This is #90DaysofDevops challenge under the guidance of Shubham Londhe sir.
Introduction
Welcome back to the 90 Days of DevOps Challenge! Today, we delve into the realm of programmatic access to your AWS account. Buckle up as we explore IAM programmatic access and the powerful AWS CLI.
IAM Programmatic Access:
IAM Programmatic Access allows users to interact with AWS services and resources programmatically, typically through scripts or applications rather than through the AWS Management Console. Here's a detailed explanation:
Command Line Access: IAM (Identity and Access Management) Programmatic Access enables users to perform actions on their AWS resources using the command line interface (CLI) instead of the graphical user interface (GUI) provided by the AWS Management Console.
AWS Access Keys: To authenticate and authorize access to AWS services programmatically, users need to use AWS Access Keys. These keys consist of an Access Key ID and a Secret Access Key.
Access Keys Security: Access keys are essentially cryptographic keys that are securely generated and managed within the AWS IAM service. The Access Key ID acts as a username, while the Secret Access Key serves as a password. It's crucial to keep these keys confidential and secure to prevent unauthorized access to your AWS resources.
Granting Permissions: IAM allows users to create Access Keys and assign specific permissions to them using IAM policies. These policies define the actions that can be performed and the resources that can be accessed by the associated Access Keys.
Scope of Access: The permissions granted to Access Keys can be scoped down to specific AWS services, resources, or actions based on the principle of least privilege. This means that users only have access to the resources and actions necessary to perform their tasks, enhancing security and reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Usage: Once users have obtained their Access Keys, they can use them in their scripts, applications, or tools to interact with AWS services programmatically. This allows for automation of various tasks, such as provisioning resources, managing configurations, and monitoring AWS environments, without the need for manual intervention.
AWS-CLI:
AWS CLI (Command Line Interface) is a powerful tool that helps you manage your AWS (Amazon Web Services) resources directly from your computer's terminal or command prompt. It's like having a versatile toolbelt for handling various tasks related to AWS services.
Streamlined Management: The AWS CLI simplifies your interaction with AWS services by allowing you to execute commands from your command line interface, just like typing commands into a search engine.
Versatility: It's akin to having a Swiss Army knife tailored for AWS tasks. This means you can perform a wide range of actions, such as creating new servers (known as instances), configuring storage, managing databases, and more, all from the comfort of your command line.
Ease of Use: With AWS CLI v2, the latest version, managing AWS resources becomes even easier. It offers improvements like simpler installation processes, new settings to control user access (like AWS IAM Identity Center, which provides a centralized way to manage user access permissions), and a host of interactive features.
Efficiency and Automation: By using the AWS CLI, you can automate repetitive tasks, saving time and effort. For example, you can write scripts to deploy and manage infrastructure, configure security settings, or monitor resource usage, all without needing to navigate through the AWS Management Console.
Direct Control: The AWS CLI gives you direct control over your AWS environment. You can perform tasks quickly and efficiently, without relying on graphical interfaces or third-party tools.
Integration with DevOps Practices: The AWS CLI seamlessly integrates with DevOps practices, allowing for streamlined deployment processes, continuous integration, and continuous delivery pipelines.
Let's Dive into Tasks:
Task-01: Generate AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID and AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY via the AWS Console. Step-by-Step Guide:
Log in to the AWS Management Console: Navigate to the AWS Management Console (AWS Login) and sign in using your credentials.
Access the IAM Dashboard: Once logged in, go to the IAM dashboard.
Create a new IAM user (if necessary): If you don't have an IAM user already set up for programmatic access, create one by navigating to the "Users" section in IAM and clicking "Add user."
Generate Access Keys: Select the user for whom you want to generate access keys. Under the "Security credentials" tab, locate the "Access keys" section and click "Create access key."
Note down the Access Key ID and Secret Access Key: After creating the access key, note down the Access Key ID and Secret Access Key provided. Keep these keys secure as they will be needed for programmatic access.
Task-02: Install and configure the AWS CLI to harness the full potential of AWS services directly from your terminal. Step-by-Step Guide:
Install AWS CLI: Depending on your operating system, follow the instructions provided in the AWS CLI documentation (AWS CLI Install) to install the AWS CLI.
Configure AWS CLI: After installing the AWS CLI, open your terminal or command prompt and run the
aws configurecommand. You will be prompted to enter your AWS Access Key ID, AWS Secret Access Key, AWS region, and default output format.
Example:
aws configure
AWS Access Key ID [None]:
AWS Secret Access Key [None]:
Default region name [None]: us-west-1
Default output format [None]: json
By mastering IAM programmatic access and wielding the AWS CLI, you empower yourself to orchestrate AWS resources with finesse and efficiency.