EC2 Image Builder: Building and Customizing Managed Images for Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

/ Tutorial

Introduction

In today’s rapidly evolving cloud computing landscape, it is important for businesses to efficiently manage their Virtual Machine (VM) images. This includes building, customizing, and maintaining these images to meet the unique requirements of their applications. To simplify this process, Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers EC2 Image Builder—an invaluable service that enhances infrastructure management. In an exciting development, EC2 Image Builder now supports two additional operating systems: Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04 Long Term Support (LTS). This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of EC2 Image Builder’s capabilities, and explore how you can leverage it to leverage the power of these new managed images.

Table of Contents

  1. What is EC2 Image Builder?
    1.1. EC2 Image Builder Features
    1.2. Benefits of EC2 Image Builder
  2. Introduction to Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
  3. Setting Up EC2 Image Builder
    3.1. Prerequisites for EC2 Image Builder
    3.2. Creating an EC2 Image Builder Pipeline
    3.3. Customizing EC2 Image Builder Pipelines
  4. Building Custom Images with EC2 Image Builder
    4.1. Selecting Base Images
    4.2. Customization Scripts
    4.3. Adding Packages and Dependencies
    4.4. Configuring Your Image
  5. Managing Custom Images
    5.1. Launching EC2 Instances from Custom Images
    5.2. Automating Image Updates
    5.3. Versioning and Retention Policies
  6. Advanced EC2 Image Builder Techniques
    6.1. Image Builder Components
    6.2. Using Parameterized Builds
    6.3. Automated Testing and Validation
    6.4. Image Distribution and Sharing
  7. Enhancing SEO for EC2 Image Builder
    7.1. Optimizing Image Metadata
    7.2. Using Canonical Links
    7.3. Link Building Strategies
    7.4. Leveraging Schema Markup
    7.5. Incorporating Keywords and Page Titles
    7.6. Leveraging Social Media for SEO
  8. Conclusion

1. What is EC2 Image Builder?

EC2 Image Builder is a managed service designed to streamline the process of building, customizing, and maintaining VM images. It eliminates the need for manual image creation and ensures consistency and compliance across your infrastructure. EC2 Image Builder enables you to define and automate the image building process through pipelines, allowing for easy repeatability and scalability.

1.1. EC2 Image Builder Features

EC2 Image Builder offers a range of features that enable you to create and manage VM images effortlessly. Some key features include:

  • Simplified Image Creation: EC2 Image Builder provides a user-friendly interface for selecting base images, customizing them, and defining desired configurations.

  • Compliance and Security: With built-in security configurations and enforced compliance checks, EC2 Image Builder ensures that your images adhere to industry best practices.

  • Version Control: You can track and manage different versions of your images, allowing for easy rollback and a complete audit trail.

  • Automation and Scheduling: Image building and update processes can be automated and scheduled to meet your infrastructure requirements.

  • Enterprise Integration: EC2 Image Builder integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, such as Amazon CloudWatch and AWS Organizations, to provide a unified infrastructure management experience.

1.2. Benefits of EC2 Image Builder

EC2 Image Builder offers numerous benefits that make it an indispensable tool for managing your VM images:

  • Efficiency: The automation capabilities and pre-built scripts of EC2 Image Builder significantly accelerate the image creation process, saving valuable time for your team.

  • Consistency: With EC2 Image Builder, you can ensure consistent configurations across your infrastructure, reducing the risk of errors and improving overall stability.

  • Scalability: By leveraging EC2 Image Builder’s pipeline-based approach, you can rapidly scale your image creation and update processes to meet the demands of your expanding infrastructure.

  • Cost-Effectiveness: EC2 Image Builder eliminates the need for manual image creation, reducing the overhead associated with managing VM images and minimizing costs.

Now, let’s explore the newly supported operating systems that EC2 Image Builder now offers—Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

2. Introduction to Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS are two widely-used operating systems that have gained significant popularity in the cloud computing industry.

2.1 Amazon Linux 2023

Amazon Linux 2023 is an open-source operating system designed specifically for the AWS cloud environment. It provides a stable and secure foundation for running various workloads, including web applications, microservices, and data processing tasks.

Key features of Amazon Linux 2023 include:

  • Long-Term Support: Amazon Linux 2023 comes with long-term support, ensuring that you receive security patches and updates for an extended period, enhancing the stability and reliability of your infrastructure.

  • Optimized for AWS: Amazon Linux 2023 is optimized for use with AWS services and offers a seamless integration experience. It provides improved performance and includes tools and libraries that simplify managing your infrastructure on AWS.

2.2 Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, also known as “Focal Fossa,” is a popular Linux distribution widely used in both cloud and on-premises environments. It offers a powerful and secure platform for hosting a wide range of applications.

Key features of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS include:

  • Long-Term Support: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS provides long-term support, guaranteeing security updates and bug fixes for a considerable period. This ensures the stability and reliability of your VM images.

  • Vibrant Ecosystem: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS benefits from a vibrant community and extensive software repositories, allowing you to access a broad range of applications, tools, and libraries. This enables easy integration with various technologies and simplifies the development process.

