An AMI (Amazon Machine Image) in AWS is a pre-configured template that contains the information required to launch an EC2 instance. It includes the operating system, application server, and applications. AMIs are customizable and can be used to create consistent environments. You can create your own AMI after configuring an instance to replicate its settings. Public AMIs are available for free or purchase, while private AMIs are shared within AWS accounts. Using AMIs helps automate deployments, ensure consistency, and speed up the launch of new instances.
For more information use this link – https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/AMIs.html
Types of AMIs: AMIs can be public, private, or shared with specific AWS accounts. This flexibility helps in secure deployments.
AMI Region Scope: AMIs are region-specific. Make sure you are in the correct region when searching for an AMI ID.
Custom AMIs: You can create a custom AMI from an existing EC2 instance after setting it up with your required configuration.
Use Case: AMIs are commonly used for creating consistent environments in production, staging, or testing setups.
Billing Note: While AMIs themselves are free in many cases, some third-party AMIs (from the Marketplace) may include software license fees.
Automation: AMIs are essential for auto-scaling groups, as they define the launch template for new EC2 instances.
1. Log in to your AWS account and navigate to the EC2 section. On the left-hand side, you’ll find a panel with various options related to EC2. From there, you can locate the ‘Images’ section, which includes AMIs and related configurations.
2. Scroll down to find the AMI Catalog option in the left-hand menu, then click on it to explore available Amazon Machine Images.
3. Each AMI has a unique ID. If you already have this ID, simply paste it into the search bar to quickly locate the AMI and view its related details.
END