AWS: error while creating AMI from a Debian12 iso - ClientError: Unsupported kernel version 6.1.0

Question

What Linux Kernel Versions are Acceptable for AMI Import to AWS ?

We have a Debian12 (Bookworm) ISO and want to create an AMI using this iso.
We followed the steps from AWS [documentation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/vm-import/latest/userguide/vmimport-image-import.html) Importing a VM as an image using VM Import/Export but getting the below error.

`"ClientError: Unsupported kernel version 6.1.0-7-amd64"
`

**Steps followed** 
* Export image from VirtulBox
* Upload the image to S3
* Import the VM using the below command

`aws ec2 import-image --description "Debian 12 (Bookwarm) AMI" --disk-containers "file://containers.json"
`

**containers.json**
```
[
    {
     "Description":"vm import",
     "Format":"ova",
     "UserBucket": {
        "S3Bucket": "debian12-iso",
        "S3Key": "Debian12_Bookwarm.ova"
}
}]

```

**Check upload status**

`aws ec2 describe-import-image-tasks --import-task-ids import-ami-074992884b301a9e7
`

**Error Message:**

```
{
    "ImportImageTasks": [
        {
            "Description": "Debian 12 (Bookwarm) AMI",
            "ImportTaskId": "import-ami-074992884b301a9e7",
            "SnapshotDetails": [
                {
                    "DeviceName": "/dev/sde",
                    "DiskImageSize": 1346003968.0,
                    "Format": "VMDK",
                    "Status": "completed",
                    "UserBucket": {
                        "S3Bucket": "debian12-iso",
                        "S3Key": "Debian12_Bookwarm.ova"
                    }
                }
            ],
            "Status": "deleted",
            "StatusMessage": "ClientError: Unsupported kernel version 6.1.0-7-amd64",
            "Tags": []
        }
    ]
}
```

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately **Debian12** is not supported in **VM Import/Export**.

**Supported Debian:**

| Version | Kernel |
| --- | --- |
| 6.0.0–6.0.8| 2.6.32 |
| 7.0.0–7.8.0 | 3.2 |
| 10 | 4.19.0 |
| 11 | 5.10.0 |

Please find the list of Linux/Unix OS (64-bit only) which can be imported to and exported from Amazon EC2 [here](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/vm-import/latest/userguide/prerequisites.html#vmimport-operating-systems-linux).

You may consider using [AWS Application Migration Service](https://aws.amazon.com/application-migration-service/).
* [What Is AWS Application Migration Service?](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/mgn/latest/ug/what-is-application-migration-service.html)

Answer

For kernels not supported by VM Import,  you can do a [Snapshot Import](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/vm-import/latest/userguide/vmimport-import-snapshot.html).

Snapshot import does not check kernel version. As it does not inject the necessary drivers for your OS to run on AWS, you will need to install them in your OS. These are Xen PV drivers and NVMe/ENA drivers for HVM and [Nitro](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/instance-types.html#ec2-nitro-instances) instance types respectively.

You can use the script at  [Why is my Linux instance not booting after I changed its type to a Nitro-based instance type?](https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/boot-error-linux-nitro-instance) to ensure your OS works with Nitro instance types.

To assist with trouble-shooting after importing, you can enable [Serial Console](https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/whats-new/2021/03/introducing-ec2-serial-console/). Note that this is only supported on Nitro instance types.

AWS: error while creating AMI from a Debian12 iso - ClientError: Unsupported kernel version 6.1.0

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