Create and manage AMIs (for example, EC2 Image Builder).

Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) serve as the templates from which Amazon EC2 instances can be launched. By creating a custom AMI, you can save time on configuration and ensure that your EC2 instances are pre-loaded with your software and configuration settings. Managing AMIs is a key skill for an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate, as it allows for the consistent deployment and scalability of environments.

Creating a Custom AMI

To create a custom AMI, you typically start with an existing AMI, make changes to the instance, and then create a new AMI based on that instance. Here is a step-by-step process:

1. Launch an EC2 instance from an existing AMI:
   • From the AWS Management Console, navigate to the EC2 Dashboard and click “Launch Instance”.
   • Choose a base AMI that is closest to your needs and select an instance type.
   • Configure instance details, add storage, and tags as per your requirement.
   • Configure a security group and key pair, then launch the instance.
2. Customize your instance:
   • Once the instance is running, connect to it using SSH or RDP.
   • Make the required changes such as installing software, updating packages, configuring settings, etc.
3. Create a new AMI:
   • Stop the instance to ensure data integrity during the image creation process.
   • Navigate to the EC2 Dashboard, right-click on the instance, and select “Create Image”.
   • Enter the details for the AMI, such as name and description, and then click “Create Image”.
4. The process will create an AMI and snapshots associated with it.

Managing AMIs

Once an AMI is created, you can manage it by:

• Sharing an AMI: Make your AMI available to others by changing its permissions.
• Deregistering an AMI: If you no longer need an AMI, you can deregister it. This does not delete the underlying snapshots.
• Copying an AMI: You can copy AMIs across AWS regions, enabling multi-region deployment.

EC2 Image Builder

EC2 Image Builder is a service that automates the creation, management, and deployment of customized, secure, and up-to-date “golden” server images. The following outlines how to use EC2 Image Builder:

1. Define an image recipe:
   • Specify the base image directly or choose a parent image by providing the ARN.
   • Add components to install software, run tests, and apply settings.
   • Set up image tests to validate the image functionality.
2. Create an Image Builder pipeline:
   • Define the infrastructure configuration, detailing the instance type and network settings to use during the image creation process.
   • Set the distribution settings to govern where the image should be distributed once created, such as specific AWS regions.
   • Create the pipeline, set a schedule for when the image should be updated, and specify the output AMI name format.
3. Monitor the pipeline:
   • Track the image building process through provided CloudWatch events and logs.
   • Organize logs and resources with tags defined for the pipeline.

Example Use Case

Consider a scenario where an organization needs to deploy a fleet of EC2 instances all pre-configured with a specific set of security patches, application software, and host configurations. By using a custom AMI, they can ensure that each instance spun from the AMI maintains the required standards. Plus, with EC2 Image Builder, they can automate the process of updating and maintaining the security and compliance of their golden images over time, without manual intervention.

Conclusion

Creating and managing AMIs is vital for consistent and scalable deployments in AWS. Custom AMIs can help with faster startup times and pre-configured settings, while EC2 Image Builder can assist in automating the lifecycle of an image. Together, these tools are imperative for a SysOps Administrator to maintain efficient and compliant AWS environments. By leveraging AWS best practices and continuously optimizing your AMI strategy, you can achieve greater productivity and reliability in your cloud operations.