Launch Templates

Launch templates enable you to store the launch parameters that you use to launch instances. You can use a launch template to launch instances with the same configuration repeatedly. You can also use a launch template to launch instances with different configurations based on different use cases.

Launch templates are useful when you want to launch instances with the same configuration across multiple accounts or regions. You can create a launch template in one account or region and share it with other accounts or regions.

Features of Launch Template

• Versioning: Supports versioning, allowing you to maintain multiple versions of templates and use specific versions when launching instances.
• Reusable Configurations: Provides a standardized way to save and reuse configuration settings, reducing errors and manual input.
• Flexibility: Includes parameters like instance types, AMI IDs, key pairs, security groups, user data, and tags, which can be updated and reused.
• Integration with Auto Scaling: Compatible with Auto Scaling groups, enabling efficient scaling using predefined configurations.
• Support for Mixed Instance Policies: Allows defining multiple instance types and purchasing options (On-Demand, Spot) for cost optimization.
• Elastic Graphics: Configures Elastic Graphics settings for applications needing enhanced graphics performance.
• Template Inheritance: Inherit settings from existing template versions, simplifying the creation of new templates based on previous ones.
• Cost Allocation: Simplifies tracking and cost allocation by associating tags and configurations with specific projects or business units.

Creating a Launch Template

1. Open the Amazon EC2 console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/ec2/ (opens in a new tab).
2. In the navigation pane, choose Launch Templates.
3. Choose Create launch template.
4. Enter a name for the launch template.
5. Choose Create launch template.
6. Configure the launch parameters, such as instance types, instance purchasing options, instance tags, security groups, and network interfaces.
7. Choose Save launch template.

Launching Instances Using a Launch Template

1. Open the Amazon EC2 console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/ec2/ (opens in a new tab).
2. In the navigation pane, choose Instances.
3. Choose Launch Instance.
4. Choose Launch from launch template.
5. Select the launch template that you want to use.
6. Choose Launch instance.

Updating a Launch Template

1. Open the Amazon EC2 console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/ec2/ (opens in a new tab).
2. In the navigation pane, choose Launch Templates.
3. Select the launch template that you want to update.
4. Choose Actions, Create new version.
5. Update the launch parameters.
6. Choose Save launch template.