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In this section:

Create and restore a snapshot of an SBC SWe instance (standalone or HA pair) on Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Limitations

TopicLimitations/Guidelines
Stopping an instance

To preserve data integrity, an instance must be stopped before a snapshot is taken.

Stopping an instance for HA pairs

For HA pairs, stop the standby instance first, and then stop the active instance before taking the snapshot. Stop the instance where the sbxstatus shows standby, or where it does not show active.

Restoring an instance

The snapshot of an instance is used to restore that instance alone; the snapshot cannot be used to restore another instance.

This guideline also applies to HA pairs; the snapshot of an active instance cannot be used to perform a restoration on the standby instance.

Creating a new Instance from a snapshot

If you create a brand new instance from a snapshot of an SBC, the new instance is created, but one of the instances needs to be deleted for the others to work.

For example,

  • Create snapshot of instance A.
  • Create instance B with a snapshot of instance A.
  • Delete instance A for instance B to work, or vice versa.
Creating multiple snapshotsWhen creating multiple snapshots of an instance at the same time, the following restrictions apply:
  • For single gp2, io1 or magnetic volumes, a maximum of 5 snapshots can be taken at a time.
  • For st1 or sc1 volume, a maximum of 1 snapshot can be taken at a time.

Identify the Root Device Volume ID (EBS ID) 

A Root Device Volume ID (EBS ID) is associated with each SBC instance, and is used to create a SBC SWe snapshot. Identify the applicable Root Device Volume ID (EBS ID) as follows:

  1. Navigate to the EC2 Management Console.
  2. From the left pane, select INSTANCES > Instances.
  3. Click the applicable SBC SWe instance.
  4. From the tabbed panel below, click Description.
  5. Locate and select the Root Device Value (/dev/sda1).

Create a Snapshot of the SBC SWe Instance

Note

Before beginning this process, perform a backup of the SBC SWe system.

Note
Do not modify the IOPS value while taking a snapshot or during the processes to detach and attach a volume. This can lead to an application crash.
  1. Navigate to the EC2 Management Console.
  2. From the left pane, select INSTANCES > Instances.
  3. Stop the instance for which you want to take the snapshot, and note the root volume ID (see Identify the Root Device Volume ID). If the instance is an HA pair, stop the Standby SBC instance first, and then stop the active. Take note of which of the SBC instances is active.
  4. From the left pane, select ELASTIC BLOCK STORE > Snapshots. The snapshot page displays.
  5. Click Create Snapshot. The Create Snapshot window displays. 

  6. In the Create Snapshot window:
    a. Enter the root volume ID of the instance (active instance if HA pair).
    b. Enter the desired name for the snapshot.
    c. Enter a description for the snapshot.
    d. Click Create.

  7. In the search box of the snapshot page, select the Name filter and type in a name for the snapshot. The pending status changes to completed following the creation process.

Restore the SBC SWe Instance from a Snapshot

The steps below detail how to restore an SBC SWe instance from a snapshot.

  1. Navigate to the EC2 Management Console.
  2. From the left pane, select INSTANCES > Instances.
  3. Stop the standby instance first (for an HA pair), and then stop the active instance.

  4. Detach the root volume from the instance (active if HA pair). Repeat for standby instance.
    a. Identify the root device volume ID of instance (see Identify the Root Device Volume ID).
    b. From the left pane, select ELASTIC BLOCK STORE > Volumes.
    c. Select Volume ID as the search filter and type in the volume ID.
    d. Click on the volume to select it.
    e. From the Action drop down list, select Force Detach Volumes.
    f. Click Yes, Detach. The volume is detached from the instance.


    g. From the Action drop down list, select Delete. The volume is deleted. 

  5. Create a new volume from the snapshot for the active instance. Repeat for standby instance.
    Two methods for creating a new volume are available: Method 1 or Method 2.

Create a New Volume from a Snapshot

There are two methods for creating a new volume from a snapshot: Method 1 or Method 2.

Create a new volume from the snapshot for the active instance, and then repeat for the standby instance.

Create a New Volume from the Snapshot - Method 1

  1. Navigate to the EC2 Management Console.
  2. From the left pane, select ELASTIC BLOCK STORE > Snapshot.
  3. Locate and click the snapshot you wish to use for the restoration (you can also used Name as the filter and type in the name of the snapshot).
  4. From the Action drop down list, select Create Volume. The Create Volume window displays.
  5. Select the appropriate volume type (General Purpose SSD (GP2) or Provisional IOPS SSD (IO1)).
  6. Enter the size of the volume (must be either the same as the snapshot size or bigger).
  7. Enter the value for IOPS.
  8. Choose the Availability Zone (this selection must be the same as the instance you want to restore).

  9. Click Create Volume.

Create a New Volume from the Snapshot - Method 2

  1. Navigate to the EC2 Management Console.
  2. From the left pane, select ELASTIC BLOCK STORE > Volumes.
  3. From the Action drop down list, select Create Volume. The Create Volume window displays.
  4. Select the appropriate volume type (General Purpose SSD (GP2) or Provisional IOPS SSD (IO1)).
  5. Enter the size of the volume (must be either the same as the snapshot size or bigger).
  6. Enter the value for IOPS.
  7. Choose the Availability Zone (this selection must be the same as the instance you want to restore).
  8. Enter the Snapshot ID of the snapshot you want to use for the restoration.

  9. Click Create Volume.

Attach a New Volume to the Instance

  1. Navigate to the EC2 Management Console.
  2. From the left pane, select ELASTIC BLOCK STORE > Volumes.
  3. Select the volume you created from the snapshot (search for the volume by using the snapshot ID filter).
  4. From the Action drop down list, select Attach Volume.
    1. In the Instance field, enter the instance ID or select the instance you want to restore.
    2. In Device field, type /dev/sda1.
    3. Click Attach.