Python Boto - Creating EC2 Instance

Python Boto is a powerful python module to interact with AWS environment. In this we will look into a simple way to create an instance.

#!/usr/bin/python

import boto.ec2

# Create a connection to a region. For example us-west-1

# Check in your AWS console or with your AWS administrator

ec2conn = boto.ec2.connect_to_region(<aws-region>)

# Create EC2 instance

createdInstance =  ec2conn.run_instances(

              <AMI to be used for Instance creation>,

              key_name= <Security Key to be used>,

              instance_type=<Type of instance e.g. t2.micro>,

              security_groups= <Array of security groups to be attached>,

              instance_profile_name= <IAM Role to be associated>)

# Get the instance details object

 instance = createdInstance.instances[0]

# Before doing anything make sure the instance is in running instance

while instance.update() != "running":

     time.sleep(10)

     print("Instance is still not up")

# Finally instance is in running.

print("Instance is running")

# Still we need to wait. The instance may not be reachable Find the status

status=ec2conn.get_all_instance_status(instance_ids=instance.id)

# Instance has to be fully up so that it is reachable. 

# Keep trying till is is reachable

while (status[0].system_status.details["reachability"] != 'passed'):

            time.sleep(10)

print("Add the tag")

instance.add_tag('Name', 'My EC2 Instance' )

# Stop the instance otherwise it will cost $$$$$

ec2conn.stop_instances(instance.id)