I am trying to create an Amazon EC2 instance. I want to create a micro, 64-bit, Ubuntu 12.04 LTS instance.
In Amazon Web Services I have seen all instance have AMI numbers. Now I found two ami(s) with numbers ami-8a7f3ed8 and ami-b8a8e9ea. both looks same to me – micro, ebs-based, 64-bit Ubuntu 12.04LTS images.
If so, what is the difference and why two number for the same machine image?
When selecting an AMI, select from a trusted source.
The AMI number is just a unique identifier for a particular image that someone published. The title (e.g. Ubuntu 12.04LTS) is just a claim by the person who published the AMI about what is on it.
If you get your AMI from a source that is not known to be trustworthy, it could potentially contain built-in security holes, pre-installed spam relays, etc.
From Amazon
http://docs.amazonwebservices.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/AESDG-chapter-usingsharedamis.html#usingsharedamis-security
Personally I select AMIs published well-known entities like Amazon or RighScale.