AWS AppConfig is a service designed for centralized management of application configurations. It helps in the deployment of application configuration in a managed and monitored way.
Following is an example of how to define and deploy AWS AppConfig:
# Define an application
app = appconfig.create_application(Name='AppConfigSampleApp')
# Define an environment for this application
environment = appconfig.create_environment(ApplicationId=app['ApplicationId'], Name='AppConfigSampleEnvironment')
# Define a configuration profile for this application
profile = appconfig.create_configuration_profile(ApplicationId=app['ApplicationId'], Name='AppConfigSampleProfile', LocationUri='ssm://parameter-name')
# Deploy the configuration to the environment
deployment = appconfig.start_deployment(ApplicationId=app['ApplicationId'], EnvironmentId=environment['EnvironmentId'], ConfigurationProfileId=profile['ConfigurationProfileId'], DeploymentStrategyId='AppConfig.AllAtOnce')
II. AWS Secrets Manager:
This is a service that helps in the storage, retrieval, and maintenance of secrets, like API keys and database credentials, without upfront server setup.
Here’s how you can retrieve secret data using AWS Secrets Manager:
import boto3
# Create a Secrets Manager client
client = boto3.client('secretsmanager')
try:
response = client.get_secret_value(SecretId='MyTestSecret')
except Exception as e:
print('Error Occurred: ' + e.response['Error']['Message'])
else:
# Decrypted secret using the associated KMS CMK
# Depending on whether the secret was a string or binary, only one of these fields will be populated
if 'SecretString' in response:
text_secret_data = response['SecretString']
else:
binary_secret_data = base64.b64decode(response['SecretBinary'])
III. AWS Parameter Store:
Part of AWS Systems Manager, it offers secure storage for configuration data management and secrets, and allows you to store data such as passwords, database strings, Amazon Machine Image (AMI) IDs, and license codes as parameter values.
A sample code snippet to get parameters from Parameter Store:
import boto3
ssm = boto3.client('ssm', region_name='us-east-1')
response = ssm.get_parameters(Names=['parameter_name'], WithDecryption=True)
for parameter in response['Parameters']:
print("Name: ", parameter['Name'])
print("Value: ", parameter['Value'])
The table below offers a comparison between the services:
| Service | Use Case |
|---|---|
| AWS AppConfig | Managed, monitored application configuration deployment |
| AWS Secrets Manager | Secure storage and retrieval of secrets |
| AWS Parameter Store | Secure data storage and management of secrets and configuration data |
In conclusion, AWS offers multiple services to access application configuration data and choosing the right one depends on your specific use case. For the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam (DVA-C02), understanding these services can be crucial in solving application configuration management related questions. Understanding how to use AWS AppConfig, Secrets Manager, and Parameter Store is a valuable skill, not only for this certification but also for the administration and development of cloud applications.
Practice Test
True or False: AWS AppConfig is used to create, manage, and quickly deploy application configurations.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: AWS AppConfig is a service that enables you to create, read, update, and delete configuration data for your applications.
In AWS, where can you securely store and manage sensitive information?
- A) AWS RDS
- B) AWS S3
- C) AWS Parameter Store
- D) AWS Lambda
Answer: C) AWS Parameter Store
Explanation: AWS Parameter Store is a part of AWS System Manager that provides secure, scalable storage for configuration data management and secrets management.
True or False: AWS Secrets Manager does not protect access to applications, services, and IT resources.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: AWS Secrets Manager protects access to applications, services, and IT resources without upfront long-term commitments.
Which of the following services allow you to manage your configuration data centrally? (Multiple Select)
- A) AWS AppConfig
- B) AWS Secrets Manager
- C) AWS Parameter Store
- D) None of the above
Answer: A) AWS AppConfig and C) AWS Parameter Store
Explanation: Both AWS AppConfig and AWS Parameter Store allow you to manage your configuration data centrally.
Which AWS service is best for rotating, managing and retrieving database credentials, API keys, and other secrets throughout their lifecycle?
- A) AWS Secrets Manager
- B) AWS Appconfig
- C) AWS S3
- D) AWS Parameter Store
Answer: A) AWS Secrets Manager
Explanation: AWS Secrets Manager is a secrets management service that helps you protect access to your applications, services, and IT resources.
True or False: It is not possible to set up dynamic properties in application code with AWS AppConfig.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: With AWS AppConfig, you can set up dynamic properties in your application code that can be updated as per your requirement.
