Amazon Linux 2 Migration via Ascender

Overview

Amazon Linux 2 migration uses a blue/green architecture. The playbook assesses the AL2 source instance, provisions a Rocky 9.6 LTS target from the AWS Marketplace, enrolls it in CIQ Depot, and generates a migration report. The source instance is never modified. This guide covers deploying this workflow through CIQ's Ascender. For standalone Ansible, see Standalone Ansible.

Prerequisites

In addition to standard Ascender setup:

AWS credentials with ec2:RunInstances, ec2:DescribeInstances, ec2:DescribeImages, ec2:CreateTags permissions
AWS Marketplace subscription for Rocky Linux 9.6 LTS from CIQ
AL2 source instances must have AWS CLI installed
IMDS must be reachable on source instances

Ascender Setup

1. Create a Project

Same as EL8/EL9 (see EL 9 via Ascender).

2. Create Credentials

Machine credential for SSH to AL2 source instances
CIQ Depot credential (custom type, see EL 9 via Ascender)
AWS credential (Ascender built-in type: Amazon Web Services)

3. Create an Inventory

Name: al2-migration-sources
Add AL2 source instances
Alternatively, use Ascender's AWS EC2 dynamic inventory source with a filter for Amazon Linux 2 instances

4. Create a Job Template

Name: migrate2rlc AL2
Inventory: al2-migration-sources
Project: migrate2rlc
Playbook: migrate2rlc.yml
Credentials: Machine, CIQ Depot, Amazon Web Services
Extra Variables:
```
depot_tier: rlc-96-lts
```
Forks: 5 (each run provisions a new instance, limit concurrency)

5. Run and Monitor

Launch the Job Template. The playbook:

Detects Amazon Linux 2 and routes to the AL2 path
Runs system inventory (16 collectors)
Runs compatibility analysis
Resolves the correct Marketplace AMI for the region and architecture
Provisions a Rocky 9.6 LTS target instance
Enrolls the target in CIQ Depot
Copies configuration files and certificates to the target
Generates a completion report

After the job completes, the target instance is running Rocky 9.6 LTS with depot configured. Manual data migration and application deployment follow.

Extra Variables Reference

Variable	Required	Default	Description
depot_tier	Yes	none	rlc-pro or rlc-96-lts (rlc-plus not supported for AL2)
depot_username	Yes	none	CIQ Portal username
depot_token	Yes	none	CIQ Portal token
al2_assess_only	No	false	Run assessment only, do not provision target

Standalone Ansible Alternative


ansible-playbook migrate2rlc.yml \
  -i al2_host, \
  -e depot_tier=rlc-96-lts \
  -e depot_username=YOUR_USER \
  -e depot_token=YOUR_TOKEN

DISCLAIMER

The migrate2rlc script and playbook are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Use of these tools is entirely at your own risk. CIQ, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for any data loss, system downtime, service disruption, or other damage resulting from the use or misuse of these tools. It is the user's responsibility to ensure adequate backups and testing in a non-production environment before performing any migration on production systems.

EL 8 Migration via Ascender Standalone Ansible Playbook