> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gyansetu-aws.gitbook.io/aws-cloud/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gyansetu-aws.gitbook.io/aws-cloud/ami.md).

# AMI

 An Amazon Machine Image (AMI) is a special type of virtual appliance that is used to create a virtual machine within the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud ("EC2"). It serves as the basic unit of deployment for services delivered using EC2.

 **Launch Permissions**

 The owner of an AMI determines its availability by specifying launch permissions. Launch permissions fall into the following categories.

 1\. Public -> The owner grants launch permissions to all AWS accounts. 2. Explicit -> The owner grants launch permissions to specific AWS accounts. 3. Implicit -> The owner has implicit launch permissions for an AMI.

 1\. Public -> The owner grants launch permissions to all AWS accounts. 

2\. Explicit -> The owner grants launch permissions to specific AWS accounts. 

3\. Implicit -> The owner has implicit launch permissions for an AMI.