Core concept
Bake config into AMI: fast start, no runtime config drift. Configure at boot: flexible but slower + risk drift.
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How it works
Packer builds AMIs from templates. EC2 Image Builder: managed. Both integrate with CI/CD for regular refresh.
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Trade-offs + gotchas
Prod fleets. Compliance (baked security config). Fast auto-scaling (no config on boot). Enterprises.