AWS Systems Manager - Certified Solutions Architect Exam Guide

Overview of AWS Systems Manager

AWS Systems Manager is a management service that enables you to gain operational insights and automate operational tasks across your AWS infrastructure. It helps you maintain security, improve visibility into resource groups, and streamline operations through automation.

Key Concepts for the Exam

Operational Management

AWS Systems Manager provides a unified user interface that allows you to view operational data from multiple AWS services and automate tasks across your AWS resources.

• Resource Groups: Group your AWS resources by application, environment, or other criteria to manage and automate tasks more efficiently.
• Operations Dashboard: Monitor operational data from AWS resources across your environment, helping you maintain control over your AWS infrastructure.

Automation

AWS Systems Manager offers automation capabilities to simplify common operational tasks, reducing human error and improving efficiency.

• Run Command: Execute commands on your AWS resources securely and at scale, without needing to log in to individual instances.
• Automation Documents: Create reusable automation workflows to manage AWS resources and applications.

Patch Management

AWS Systems Manager simplifies the process of patching your managed instances, ensuring they are up to date with the latest security and software updates.

• Patch Manager: Automate the process of patching managed instances with security and critical updates.
• Compliance Reports: Generate reports to ensure that all instances comply with your organization's patching policies.

Parameter Store

AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store provides a centralized store to manage configuration data, secrets, and other parameters across your AWS infrastructure.

• Parameter Management: Store and manage parameters, such as database connection strings, passwords, and other configuration data securely.
• Versioning: Keep track of parameter versions and use the appropriate version in your applications.

Session Manager

Session Manager allows you to securely manage your EC2 instances using a browser-based shell or the AWS CLI, without needing to open inbound ports or manage SSH keys.

• Secure Access: Access EC2 instances securely without opening inbound ports or managing SSH keys.
• Audit and Logging: Track all session activity for compliance and troubleshooting purposes.

Common Exam Scenarios

• Implementing automated patch management across multiple EC2 instances using AWS Systems Manager.
• Configuring and managing parameter values for your applications using Parameter Store.
• Executing operational tasks at scale using AWS Systems Manager's Run Command.
• Securing access to EC2 instances using Session Manager without the need for SSH.

Exam Tips

• Understand how AWS Systems Manager can be used to automate operational tasks and improve management efficiency.
• Be familiar with using AWS Systems Manager for patch management and ensuring compliance across your infrastructure.
• Know how to securely manage and store configuration data using Parameter Store.
• Practice scenarios that involve managing EC2 instances and automating common tasks with AWS Systems Manager.