Is it possible to create a EBS volume from and attach it to the same instance? will boto be of some help?
Yes, you will need to install the ec2-api tools http://developer.amazonwebservices.com/connect/kbcategory.jspa?categoryID=88
then use ec2-create-volume
and ec2-attach-volume
commands: http://docs.amazonwebservices.com/AWSEC2/latest/CommandLineReference/
I haven't used boto
for this and don't know if it can, but I have found boto to always make things easier if it can be used.