Now that you have a better understanding of Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, let’s dive into the process of setting up EC2 Image Builder.

3. Setting Up EC2 Image Builder

Before you can start using EC2 Image Builder, there are a few prerequisites to consider. Once you have met these requirements, you can proceed with creating an EC2 Image Builder pipeline.

3.1 Prerequisites for EC2 Image Builder

To utilize EC2 Image Builder effectively, you need the following prerequisites:

  • AWS Account: Ensure that you have an active AWS account and appropriate permissions to interact with EC2 Image Builder.

  • Amazon S3 Bucket: Create an Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) bucket to store your resulting images and associated artifacts.

  • IAM Roles: Create the necessary AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles—such as EC2InstanceProfileForImageBuilder—to grant the required privileges to EC2 Image Builder.

3.2 Creating an EC2 Image Builder Pipeline

To leverage the power of EC2 Image Builder, you must create an image building pipeline, which defines the series of steps, settings, and actions to be performed during the image creation process.

Follow these steps to create an EC2 Image Builder pipeline:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Click on “Create image pipeline.”

  3. Provide a meaningful name and description for your pipeline.

  4. Configure the pipeline settings, such as the operating system, instance type, and IAM roles.

  5. Define the source image to be used as the base image for your custom image. Select either Amazon Machine Image (AMI), an instance, or specify a raw disk image from your S3 bucket.

  6. Customize the pipeline further by specifying optional settings, such as block device mappings and subnet configuration.

  7. Add build components to your pipeline, such as scripts, role-based access controls, and test policies.

  8. Configure image tests and validations if required. EC2 Image Builder allows you to define test policies to ensure the image meets specific criteria.

  9. Once you have configured all the necessary parameters, click on “Create pipeline.”

Congratulations! You have successfully set up an EC2 Image Builder pipeline. Next, let’s explore how you can customize your pipelines for different use cases.

3.3 Customizing EC2 Image Builder Pipelines

EC2 Image Builder Pipelines can be customized to cater to your specific requirements. You can incorporate various components and settings to streamline the image creation process. Here are a few examples of customizations you can perform:

  • Adding Additional Software and Dependencies: Customize your pipeline by installing additional software, libraries, and dependencies required for your application stack.

  • Configuring Security and Compliance: Define security and compliance policies, such as hardening the operating system and enabling specific security configurations.

  • Launching and Testing Instances: Configure your pipeline to launch instances from your custom image to perform thorough testing and validation before deployment.

  • Automating Backup and Retention: Extend your pipeline to automate backups and retention policies for your custom images, ensuring data protection and recovery.

Remember, EC2 Image Builder pipelines are highly flexible and allow you to incorporate customizations to meet your exact needs. Now that we have explored the pipeline creation process, let’s move on to the next phase: building custom images.

4. Building Custom Images with EC2 Image Builder

Building custom images with EC2 Image Builder involves defining the base images, executing customization scripts, adding software packages and dependencies, and configuring the image settings. Let’s delve into each step in detail.

4.1 Selecting Base Images

When building custom images, you need to select a suitable base image to work from. A base image serves as a starting point and provides the foundation for your customizations.

EC2 Image Builder supports a wide range of base images, including Linux AMIs, existing EC2 instances, and raw disk images. It is crucial to choose a base image that aligns with your application requirements, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.

To select a base image in EC2 Image Builder:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Choose the pipeline you created earlier and click on “Edit.”

  3. In the “Components” section of the pipeline, click on the “+” icon to add a new component.

  4. Select the desired source type—such as AMI, EC2 instance, or raw image.

  5. Choose the specific source image based on the desired operating system and version.

  6. Click on “Add component” to successfully add the base image to your pipeline.

4.2 Customization Scripts

One of the powerful features of EC2 Image Builder is the ability to execute customization scripts during the image creation process. These scripts enable you to automate various tasks, such as installing software, configuring settings, and initializing the required services.

EC2 Image Builder supports both Shell and PowerShell scripts, giving you the flexibility to use your preferred scripting language. You can create custom scripts or utilize predefined scripts provided by AWS.

To add customization scripts to your pipeline:

  1. From the EC2 Image Builder console, open the pipeline for editing.

  2. In the “Components” section, click on the “+” icon to add a new component.

  3. Choose the “Script” component type.

  4. Provide a meaningful name and description for the script component.

  5. Specify the script artifacts, such as the script file or script code.

  6. Choose the appropriate script type—Shell or PowerShell.

  7. If necessary, provide input parameters for your script.

  8. Click on “Add component” to add the script to your pipeline.

Remember to test your scripts thoroughly before incorporating them into your pipeline to ensure they perform as expected.

4.3 Adding Packages and Dependencies

To create custom images that meet your application requirements, you often need to install additional software packages and dependencies. EC2 Image Builder simplifies this process by allowing you to declare and configure package installations during the image build process.

To add packages and dependencies to your pipeline:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Choose the desired pipeline and click on “Edit.”

