Description
The Backup EC2 Instance action will create snapshots of all EBS volumes attached to an EC2 instance. In order to ensure consistency, the instance can be stopped and restarted when the snapshots are created.
For example, a backup can be done every day at 1am.
Settings
Please see Common Action Settings for a description of settings common to all action types.
Instance Identification Method
Indicate the method in which the instance is to be identified. Valid options are:
Instance ID - Identify the instance by it's unique instance ID value.
Instance Name - Identify the instance by it's "Name" tag.
Instance ID
Indicate the instance id of your EC2 instance. This value usually looks like "i-84a3dc7b". This instance must reside in the region specified. Required only if Instance Identification Method is set to "Instance ID".
Instance Name
Indicate the value of the "Name" tag of the EC2 instance. This instance must reside in the region specified. Required only if Instance Identification Method is set to "Instance Name".
Snapshot Name
Optional. After each snapshot is created, this value is placed in the "Name" tag for the newly created snapshot. Macros can be used to include run-time data.
Description
Optional. Each snapshot can have a description saved with it. Macros can be used to include run-time data.
Consistency Method
Indicate the method in which to ensure volume consistency. Currently, two options exist:
None - do nothing
Stop Instance - Stop and restart the instance
Deregister from Load Balancers
If the instance will be stopped, indicate whether the instance should also be deregistered from any load balancers. The instance will automatically be re-registered with the load balancers.
EC2 Tags
Optional. EC2 tags can be set once the snapshots are complete. Click "Add Tag" to add a tag and fill the tag data. Any number of tags can be set, although Amazon EC2 has a limit of 10 (including the Name tag). Macros can be used in the tag values to include run-time data.
Optional. Once the snapshot is complete, it can be copied to a different region. If the snapshot should be copied, select the target region.
Amazon Commands Used
The following Amazon AWS commands are used. The access key should have permission to execute all of them.
ec2:AssociateAddress
ec2:CreateSnapshot
ec2:CreateTags
ec2:DescribeAddresses
ec2:DescribeInstances
ec2:DescribeSnapshots
ec2:DescribeTags
ec2:StartInstances
ec2:StopInstances