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Terraform

Terraform: Get AWS Marketplace AMI Owner ID

By Ondřej Dolanský on 12/30/2024

Learn how to efficiently retrieve the owner ID of an AWS Marketplace AMI using Terraform for seamless infrastructure provisioning.

Terraform: Get AWS Marketplace AMI Owner ID

Table of Contents

Introduction

When deploying infrastructure on AWS using Terraform, you often need to reference Amazon Machine Images (AMIs). Instead of hardcoding AMI IDs, which can vary across regions and updates, you can dynamically fetch the desired AMI from the AWS Marketplace. This approach ensures you're using the latest version and simplifies AMI management in your Terraform code. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this:

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Identify the AWS Marketplace AMI: Find the specific AMI you want to use on the AWS Marketplace. Note its name and any relevant details.

  2. Use the aws_ami data source in Terraform: This data source allows you to fetch AMI information based on criteria like name, owner, and filters.

    data "aws_ami" "example" {
  most_recent = true
  filter {
    name   = "name"
    values = ["amzn-ami-hvm-*-x86_64-gp2"]
  }
  owners = ["amazon"] 
}

  3. Access the AMI ID: The aws_ami data source provides attributes like id (the AMI ID), image_location, and image_owner_alias.

    output "ami_id" {
  value = data.aws_ami.example.id
}

  4. Use the AMI ID in your Terraform configuration: Reference the output variable ami_id when defining resources like EC2 instances.

    resource "aws_instance" "example" {
  ami           = data.aws_ami.example.id
  # ... other instance configurations
}

Explanation:

  • The most_recent = true argument ensures you get the latest version of the AMI.
  • Filters help narrow down your search. In this example, we're looking for an Amazon Linux AMI with "amzn-ami-hvm" in its name.
  • Specifying owners = ["amazon"] limits the search to AMIs owned by Amazon.
  • You can customize the filters and criteria to match your desired AWS Marketplace AMI.

Code Example

This Terraform code snippet demonstrates how to find and use a Bitnami WordPress AMI from the AWS Marketplace. It uses the aws_ami data source to search for an AMI with a name starting with "bitnami-wordpress" and owned by Bitnami. The code then outputs the ID of the found AMI, which can be used in other Terraform resources, such as aws_instance, to launch an EC2 instance with the specified AMI.

This example demonstrates how to find and use a WordPress AMI from Bitnami on the AWS Marketplace.

1. Identify the AWS Marketplace AMI:

Search for "Bitnami WordPress" on the AWS Marketplace and choose the desired AMI. For this example, we'll use the "Bitnami WordPress Certified by Bitnami and WordPress" AMI.

2. Use the aws_ami data source:

data "aws_ami" "wordpress_bitnami" {
  most_recent = true
  filter {
    name   = "name"
    values = ["bitnami-wordpress-*"]
  }
  filter {
    name   = "owner-alias"
    values = ["bitnami"]
  }
}

output "ami_id" {
  value = data.aws_ami.wordpress_bitnami.id
}

3. Access the AMI ID:

The output block defines an output variable ami_id that holds the ID of the found AMI.

4. Use the AMI ID in your Terraform configuration:

resource "aws_instance" "wordpress_server" {
  ami           = data.aws_ami.wordpress_bitnami.id
  instance_type = "t2.micro"

  # ... other instance configurations like key_name, security_groups, etc.
}

Explanation:

  • We use bitnami-wordpress-* in the name filter to find AMIs with names starting with "bitnami-wordpress".
  • The owner-alias filter ensures we only consider AMIs owned by Bitnami.
  • The aws_instance resource uses the ami_id output variable to specify the AMI for the new instance.

This example demonstrates a basic setup. You can customize the filters, instance configuration, and other resources based on your specific needs and the chosen AWS Marketplace AMI.

Additional Notes

  • Finding AMI Details: You can find the AMI name, owner alias, and other details directly on the AWS Marketplace page for the AMI. Look for information under "Product details" or similar sections.
  • Owner ID vs. Owner Alias: While you can use the owner ID to filter AMIs, using the owner alias (like "bitnami") is generally more readable and less prone to errors.
  • Wildcards in Filters: Use wildcards (*) in filter values to broaden your search. For example, name = "bitnami-wordpress-*" matches AMIs with names starting with "bitnami-wordpress".
  • Multiple Filters: You can combine multiple filters within the aws_ami data source to refine your search. Terraform will find AMIs that match all specified filters.
  • most_recent Behavior: When using most_recent = true, Terraform considers factors like build date and AMI state to determine the latest version.
  • Region Considerations: AMIs are region-specific. Ensure the AMI you select from the Marketplace is available in the AWS region where you're deploying your Terraform infrastructure.
  • AMI Permissions: If you're using an AMI from the AWS Marketplace, make sure your AWS account has the necessary permissions to launch instances from that AMI. Some AMIs might require subscriptions or specific account configurations.
  • Alternative to aws_ami: For private AMIs or more complex scenarios, you can use the aws_ami_ids data source to fetch a list of AMI IDs based on specified criteria.
  • Keeping Your Code DRY: Define the aws_ami data source once and reference its output variable (ami_id) wherever needed in your Terraform code to avoid repetition and ensure consistency.
  • Testing Your Configuration: Before deploying, use terraform plan to preview the changes and verify that Terraform is correctly identifying and using the desired AWS Marketplace AMI.

Summary

This guide explains how to use an AWS Marketplace Amazon Machine Image (AMI) in your Terraform configuration.

Steps:

  1. Find your AMI: Locate the desired AMI on the AWS Marketplace and note its name and relevant details.
  2. Use aws_ami data source: Utilize the aws_ami data source in your Terraform code to fetch the AMI information. Define filters like name and owners to narrow down your search and ensure you're using the correct AMI. Set most_recent = true to always use the latest version.
  3. Access AMI ID: The aws_ami data source provides the AMI ID (id) which is crucial for launching instances.
  4. Use AMI ID in resources: Reference the output variable containing the AMI ID within your resource definitions, such as aws_instance, to launch instances using the chosen Marketplace AMI.

Benefits:

  • Automation: Streamlines the process of finding and using Marketplace AMIs.
  • Version Control: Ensures you're using the latest AMI version with most_recent = true.
  • Flexibility: Allows customization of search criteria to find the exact AMI needed.

This approach simplifies the integration of AWS Marketplace AMIs into your infrastructure as code, promoting consistency and efficiency in your deployments.

Conclusion

By combining the aws_ami data source with filters and the most_recent argument, Terraform empowers you to use AWS Marketplace AMIs dynamically. This approach ensures that your infrastructure leverages the latest AMI versions, simplifies AMI management, and keeps your Terraform code clean and efficient. Remember to consult the AWS Marketplace documentation and the specific AMI details to configure the filters and resource settings correctly for your desired setup. By following these practices, you can confidently provision and manage resources based on up-to-date AWS Marketplace AMIs within your Terraform projects.

References

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