aws_ec2_instance Resource

Use the aws_ec2_instance InSpec audit resource to test properties of a single AWS EC2 instance.

Install

This resource is available in the Chef InSpec AWS resource pack.

For information on configuring your AWS environment for Chef InSpec and creating an InSpec profile that uses the InSpec AWS resource pack, see the Chef InSpec documentation on the AWS cloud platform.

Syntax

An aws_ec2_instance resource block declares the tests for a single AWS EC2 instance by either name or instance id.

describe aws_ec2_instance('i-01a2349e94458a507') do
  it { should exist }
end

describe aws_ec2_instance(name: 'my-instance') do
  it { should exist }
end

Parameters

One of either the EC2 instance’s ID or name must be be provided.

instance_id (required if name not provided): The ID of the EC2 instance. This is in the format of i- followed by 8 or 17 hexadecimal characters. This can be passed either as a string or as an instance_id: 'value' key-value entry in a hash.
name (required if instance_id not provided): If you have a Name tag applied to the EC2 instance, this can be used to lookup the instance. This must be passed as a name: 'value' key-value entry in a hash.

Properties

state: The current state of the EC2 Instance, for example ‘running’.
image_id: The id of the AMI used to launch the instance.
role: The IAM role attached to the instance.
launch_time: The time the instance was launched.
availability_zone: The availability zone of the instance.
security_groups: A hash containing the security group ids and names associated with the instance.
security_group_ids: The security group ids associated with the instance.
ebs_volumes: A hash containing the names and ids of any EBS volumes associated with the instance.
tags: A list of hashes with each key-value pair corresponding to an EC2 instance tag, e.g, [{:key=>"Name", :value=>"Testing Box"}, {:key=>"Environment", :value=>"Dev"}].
tags_hash: A hash, with each key-value pair corresponding to an EC2 instance tag, e.g, {"Name"=>"Testing Box", "Environment"=>"Dev"}. This property is available in InSpec AWS resource pack version 1.12.0 onwards.

There are also additional properties available. For a comprehensive list, see the API reference documentation

Examples

Test that an EC2 instance is running.

describe aws_ec2_instance(name: 'prod-database') do
  it { should be_running }
end

Test that an EC2 instance is using the correct AMI.

describe aws_ec2_instance(name: 'my-instance') do
  its('image_id') { should eq 'ami-27a58d5c' }
end

Test that an EC2 instance has the correct tag.

describe aws_ec2_instance('i-090c29e4f4c165b74') do
  its('tags') { should include(key: 'Contact', value: 'Gilfoyle') }
end

Test that an EC2 instance has the correct tag (using the tags_hash property).

describe aws_ec2_instance('i-090c29e4f4c165b74') do
  its('tags_hash') { should include('Contact' => 'Gilfoyle') }
**Regardless of the value.**

end

Test that an EC2 instance has no roles.

describe aws_ec2_instance('i-090c29e4f4c165b74') do
  it { should_not have_roles }
end

Matchers

For a full list of available matchers, see our Universal Matchers page.

This resource has the following special matchers.

exist

The control will pass if the describe returns at least one result.

Use should_not to test the entity should not exist.

it { should exist }

it { should_not exist }

has_roles

Test if the EC2 instance has any roles associated with it.

Use should_not to test the entity does not have roles.

it { should have_roles }

it { should_not have_roles }

be_pending

The be_pending matcher tests if the described EC2 instance state is pending. This indicates that an instance is provisioning. This state should be temporary.

it { should be_pending }

be_running

The be_running matcher tests if the described EC2 instance state is running. This indicates the instance is fully operational from AWS’s perspective.

it { should be_running }

be_shutting_down

The be_shutting_down matcher tests if the described EC2 instance state is shutting-down. This indicates the instance has received a termination command and is in the process of being permanently halted and de-provisioned. This state should be temporary.

it { should be_shutting_down }

be_stopped

The be_stopped matcher tests if the described EC2 instance state is stopped. This indicates that the instance is suspended and may be started again.

it { should be_stopped }

be_stopping

The be_stopping matcher tests if the described EC2 instance state is stopping. This indicates that an AWS stop command has been issued, which will suspend the instance in an OS-unaware manner. This state should be temporary.

it { should be_stopping }

be_terminated

The be_terminated matcher tests if the described EC2 instance state is terminated. This indicates the instance is permanently halted and will be removed from the instance listing in a short period. This state should be temporary.

it { should be_terminated }

be_unknown

The be_unknown matcher tests if the described EC2 instance state is unknown. This indicates an error condition in the AWS management system. This state should be temporary.

it { should be_unknown }

AWS Permissions

Your Principal will need the EC2:Client:DescribeInstancesResult action with Effect set to Allow.

You can find detailed documentation at Actions, Resources, and Condition Keys for Amazon EC2, and Actions, Resources, and Condition Keys for Identity And Access Management.