Automatically Create and Share AMI Across Regions using AWS Lambda Function

Introduction

AWS Lambda is a serverless computing solution that can execute code without provisioning or maintaining servers. With Lambda, you can execute code in response to events such as HTTP requests, changes in data, or updates in the system state, all while AWS handles the infrastructure, scaling, and maintenance for you. In this blog article, we will discuss the AWS Lambda function service and how to create and share AMI across regions automatically. Here, we can see how, without requiring manual involvement, you may generate AMIs, replicate them across regions, and distribute them with the appropriate accounts in a smooth workflow by utilizing AWS Lambda functions.

Key features of AWS Lambda include:

• Event-driven execution: Triggered by AWS services, APIs, or custom events.
• Automatic scaling: Scales automatically with the size and frequency of your workloads.
• Pay-as-you-go: Charges only for the compute time used, making it cost-efficient.

AWS Lambda integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, enabling powerful workflows for building modern applications, automating tasks, and processing data in real-time. It’s a cornerstone of serverless architecture, helping developers focus on writing code rather than managing servers.

About Use case

Managing Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) efficiently across multiple AWS regions is critical for organizations operating in globally distributed environments. Manually creating, copying, and sharing AMIs can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially when consistency and automation are essential for scaling operations.

Enter AWS Lambda, a serverless compute service that simplifies this process through event-driven automation. By leveraging AWS Lambda functions, you can design a seamless workflow to create AMIs, replicate them across regions, and share them with necessary accounts without manual intervention.

This blog will explore a practical use case where AWS Lambda is employed to automate AMI creation and sharing across regions. We will delve into the architecture and implementation steps using the AWS console.

Steps to Create AMI automatically using the AWS Lambda function

1. Instance creation

We will begin by creating an Amazon EC2 instance that serves as the foundation for our AMI. Once the instance is set up, we will leverage AWS Lambda to automate the AMI creation process.

2. Create a role for the AWS Lambda function

Roles and permissions are crucial when creating AWS Lambda functions in AWS because they define what actions the function can perform and on which AWS resources.

3. Add permission for roles

• AmazonEC2FullAccess
• AmazonS3FullAccess
• CloudWatchFullAccess

4. Configure the AWS Lambda function to create AMI

5. Create a test event for the AWS Lambda function

6. AWS Lambda function code for creating AMI

7. AMI is available in the Mumbai region

This automation eliminates the need for manual intervention and ensures consistent and efficient management of AMIs. Now, you can check if the AMI is available in the Mumbai region.

Steps to Share AMI automatically using the AWS Lambda function

1. Create another AWS Lambda function for sharing AMI

2. Configure the AWS Lambda function for sharing AMI

3. Test event for AMI sharing

4. AWS Lambda function code for sharing AMI automatically

5. AMI automatically shared into another region using the above AWS Lambda function

With the help of AWS Lambda, we successfully automated the process of sharing an AMI from the Mumbai region to other target regions. This automation simplifies complex tasks, enabling seamless replication of AMIs without manual intervention.

Conclusion

This use case highlights the versatility of AWS Lambda and its ability to integrate with other AWS services to deliver robust, automated solutions. Adopting similar practices will unlock new opportunities for innovation and operational efficiency in your cloud environment.

Drop a query if you have any questions regarding AWS Lambda and we will get back to you quickly.

About CloudThat

CloudThat is a leading provider of Cloud Training and Consulting services with a global presence in India, the USA, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Specializing in AWS, Microsoft Azure, GCP, VMware, Databricks, and more, the company serves mid-market and enterprise clients, offering comprehensive expertise in Cloud Migration, Data Platforms, DevOps, IoT, AI/ML, and more.

CloudThat is the first Indian Company to win the prestigious Microsoft Partner 2024 Award and is recognized as a top-tier partner with AWS and Microsoft, including the prestigious ‘Think Big’ partner award from AWS and the Microsoft Superstars FY 2023 award in Asia & India. Having trained 650k+ professionals in 500+ cloud certifications and completed 300+ consulting projects globally, CloudThat is an official AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, Microsoft Gold Partner, AWS Training Partner, AWS Migration Partner, AWS Data and Analytics Partner, AWS DevOps Competency Partner, AWS GenAI Competency Partner, Amazon QuickSight Service Delivery Partner, Amazon EKS Service Delivery Partner,  AWS Microsoft Workload Partners, Amazon EC2 Service Delivery Partner, Amazon ECS Service Delivery Partner, AWS Glue Service Delivery Partner, Amazon Redshift Service Delivery Partner, AWS Control Tower Service Delivery Partner, AWS WAF Service Delivery Partner, Amazon CloudFront, Amazon OpenSearch, AWS DMS and many more.