[ec2-beta] motd: "apt-get update" before "tasksel --section server"

[Eric Hammond]

Chuck Short wrote:
> Since its based on the ec2 mirrors there is no noticable difference
> to the bootup speed when running an apt-get update when the
> ec2-set-apt-sources list script is ran.

I just ran three tests using the official Ubuntu Intrepid beta2, and
"apt-get update" took 23-25 seconds to run against the EC2 Ubuntu
mirror.  Is that not directly added to the initialization time of a new
instance?

The Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy server images I publish on http://alestic.com
consistently take 40 seconds in total from calling ec2-run-instances to
getting an ssh prompt on the box or having the user-data script run.
That includes loading the AMIs (pending stage), booting the image,
getting network, and completing initialization.

I've taken pains to do things like skipping the standard code which
attempts to adjust the CMOS clock (not possible on EC2), saving 4
seconds on boot.

We're not just talking about casual, manual use for EC2 instances.  We
also need to support systems which are firing up a number of instances
to perform automated processes.  Yes, some users will customize AMIs and
can make their own adjustments, but the more we make it easy for the
base AMI to be usable for real world applications, the better.

Again, I think it's a tough call whether or not apt-get update is
automatically run and I don't know what the right answer is for the
official images.  I just think we should clearly understand the trade
offs and costs, and I'm pretty sure startup cost is one of them.

I think it gives Ubuntu some bragging rights to have some of the fastest
starting images on EC2.

--
Eric Hammond
ehammond at thinksome.com