This lab did not work for me. After trying to launch a new instance based on my encrypted AMI, I got the error “No valid instance types found.”

It seems this only works with m3 instance types due to the Virtualization Type=Paravirtual, but there don’t seem to be any other real options available.</div

Take a Snapshot

• Stop the instance before taking the snapshot.  This will ensure the OS and application cache is cleared and provide consistent data.
  • Actions > Instance State > Stop < [Yes, Stop]
• Volumes > Select volume > Actions > Create Snapshot
  • Note you cannot encrypt this snapshot!

Copy the Snapshot

• Snapshots > Select Snapshot > Actions > Copy
  • Select Region
  • Change Name?
  • Encrypt!  (Will use default key)

Create an Image from the Snapshot

• Snapshots > Select Snapshot > Actions > Create Image
  • This creates a custom AMI (Amazon Machine Image)!

Launch a new instance from the new AMI

• Dashboards > AMIs > Select AMI > [Launch]

Exam Tips

• To create a snapshot for Amazon EBS volumes that serve as root devices, you should stop the instance before taking the snapshot.
• Snapshots of encrypted volumes are encrypted automatically.
• Volumes restored from encrypted snapshots are encrypted automatically.
• You can share snapshots, but only if they are unencrypted.
  • These snapshots can be shared with other AWS accounts or made public, or even sold on the store.