AL202X and "rolling" releases

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At a decision point whether we stay with AWS Linux (we are solely on AWS Linux 2) and migrate to AL2023 going forward. I need to know if AL202X will support rolling (in place) upgrades. To us, this is a show stopper if AWS requires us to rebuild every system every couple years just to meet EOL deadlines.

It seems Ubuntu does support this, so that would be plan B.

Advice? Thanks.

asked 16 days ago133 views
1 Answer
0

Hi,

In-place updates under your full control are supported for AL2023:

source: https://aws.amazon.com/linux/amazon-linux-2023/faqs/

Q: How will updates for major and minor releases be provided?

A: Updates are provided via a combination of new AMI (Amazon Machine Image) releases and 
corresponding new repositories. By default, a new AMI and the repository to which it points are
 coupled, but **you can point your running Amazon EC2 instances to newer repository versions over time 
in order to consume updates on running instances**. You can also update by launching new instances 
of the latest AMIs.

Q: How can I control the updates I receive from major and minor releases?

A: AL2023 locks to a specific version of your repository. The AL2023 AMI shown in the EC2 launch 
wizard will always be the latest and have the most up to date packages and updates, including critical 
and important security updates. If you launch an EC2 instance using the AL2023 AMI via the launch
 wizard, you will always have the latest updates (same as the current experience with AL2). 
However, if you launch an instance from an older AMI, no updates will automatically be applied and
 any additional packages that are installed as part of your provisioning will map to the repository version 
from which the older AMI was built. This enables you to ensure there is consistency of package versions 
and updates across your environment, especially if you are launching multiple instances from the same AMI. **Y
ou can apply updates based on the schedule that works for you.**

Best,

Didier

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answered 16 days ago
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reviewed 16 days ago
  • So simply put, if i have a AL2023 instance I will never have to create a new instance, I can just keep upgrading that instance in-place with each major release AL2025/AL2027/AL202X, right?

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