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Hello,
As I understand, you would like to know about the minimal default and 6.1 versions of Amazon Linux 2023 (AL2023) along with the minimal version pricing and AL2023 updates.
The kernel 6.1 in the AMI name indicates the kernel version number. Please review the following link [1] to an AWS document for further information on the AMI name format. "Default" may change the kernel version in the future.
[1] Get started with Amazon Linux 2023 - Launching Amazon Linux 2023 (AL2023) using the Amazon EC2 console - https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/get-started.html#launch-from-ec2-console
Regarding updates, AL2023 locks to a specific version of your repository. The AL2023 AMI shown in the EC2 launch wizard will always be the latest and have the most up to date packages and updates, including critical and important security updates. Updates are provided via a combination of new AMI (Amazon Machine Image) releases and corresponding new repositories. By default, a new AMI and the repository to which it points are coupled, but you can point your running Amazon EC2 instances to newer repository versions over time in order to consume updates on running instances. You can also update by launching new instances of the latest AMIs.
If you need to control package updates, you can discover available repository versions to update to by running “dnf check-release-update”, and select a version by running the listed command, “dnf —releasever=version update”. At that point, “dnf install” or “dnf upgrade“ will only choose packages from the selected repository version. If you do not need to control package updates, you can select the “latest” version, which will always point to the most recent version of the AL2023 repositories. Please refer to a link [2] shown below for more information and the steps to manage packages and OS updates on Amazon Linux 2023 including adding and enabling new repositories.
[2] Managing packages and operating system updates - https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/managing-repos-os-updates.html
There is no additional charge for running Amazon Linux 2023. Standard Amazon EC2 and AWS charges apply for running Amazon EC2 instances and other services. Please note that the marketplace versions could differ and in this case, it is recommended to review the marketplace AMI details for further information on pricing details.
=> Amazon Linux 2023 FAQs - https://aws.amazon.com/linux/amazon-linux-2023/faqs/
I believe you will find the above information useful. Please feel free to contact AWS by opening a support case in case there are any further questions related to your EC2 instances running on Amazon Linux 2023.
=> Creating support cases and case management - https://docs.aws.amazon.com/awssupport/latest/user/case-management.html
Hello,
Greetings and thank you for your reply.
Yes, the "Default" may change kernel version in the future and will be the latest kernel version that ships with the OS. The default kernel is the latest considering security, hardening, and performance.
With AL2 we introduced newer kernels during its lifetime, and wanted to start AL2023 with SSM parameters where customers could choose to just take the default we select for that release of AL2023, or to pin to a specific major version if they have some requirement to stay within that one, or if they try a new default and need to temporarily revert to the old one for a bit.
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is the default kernel always the latest kernel? Or is the 6.1 kernel the latest one? Why would i want to choose the default one over the 6.1 version? Is the default one always the most stable kernel?