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Sudarshan Yadav
Sudarshan Yadav

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Day 6 | AWS Snapshots — Simple Step By Step Guide 🚀

#aws #devops #snapshot #cloud

Name – Sudarshan Yadav, Contact - 7709877817

Email Id – sudarshanyadav4080@gmail.com

AWS Snapshots — Simple Step By Step Guide 🚀

This repo contains a very simple explanation of AWS Snapshots for quick reference.

🔹 EBS Snapshot (EC2 Disk Backup)

Steps:

  1. Select an EBS Volume
  2. Click Create Snapshot
  3. Snapshot gets stored in S3 (internally by AWS)
  4. You can restore that snapshot to a new EBS Volume
  5. Attach the volume to any EC2 instance and use it again

Simple example:

  • Before updating server → take snapshot
  • If update fails → restore snapshot → server comes back to old state

🔹 RDS Snapshot (Database Backup)

Steps:

  1. Select RDS Database
  2. Click Take Snapshot
  3. AWS stores backup of the full DB
  4. You can restore DB anytime from that snapshot

Used for:

  • Database backup
  • Database disaster recovery _______________________________________

🔹 Important Things to Remember

Feature Meaning
Incremental Only changed data stored → saves cost
Encrypted Can protect data with KMS
Cross-Region Copy Useful for disaster recovery
Manual Delete Old snapshots cost money → delete when not needed

🔥 Simple One-Line Answer for Interview

“Snapshot is a point-in-time backup of AWS storage like EBS and RDS. We take snapshots before changes and restore them when needed for backup and disaster recovery.”

📌 AWS Snapshot — 20 Interview Q&A

1️⃣ What is an AWS Snapshot?

A snapshot is a point-in-time backup of your EBS volume or database.

2️⃣ Where are EBS snapshots stored?

Stored internally in Amazon S3 (fully managed by AWS).

3️⃣ Are EBS snapshots full or incremental?

Snapshots are incremental → only changed blocks stored.

4️⃣ Why do we take a snapshot?

For backup, rollback, and disaster recovery.

5️⃣ Can we restore a snapshot?

Yes → Create a new EBS volume from a snapshot anytime.

6️⃣ Can we copy snapshots to another region?

Yes → Cross-Region Snapshot Copy for DR.

7️⃣ Are snapshots encrypted?

Yes → using AWS KMS keys.

8️⃣ Do we need to stop an EC2 instance before taking a snapshot?

No → Live backups supported (crash-consistent).

9️⃣ Do snapshots include OS & configurations?

Yes → Everything on EBS volume.

10️⃣ How do we reduce snapshot cost?

Delete unused snapshots → pay only for storage.

11️⃣ Can we share snapshots?

Yes → share with other AWS accounts (unencrypted).

12️⃣ How to automate snapshot creation?

Using DLM (Data Lifecycle Manager) or AWS Backup.

13️⃣ Can snapshots be scheduled?

Yes → via Backup Plans / DLM / Lambda cron jobs.

14️⃣ Can we convert a snapshot to an AMI?

Yes → snapshot → Create AMI → launch EC2.

15️⃣ What is a crash-consistent snapshot?

Backup while system is running → ensures data consistency.

16️⃣ Can we tag snapshots?

Yes → helps billing & organization.

17️⃣ Do snapshots save empty blocks too?

No → only stored data → cost saving.

18️⃣ If volume deleted, is data gone?

No → Snapshot keeps data safe → can recreate volume later.

19️⃣ Is snapshot restore faster?

Yes → Restore fast but lazy loading takes time for full data.

20️⃣ Snapshot vs AMI

Feature Snapshot AMI
Content Only EBS Volume data OS + Apps + Snapshots
Usage Backup/Restore Launch EC2 Instances

🔗 Connect With Me

Thank You 🙌

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