With ______, you can enable applications to retrieve configuration data directly at runtime.
- A) AWS S3
- B) AWS AppConfig
- C) AWS RDS
- D) AWS EC2
Answer: B) AWS AppConfig
Explanation: AWS AppConfig uses the systems manager capability of AWS to enable applications to retrieve configuration data directly at runtime.
Can AWS Secrets Manager automate the process of rotating secrets for databases?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: A) Yes
Explanation: AWS Secrets Manager can indeed automate the process of rotating secrets for Amazon RDS, Amazon DocumentDB, and Amazon Redshift.
AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store can store ______.
- A) Plain-text data
- B) Encrypted data
- C) Both plain-text and encrypted data
- D) None of the above
Answer: C) Both plain-text and encrypted data
Explanation: AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store is capable of storing both plain-text data and encrypted data.
True or False: AWS AppConfig does not support JSON and YAML for configurations.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: AWS AppConfig supports several formats for configurations, including JSON and YAML.
Interview Questions
What is AWS AppConfig used for?
AWS AppConfig is used to manage, deploy, and monitor applications’ configurations. It simplifies the process of rolling out application configurations across applications hosted on EC2 instances, Lambda functions, containers, and mobile applications.
What is the purpose of AWS Secrets Manager?
AWS Secrets Manager helps to securely store and manage sensitive information like API keys, passwords, and database credentials. It protects access to applications, services, and IT resources, without the upfront investment and on-going maintenance costs of operating one’s own infrastructure.
How does the AWS Parameter Store assist in software deployment?
AWS Parameter Store allows developers to store configuration data and secrets securely and access them from their applications easily. It integrates with AWS IAM, allowing fine-grained access control and easy management of plaintext and encrypted parameters.
In which AWS service would you save your database password to ensure it is not hard-coded in your application and can rotate automatically?
You would use AWS Secrets Manager for this purpose.
What are the benefits of using AWS AppConfig over directly embedding configuration in the application code?
AWS AppConfig allows developers to manage application configuration outside of the application code, which enhances application manageability, reduces error rates, and allows faster deployment compared to hard-coding configurations within the application.
In what formats can AWS AppConfig host configuration files?
AWS AppConfig can host configuration files in JSON, YAML, and text formats.
How does AWS AppConfig allow for safer deployment of application configuration changes?
AWS AppConfig provides validation checks to ensure that the configuration data is accurate, correct and meets specified criteria before deployment. It reduces errors and potential system downtime from faulty configuration data.
How does AWS Secrets Manager handle the automatic rotation of secrets for RDS, DocumentDB, and Amazon Redshift databases?
AWS Secrets Manager has built-in support for these databases. It automatically creates a Lambda function that handles the rotation process, and can be scheduled to rotate secrets automatically at a frequency you define.
Is AWS Parameter Store appropriate for storing sensitive data?
Yes, AWS Parameter Store is suitable for storing sensitive data. This service allows for encryption of sensitive information using AWS Key Management Service (KMS), providing a secure location to store critical data.
How are parameters stored and retrieved in AWS Parameter Store?
Parameters in AWS Parameter Store are stored as plaintext or ciphertext, based on the user specification. They can be retrieved as plaintext or decrypted ciphertext through API calls or from the AWS management console.
How does AWS AppConfig integrate with AWS Systems Manager?
AWS AppConfig is a feature of AWS Systems Manager. It uses the Systems Manager capabilities to deploy application configurations across a wide range of AWS services, monitor configurations to ensure they are operating as expected, and roll back changes when necessary.
How does AWS Secrets Manager provide access control for secrets?
AWS Secrets Manager integrates with AWS IAM, allowing you to create fine-grained policies to control access to secrets. You can specify who can create, read, and write secrets, or even deny access to all but certain AWS resources.
Is there a size limit for the parameters stored in AWS Parameter Store?
Yes, the maximum size limit of a parameter including its data and metadata is 64KB in the Standard tier and up to 8KB in the Advanced tier.
How does AWS Secrets Manager enhance the security of data stored?
AWS Secrets Manager enhances the security of stored data by encrypting secrets at rest using keys that you own and control through AWS Key Management Service (KMS). You can also configure Amazon CloudWatch Events to respond to state changes to your secrets.
Can configuration data stored in AWS AppConfig be validated before deployment?
Yes, AppConfig allows you to validate your configuration data syntax or semantic content before deploying the changes. You can define AWS Lambda functions to make any type of validation testing that suits your application needs.
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