EC2-Backup-and-Restore

EC2 Backup and Restore is crucial for ensuring data protection, business continuity, and compliance. Backups prevent data loss, enable quick recovery from failures, and minimize downtime. In addition, backup/restore support disaster recovery, safeguard against threats like ransomware, and facilitate testing.

Step 1: Create an EC2 instance

Create an EC2 instance or choose a prepared instance you would like to backup. We will be using instance TEST-Public as the the backup instance.

Step 2: SSH/Connect into Backup instance

Connect to the instance using SSH or an alternative method. Use command ssh -i your-key.pem ec2-user@your-instance-ip or the PuTTY application to SSH.

Step 3: Create a new file (Optional)

Create a new file example.txt using the nano text editor. Use command touch example.txt to create the file then command nano example.txt to edit and type something in! Press CTRL + X then Y to save. If done correctly, you can view the text you entered by using command cat example.txt.

Step 4: Create EC2 Image

Next, select the backup instance then go to Actions > Images and templates > Create image.

Step 4: Launch and restore using EC2 Image

Head over the the left tab and select AMIs under Images. Select the image created from the backup instance then select Launch instance from AMI

Step 5: Verify restoration

To verify if the backup instance was successfuly restored, SSH into the new instance created from the backup instance. Then use command: cat example.txt to view the file and its contents.

Congratulations! You've successfully backed-up and restored an EC2 instance!

Notes

When using Instance Connect, connect as ec2-user.

Reference

SSH command: ssh -i your-key.pem ec2-user@your-instance-ip

Create file: touch example.txt

Edit file: nano example.txt

List files: ls -l