Overview

Systems Manager provides a unified interface to view and control your AWS infrastructure. Instead of managing servers individually, you can perform actions across your entire fleet of servers, whether they're running in the cloud or in your own data centers.

One of its key features is automation. You can automate common maintenance tasks like patching servers, updating applications, or collecting system information. This helps ensure consistency across your environment and reduces the chance of human error in routine operations.

The service includes several tools for different management tasks. For example, it can maintain an inventory of all your resources, store and manage configuration settings, and even provide secure remote access to your servers without needing to open inbound ports or manage SSH keys.

Systems Manager also helps with compliance by tracking system configurations, preventing drift from your desired settings, and maintaining records of all changes made to your systems.

Example uses

Patch Management: Automatically keep all your servers updated with the latest security patches.
Configuration Management: Maintain consistent configurations across large groups of servers.
Automation: Schedule and execute routine maintenance tasks across multiple servers.
Resource Groups: Organize and manage AWS resources by application, environment, or team.

Integration with other AWS services

Systems Manager works seamlessly with many AWS services:

Amazon EC2: Manage and configure virtual servers
Amazon CloudWatch: Monitor system metrics and trigger automated responses
AWS IAM: Control access to resources and operations
AWS CloudTrail: Track all actions and changes made through Systems Manager

Think of AWS Systems Manager as your central management hub, providing a single place to view and control your entire AWS infrastructure, automate routine tasks, and maintain system security and compliance.