  3. In the “Components” section, click on the “+” icon to add a new component.

  4. Select the “Packages” component type.

  5. Enter the package names and versions you wish to install.

  6. Specify any additional configuration settings, such as pre-install or post-install scripts.

  7. Click on “Add component” to add the packages to your pipeline.

4.4 Configuring Your Image

EC2 Image Builder offers various configuration options to tailor your image settings according to your application’s requirements. These configurations include network settings, security configurations, runtime parameters, and more.

To configure your image with EC2 Image Builder:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Select the appropriate pipeline and click on “Edit.”

  3. Navigate to the “Components” section and click on the “+” icon to add a new component.

  4. Choose the “Component” type that corresponds to the desired configuration, such as “Networking,” “Security,” or “Runtime Configuration.”

  5. Fill in the necessary configuration details based on your specific requirements.

  6. Click on “Add component” to include the configuration in your pipeline.

The ability to customize your image settings provides you with fine-grained control over your infrastructure, enabling you to deliver optimal performance and meet your security and compliance objectives.

Now that we have covered the image building process, let’s move on to managing your custom images effectively.

5. Managing Custom Images

EC2 Image Builder not only simplifies the process of building custom images but also offers powerful capabilities for managing these images efficiently. Let’s explore some essential techniques for managing your custom images effectively.

5.1 Launching EC2 Instances from Custom Images

Once you have created and customized your custom images using EC2 Image Builder, you can quickly launch EC2 instances from these images. This allows you to validate and test your images before deployment, ensuring their readiness for production environments.

To launch an EC2 instance from your custom image:

  1. Open the EC2 console.

  2. Click on “Launch instance” and select “My AMIs” from the left navigation pane.

  3. Choose the custom image you want to use.

  4. Configure the instance parameters, including instance type, networking settings, and security groups.

  5. Review the configuration and click on “Launch” to start the EC2 instance creation process.

Launching instances from your custom images provides you with a powerful way to validate their effectiveness and test your application stack.

5.2 Automating Image Updates

As your infrastructure evolves, it is essential to keep your custom images up to date with the latest security patches, bug fixes, and software updates. EC2 Image Builder simplifies this process by enabling you to automate image updates, ensuring your infrastructure remains secure and optimized.

To automate image updates with EC2 Image Builder:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Choose the desired pipeline and click on “Edit.”

  3. Navigate to the “Schedule” section.

  4. Configure the desired settings for image update scheduling, such as the frequency and time windows.

  5. Optionally, specify other parameters, such as maintenance criteria and event triggers.

  6. Click on “Update pipeline” to save the changes.

By automating image updates, you can ensure that your custom images are always up to date and aligned with the latest security practices.

5.3 Versioning and Retention Policies

EC2 Image Builder enables you to manage different versions of your custom images effectively. This allows you to track changes, perform rollbacks if necessary, and maintain a complete audit trail.

To manage image versions and retention policies:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Choose the relevant pipeline and click on the “Versions” tab.

  3. Review the available versions and their respective details.

  4. If required, select a specific version and click on “Launch a new instance” to launch an EC2 instance using the selected version.

  5. To define retention policies, click on the “Settings” tab and navigate to the “Distribution settings” section.

  6. Configure the retention policy settings, such as maximum allowed retained images and interval limits.

  7. Click on “Save changes” to apply the retention policies.

With version control and retention policies in place, you can effectively manage your custom images’ lifecycle and ensure the availability of older versions when necessary.

Now that we have explored the essential management techniques, let’s move on to advanced topics in EC2 Image Builder.

6. Advanced EC2 Image Builder Techniques

EC2 Image Builder has a rich set of advanced features and techniques that can further enhance your image building and management workflows. Let’s explore some of these advanced techniques:

6.1 Image Builder Components

EC2 Image Builder components are reusable building blocks that enable you to modularize your image building process. You can create and configure components for specific tasks, such as software installations, security configurations, and testing.

To create a custom component:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Click on “Components” in the left navigation pane.

  3. Click on “Create component.”

  4. Provide a name and description for your component.

  5. Specify the component artifacts, such as the script or configuration files.

  6. Configure any associated parameters for the component.

  7. Click on “Create component” to save your custom component.

By leveraging components, you can promote reusability, simplify pipeline configurations, and enhance the maintainability of your image building process.

6.2 Using Parameterized Builds

Parameterized builds in EC2 Image Builder allow you to customize image creation based on specific input parameters. This provides you with the flexibility to create multiple image variations from the same base image, thereby optimizing the image building process.

To create a parameterized build:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Select the relevant pipeline and click on “Edit.”

  3. In the “Components” section, click on “+” to add a new component.

  4. Choose the “Parameterized Build” component type.

  5. Define the desired input parameters and their values.

  6. Click on “Add component” to save the parameterized build component.

By leveraging parameterized builds, you can easily customize your image creation process without duplicating pipelines or creating separate base images for each variation.

6.3 Automated Testing and Validation

EC2 Image Builder allows you to automate testing and validation of your custom images, ensuring their integrity and functionality. Automated tests can perform various checks, including application-specific validations, security measures, and compatibility checks.

To configure automated tests in EC2 Image Builder:

  1. Open the EC2 Image Builder console.

  2. Choose the relevant pipeline and click on “Edit.”