Question 1

aws-snapshot-tool vs AWS Backup: which should I use?

Accepted Answer

aws-snapshot-tool is better for lightweight, custom EBS backups with tag-based automation, while AWS Backup offers a fully managed service with broader resource support and simpler setup. Choose the tool if you prefer open-source control and cron scheduling, but opt for AWS Backup for enterprise-grade features and cross-service backups.

Question 2

How to install aws-snapshot-tool on Ubuntu?

Accepted Answer

First, install Python and the Boto library via pip, then clone the GitHub repository. Follow the README steps to configure the config.py file with AWS credentials, SNS ARN, and retention settings. Finally, set up cron jobs using the provided examples to automate snapshot runs.

Question 3

Does aws-snapshot-tool handle encrypted EBS volumes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it should work with encrypted EBS volumes since AWS snapshots preserve encryption, but ensure the IAM policy includes permissions for KMS keys if used. The tool doesn't explicitly manage encryption, so verify AWS best practices for secure backup handling.

Question 4

Can I use aws-snapshot-tool with multiple AWS accounts?

Accepted Answer

Not directly out of the box; it's configured for a single AWS account and region via the config.py file. For multi-account setups, you'd need to duplicate the script and configurations per account or modify it to assume roles, which adds complexity.

Question 5

How to monitor failures in aws-snapshot-tool?

Accepted Answer

Rely on SNS notifications for success or failure alerts, and check AWS CloudTrail logs for API errors. Since it runs via cron, also monitor system logs for execution issues, and ensure the IAM policy has sufficient permissions to avoid silent failures.

aws-snapshot-tool

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