How to Create a New VM from a Snapshot of an Existing VM on AWS

VM (Virtual Machine) snapshots are a powerful tool for maintaining backups of your virtual machines (VMs) in the AWS environment. By leveraging snapshots, you can easily restore data and revert to previous states if needed. Creating a new VM from a snapshot of an existing VM is a straightforward process, and this guide will walk you through it.

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure you have a basic understanding of:

AWS console EC2 services Elastic Block Storage (EBS) Amazon Machine Image (AMI)

Steps to Create a New VM from a Snapshot on AWS

Step 1: Log In to the AWS Console

To begin, log in to the AWS Management Console. Make sure you have the necessary permissions to create and manage VMs.

Step 2: Navigate to EC2 Services

Within the AWS Console, click on the EC2 service from the navigation menu. This will take you to the main EC2 dashboard where you can manage your VMs.

Step 3: Access Elastic Block Storage (EBS) Snapshots

On the left navigation panel, find and click on Elastic Block Storage. Then, navigate to the Snapshots section. Here, you will find all the EBS snapshots that have been created from your VMs.

Step 4: Create an Image from the Snapshot

Top right, click on the Actions menu, and then select Create Image from snapshots. This will prompt you to select the snapshot you wish to use.

Step 5: Confirm the Image Creation

A confirmation prompt will appear. Ensure the correct snapshot is selected, and click Create Image. Once the process is completed, you will see a success message.

Step 6: Access the AMI Section

On the left navigation panel, under the Images section, you should see AMIs (Amazon Machine Images). Click on AMIs to list all available machine images.

Step 7: Select the Recently Created AMI

Scroll through the list of AMIs and locate the one that you just created from the snapshot. Right-click on this AMI and select the option Launch Instance.

Step 8: Configure Instance Details

A new window will open where you can configure the details of the new instance. Here, you can choose the instance type, the number of instances, and other instance settings. Make the necessary selections, then click Review and Launch.

Step 9: Finalize the Instance Launch

Review the settings one last time, and then click Launch. This will create a new VM that is a replica of the original, based on the snapshot you provided.

Optimizing Your VM with AMI

The Amazon Machine Image (AMI) acts as the base template for your instance. You can modify and optimize the AMI to include software packages, libraries, configurations, or custom settings that you require for your new VM.

Conclusion

Creating a new VM from a snapshot is a crucial skill for any AWS user. It allows you to preserve the state of your VMs and quickly restore them during maintenance or disaster recovery scenarios. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily create a new VM that is a precise replica of the original, ensuring continuity and reliability in your cloud environment.

If you frequently need to manage VMs and restore data, consider automating your snapshot and AMI creation processes to save time and reduce errors. AWS offers a variety of automation tools and services that can help streamline your workflows.