Creating Windows AMI – Amazon Cloud

This walk through can be used when creating a windows AMI.

Installed Software:

• SQL 2005 Express
• Indexer Service
• .net 2.0 SP1
• .net 3.5 SP1

Server Purpose:

• .net 2.0 web application w/ database

Instance Configuration:

• One attached volume 22gb in size. I recommend using drive letter Z: if you can. So that if you attach the volume later to another windows image you don’t accidently take a required drive letter. (normal system admin advice)

Step 1: Detach your web application’s databases

Step 2: Turn off SQL Services.

Step 3: Turn off the Indexing Service.

Step 4: Turn Off IIS

Step 5: Turn off anything else that may be accessing the hard drive and all programs Ex: antivirus software or internet explorer.

Step 6: Download and Install http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/SDelete.zip , *(delete anything that you do not want to be part of the instance now. Then empty the recycle bin.)  Then run this command : delete -c %%Your Hard Drive letter%%, repeat this for all hard drives attached to your instance.

Step 7: Bundle the image…. You can use this link http://docs.amazonwebservices.com/AWSEC2/latest/DeveloperGuide/index.html?bundling-an-ami-windows.html which caused me more trouble than it was worth or use http://developer.amazonwebservices.com/connect/entry.jspa?externalID=609 (preferred) I used this software to make the process go a lot faster. You can just right click the instance and start bundling the instance.

****BE Patient*****  BE Patient ******* BE Patient***** this process can take up to an hour or more to complete. **** BE Patient******* you can check the output window for more information.

Once complete, Register your instance. And your off. Don’t forget that your instance will need its database reattached and etc…

*note not following these guidelines can/will cause corruption to database and or files on these hard drives.

Please throw me a comment if you need help. Thanks