Automating Deployments on Amazon EC2 Instances: Configuration and Application Management

Automating Deployments on Amazon EC2 Instances

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Question

You have implemented a system to automate deployments of your configuration and application dynamically after an Amazon EC2 instance in an Auto Scaling group is launched.

Your system uses a configuration management tool that works in a standalone configuration, where there is no master node.

Due to the volatility of application load, new instances must be brought into service within three minutes of the launch of the instance operating system.

The deployment stages take the following times to complete:

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

Answer - B.

Since the new instances need to be brought up in 3 minutes , hence the best option is to pre-bake all the components into an AMI.

If you try to user the User Data option , it will just take time , based on the time mentioned in the question to install and configure the various components.

For more information on AMI design please see the below link:

https://aws.amazon.com/answers/configuration-management/aws-ami-design/

The question presents a scenario where an organization needs to automate the deployment of configuration and application after launching an EC2 instance in an Auto Scaling group. The deployment process needs to be completed within three minutes due to the volatility of application load. The organization is using a configuration management tool that works in a standalone configuration without a master node.

The available options to implement this automation are:

Option A: Configure your Auto Scaling launch configuration with an Amazon EC2 UserData script to install the agent, pull configuration artifacts and application code from an Amazon S3 bucket, and then execute the agent to configure the infrastructure and application.

This option involves using the UserData script to automate the installation of the agent, pull configuration artifacts and application code from an S3 bucket, and then execute the agent to configure the infrastructure and application. This option is the most straightforward and does not require building custom Amazon Machine Images. It also meets the requirement of completing the deployment within three minutes. However, this option may require additional effort to configure the UserData script correctly.

Option B: Build a custom Amazon Machine Image that includes all components pre-installed, including an agent, configuration artifacts, application frameworks, and code. Create a startup script that executes the agent to configure the system on startup.

This option involves building a custom Amazon Machine Image that includes all components pre-installed, including an agent, configuration artifacts, application frameworks, and code. A startup script is created that executes the agent to configure the system on startup. This option eliminates the need to install and configure the agent on each EC2 instance, making the deployment process faster. However, creating custom Amazon Machine Images can be time-consuming and may require additional effort to maintain.

Option C: Build a custom Amazon Machine Image that includes the configuration management agent and application framework pre-installed. Configure your Auto Scaling launch configuration with an Amazon EC2 UserData script to pull configuration artifacts and application code from an Amazon S3 bucket, and then execute the agent to configure the system.

This option involves building a custom Amazon Machine Image that includes the configuration management agent and application framework pre-installed. The Auto Scaling launch configuration is configured with a UserData script to pull configuration artifacts and application code from an S3 bucket and execute the agent to configure the system. This option combines the advantages of options A and B, as it eliminates the need to install and configure the agent on each EC2 instance and does not require building custom Amazon Machine Images with all components pre-installed.

Option D: Create a web service that polls the Amazon EC2 API to check for new instances that are launched in an Auto Scaling group. When it recognizes a new instance, execute a remote script via SSH to install the agent, SCP the configuration artifacts and application code, and finally execute the agent to configure the system.

This option involves creating a web service that polls the Amazon EC2 API to check for new instances launched in an Auto Scaling group. When a new instance is recognized, a remote script is executed via SSH to install the agent, SCP the configuration artifacts and application code, and execute the agent to configure the system. This option provides flexibility and can be used with any configuration management tool. However, it requires additional effort to set up and maintain the web service and execute remote scripts via SSH.

In conclusion, Option A is the most straightforward and meets the requirement of completing the deployment within three minutes. However, options B and C eliminate the need to install and configure the agent on each EC2 instance. Option D provides flexibility but requires additional effort to set up and maintain.