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When building machine images for AWS, two popular tools are HashiCorp Packer and AWS EC2 Image Builder. While Packer is versatile and works across multiple cloud providers, EC2 Image Builder is AWS-native, tightly integrated, and simpler for AWS-specific AMI creation. Piotr Pabis demonstrates how to use EC2 Image Builder with Terraform to automate custom machine image builds.
🔗 Reference: AWS EC2 Image Builder by Example with Terraform
You Should Know:
1. Setting Up EC2 Image Builder with Terraform
To deploy EC2 Image Builder using Terraform, use the following configuration:
resource "aws_imagebuilder_infrastructure_configuration" "example" {
name = "example-config"
description = "Example Infrastructure Config"
instance_types = ["t3.medium"]
security_group_ids = [aws_security_group.example.id]
subnet_id = aws_subnet.example.id
terminate_instance_on_failure = true
}
resource "aws_imagebuilder_distribution_configuration" "example" {
name = "example-distribution"
distribution {
region = "us-east-1"
ami_distribution_configuration {
name = "example-ami-{{ imagebuilder:buildDate }}"
}
}
}
2. Building an AMI with EC2 Image Builder
Use AWS CLI to trigger an image build:
aws imagebuilder start-image-pipeline-execution --image-pipeline-arn arn:aws:imagebuilder:us-east-1:123456789012:image-pipeline/example-pipeline
3. Verifying the AMI Creation
Check the status of your AMI build:
aws imagebuilder list-image-pipelines --query "imagePipelineList[].name" aws ec2 describe-images --owners self --query "Images[].Name"
4. Automating with CI/CD (GitHub Actions Example)
name: Build AMI with EC2 Image Builder
on: [bash]
jobs:
build-ami:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v2
- run: |
aws imagebuilder start-image-pipeline-execution \
--image-pipeline-arn ${{ secrets.IMAGE_PIPELINE_ARN }}
5. Security Hardening for AMIs
Apply CIS benchmarks using EC2 Image Builder’s lifecycle hooks:
{
"phases": [{
"name": "build",
"steps": [{
"name": "Hardening",
"action": "ExecuteBash",
"inputs": {"commands": ["sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y clamav"]}
}]
}]
}
6. Cost Optimization Tips
- Use Spot Instances in Image Builder:
resource "aws_imagebuilder_infrastructure_configuration" "spot_example" { instance_types = ["t3.medium"] spot_price = "0.02" Max spot price }
What Undercode Say:
EC2 Image Builder simplifies AMI creation while integrating seamlessly with AWS services. For multi-cloud scenarios, Packer remains superior, but for AWS-only workflows, Image Builder + Terraform is a powerful combo.
🔹 Key Commands Recap:
– `aws imagebuilder list-components` (List available components)
– `aws ec2 describe-images –filters “Name=name,Values=example-ami”` (Find AMIs)
– `terraform apply -target=aws_imagebuilder_image_pipeline.example` (Terraform selective apply)
🔹 Linux Security Checks:
sudo lynis audit system Security auditing sudo apt-get install aide -y && sudo aideinit File integrity monitoring
🔹 Windows AMI Prep (Powershell):
Initialize-EC2ImageBuilderInstance -PipelineArn "arn:aws:imagebuilder:us-east-1:123456789012:image-pipeline/win-pipeline"
Expected Output:
✅ Custom AMI created via Terraform + EC2 Image Builder
✅ Automated security hardening applied
✅ CI/CD pipeline for AMI updates
Prediction:
AWS will enhance Image Builder with AI-driven optimization for AMIs, reducing build times and auto-applying security patches.
🔗 Further Reading:
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Darryl Ruggles – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
