapshot and choose ’Delete’.
Understanding AMIs and their efficient use helps ensure efficient and standardized instance launches, resulting in more streamlined operations and improved governance. This knowledge is highly valuable for the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam.
Practice Test
True or False: AMIs are region-specific in AWS.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: AMIs are only available to EC2 instances in the same region. However, they can be copied across different regions.
Does “EC2 Image Builder” simplify building, testing, and deploying Amazon Machine Images (AMIs)?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: EC2 Image Builder simplifies creating, maintaining, validating, sharing, and deploying AMIs at scale.
What can be done to share an AMI with another AWS account?
- A) Copy the AMI
- B) Share the AMI
- C) Delete the AMI
- D) All of the above
Answer: B) Share the AMI
Explanation: An AMI can be shared with other AWS accounts using the AWS management console, CLI, or SDKs.
Can you modify the root volume of an AMI?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: A) Yes
Explanation: You can modify the root volume of an instance after it has been launched from an AMI, but not the AMI directly.
What is the first step in creating an AMI for an Amazon EC2 instance?
- A) Choose “Create Image” from the Instances Menu
- B) Choose “Copy Image” from the AMI Menu
- C) Choose “Launch Instances” from the Instances Menu
- D) Choose “Delete Image” from the Instances Menu
Answer: A) Choose “Create Image” from the Instances Menu
Explanation: To create an AMI for an Amazon EC2 instance, you first need to choose “Create Image” from the Instance menu.
Can encrypted AMIs be shared across accounts in AWS?
- Yes
- No
Answer: No
Explanation: Encrypted AMIs cannot be shared directly. The snapshots need to be copied and re-encrypted with a key that can be accessed across accounts.
True or False: AMIs includes your permissions and settings.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: AMIs include the permissions required to launch instances, including the AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) role needed to manage the instances.
Which AWS service can automate the creation of AMIs?
- A) EC2 Image Builder
- B) AWS Elastic Beanstalk
- C) Amazon RDS
- D) Amazon S3
Answer: A) EC2 Image Builder
Explanation: AWS EC2 Image Builder service automates the creation, maintenance, validation, sharing, and deployment of AMIs.
What is the advantage of unencrypted AMIs?
- A) They can be shared directly
- B) They use less storage
- C) They are more secure
- D) They load faster
Answer: A) They can be shared directly
Explanation: Unlike encrypted AMIs, unencrypted AMIs can be shared directly without doing any additional steps.
In order to use an AMI to launch an instance, what must the status of the AMI be?
- A) Pending
- B) Available
- C) Stopped
- D) Running
Answer: B) Available
Explanation: To use an AMI to launch an instance, the AMI needs to be in an ‘Available’ status.
True or False: Deleting an AMI also deletes the underlying EBS snapshots.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Deleting an AMI does not delete the underlying EBS snapshots, they must be deleted separately.
What are the types of sharing for an AMI?
- A) Public Sharing
- B) Private Sharing
- C) AWS Marketplace
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: AMIs can be shared publicly, privately, or via the AWS Marketplace.
Are all AMIs provided by AWS supported by AWS?
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Not all AMIs provided on the AWS Marketplace are supported by AWS. It’s important to check the details on the Marketplace listing.
True or False: An AMI includes all launch permissions and user-data scripts.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The AMI does include launch permissions but the user-data scripts are not included in the AMI.
Interview Questions
What is an Amazon Machine Image (AMI)?
An Amazon Machine Image (AMI) provides the information required to launch an instance, which is a virtual server in the AWS cloud. AMIs include a template for the root volume, launch permissions that control AWS accounts, and a block device mapping that specifies the volumes to attach to the instance when it’s launched.
How does EC2 Image Builder simplify the creation and maintenance of AMIs?
EC2 Image Builder simplifies the creation, maintenance, validation, sharing, and deployment of Linux or Windows Server images. It provides a graphical interface where you can build and test AMIs using a variety of options and configurations.
What are the primary components of an AMI?
The primary components of an AMI are a template for the root volume, launch permissions, and a block device mapping that specifies the additional volumes to attach to the instance when it’s launched.
Can you modify the root volume of an AMI after its creation?
No, you can’t modify the root volume of an AMI after its creation. However, you can create a new AMI certainly from an existing one with the changes you want to implement.
How do you control who has access to the AMIs you create?
The creator of an AMI can manage the permissions for an AMI and can specify whether an AMI is public (accessible to all AWS accounts), private (only accessible to that AWS account), or shared with a specific AWS account.
What is EC2 Image Builder used for?
EC2 Image Builder is a service that makes it easier and more cost-effective to build, secure, and maintain server images that are optimized for your applications. It also assists administrators in enhancing security, improving compliance, and reducing the burden of manual and time-consuming image management tasks.
Is it possible to delete an AMI while it’s in use?
While you can deregister an AMI when it’s no longer needed, you can’t delete it if instances are currently running using it. First, you’d need to terminate the instances or replace the AMI they’re using.
Can I encrypt an existing AMI?
No, you cannot directly encrypt an existing AMI. However, you can create a copy of the AMI and choose to encrypt the copied AMI during the copying process.
What are the benefits of using EC2 Image Builder to maintain a golden image pipeline?
EC2 Image Builder benefits include automating the process of building and testing AMIs, standardizing image configuration across your organization, maintaining up-to-date and secure images, and reducing the manual effort required to maintain AMI inventory.
How can you share an AMI with other AWS accounts?
To share an AMI with another AWS account, you need to modify the permissions on the AMI and specify the AWS account ID of the account with which you want to share the AMI. The shared AMI will then appear in the recipient’s AWS console.
Why would you need to create your own AMI?
Creating your own AMI allows you to launch instances that have everything you need for your application set up in advance. This can include specific software, configurations, or data, allowing instances to be ready for use as soon as they’re launched because they avoid the need for preliminary setup.
Can I use EC2 Image Builder for building container images?
No, EC2 Image Builder currently only supports building and testing OS images for Amazon EC2 instances.
What are sharing permissions of an AMI?
Sharing permissions of an AMI determine which AWS accounts can use the AMI to launch instances. The creator can specify the AMI to be private (default), public, or shared with specific AWS accounts.
Can I use my own license for software within the AMI I created?
Yes, you can use a BYOL (Bring Your Own License) model for any licensed software in your AMIs, though you should confirm the terms of your licensing agreement before distribution.
What is golden image pipeline?
A golden image pipeline is a system for managing and distributing standard server images within an organization. It ensures consistency, security, and up-to-date configurations across server deployments.
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