Automate EC2 Instance Migration Between AWS VPCs Using PowerShell

Migrating EC2 instances between Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) in AWS can be a daunting task if performed manually, especially in large-scale environments. Thankfully, PowerShell simplifies this process, enabling automation that saves time and minimizes errors. In this blog post, we'll walk through how to create and execute a PowerShell script to move an EC2 instance from one VPC to another.

Why Automate EC2 Instance Migration?

Migrating instances is often necessary when reorganizing resources, improving security, or adapting to changing infrastructure needs. Automation offers several advantages:

Efficiency: Handle multiple migrations quickly without repetitive manual effort.

Consistency: Reduce human errors and maintain uniformity.

Scalability: Manage migrations for multiple instances across regions and accounts.

Prerequisites

Before running the PowerShell script, ensure you have the following:

• AWS Tools for PowerShell: Install the AWS.Tools module.
• AWS CLI Configuration: Set up AWS CLI with access credentials
• IAM Permissions: Ensure your AWS user has the following permissions:
  • ec2:DescribeInstances
  • ec2:CreateSnapshot
  • ec2:CreateImage
  • ec2:RunInstances
  • ec2:DeleteSnapshot

Key Steps in Migration

Moving an EC2 instance between VPCs involves these key steps:

Stop the Instance: Safely stop the EC2 instance and wait until it transitions to the stopped state.

Captures Instance Details: Retrieve the instance type and tags for replication

Create an AMI: Generate an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) from the stopped instance.

Launch the Instance in the Target VPC: Use the AMI to create the instance in the target VPC, preserving the instance type and tags.

Clean Up Resources: Remove Source Instance, old snapshots and AMIs to save costs.

PowerShell Script for EC2 Migration

Here’s a complete PowerShell script to automate the migration process:

Key Features of the Script

Instance State Management: Waits for the instance to fully stop before proceeding.

Preserves Instance Configuration: Captures the instance type and all associated tags, ensuring the new instance matches the source configuration.

Notes

• Security Groups: Ensure the private subnet has the necessary security group attached for connectivity.

Conclusion

Using PowerShell to automate the migration of EC2 instances between VPCs is an efficient way to streamline your AWS operations. By customizing the script above, you can cater to your specific requirements and ensure seamless migrations with minimal disruption.

Have you tried automating EC2 instance migrations? Share your experiences or questions in the comments below!