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amazon-ec2

How to downgrade a AWS EC2?

I have an Amazon Web Service EC2 virtual server large type. Now I want to downgrade it to small type. I want to keep the hard disk information but just download the configure of the server. The main reason is to save few bucks. How can I do this?

I think I should:

  1. stop the current instance.
  2. detach the volume from the current instance.
  3. terminate the instance.
  4. recreate a new small-type instance from scratch.
  5. attach the volume to the small-type instance.

I am not sure whether this is the correct way to do the downgrade or they have some formal way to do it. I tried to look up from the doc but couldn't find anything useful. I think someone here must be able to help me. Thank you very much.

Solution

  • I think the best way is:

    1. Snapshot the volumes from the current instance.
    2. Create the new small type instance
    3. Use the snapshot(s) to create a replica of your existing volumes.
    4. Attach the new volume(s) created to small instance.
    5. Test it and switch ElasticIP to the new instance if everything is working ok.