How to automate EBS backups using AWS Missing Tools?

Use the ec2-automate-backup script by specifying EC2 volume IDs and scheduling parameters; it creates snapshots and manages retention, but check the script's options for customization. Ensure AWS CLI credentials are properly configured.

AWS Missing Tools vs AWS Backup service?

AWS Missing Tools offers CLI-based automation for specific tasks like EBS snapshots, while AWS Backup is a managed service with broader coverage, integrated scheduling, and compliance features. Choose based on need for control versus convenience.

Is AWS Missing Tools still actively maintained?

Check the GitHub repository for recent commits and issue activity; maintenance appears sporadic, so verify tool compatibility with your AWS environment version before relying on it for production.

How to install AWS Missing Tools on a Linux server?

Clone the GitHub repository, make the scripts executable, and ensure AWS CLI is installed with credentials set up. However, detailed installation or dependency instructions are minimal in the README.

Can AWS Missing Tools apply alarms to RDS instances?

Yes, rds-apply-alarms automates applying CloudWatch alarms to RDS instances, but you must have the necessary IAM permissions and monitor for any AWS API changes that might affect functionality.

What are the security best practices for using iam-keyfind?

Use iam-keyfind with read-only IAM permissions to audit access keys, and run it in secure environments to prevent exposure. Always follow AWS security guidelines and rotate keys regularly for compliance.

Open-Awesome

aws-missing-tools

Shell

A suite of command-line tools extending AWS CLI functionality for EC2, RDS, IAM, CloudFormation, and Route53 management.

GitHub

1.3k stars399 forks0 contributors

What is aws-missing-tools?

AWS Missing Tools is a suite of command-line utilities that extends the functionality of Amazon's official AWS CLI. It provides specialized scripts for managing AWS resources like EC2, RDS, IAM, CloudFormation, and Route53, addressing gaps in native tooling for common administrative tasks such as automated backups, high-availability deployments, and infrastructure monitoring.

Target Audience

DevOps engineers, cloud administrators, and AWS users who manage infrastructure via command line and need more automation and specialized utilities beyond the standard AWS CLI.

Value Proposition

Developers choose AWS Missing Tools because it offers focused, single-purpose scripts that automate repetitive AWS management tasks, saving time and reducing manual errors, while adhering to Unix philosophy for simplicity and composability.

Overview

tools for managing AWS resources including EC2, EBS, RDS, IAM, CloudFormation and Route53.

Use Cases

Best For

Automating EBS snapshot backups across multiple EC2 volumes
Performing zero-downtime replacements of EC2 instances in Auto Scaling Groups
Applying CloudWatch alarms to Auto Scaling Groups and RDS instances
Migrating Route53 DNS zones between AWS accounts
Auditing IAM access keys for security compliance
Injecting userdata scripts into CloudFormation templates dynamically

Not Ideal For

Teams using Infrastructure as Code tools like Terraform for end-to-end management
Projects requiring graphical interfaces or dashboards for AWS operations
Organizations with strict policies mandating only AWS-native or certified tools

Pros & Cons

Pros

Automated EBS Backups

ec2-automate-backup simplifies snapshot creation for multiple volumes with a single command, reducing manual effort as per the README.

Zero-Downtime Deployments

aws-ha-release enables high-availability replacement of EC2 instances in Auto Scaling Groups behind ELB, ensuring no service interruption directly from the tool description.

CloudWatch Alarm Automation

Tools like as-apply-alarms automate applying alarms to Auto Scaling Groups, saving time on bulk configurations mentioned in the README.

Route53 Zone Migration

route53-migrate-zone facilitates easy migration of DNS zones between AWS accounts or zones, addressing a gap in native tools as described.

Cons

Fragmented Toolset

The suite consists of separate scripts without a unified interface, requiring individual setup and management, which can be cumbersome.

Limited Documentation

The README provides only basic descriptions without detailed examples or troubleshooting guides, relying on user familiarity with AWS CLI.

Maintenance Risks

As a community project, it may not be updated regularly to match AWS API changes, potentially leading to compatibility issues over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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