Tools and services available for distributing code (for example, CodeDeploy, EC2 Image Builder)

What is AWS CodeDeploy, and how does it handle failed deployments?

AWS CodeDeploy is a service that automates code deployments to any instance, including Amazon EC2 instances, on-premises instances, or serverless Lambda functions. When a deployment fails, CodeDeploy by default stops the deployment and rolls back to the last successful deployment state. Additionally, it provides options for retrying failed deployments, rolling back, or deploying without considering the failure, based on the configuration of the deployment group.

Can you explain how AWS EC2 Image Builder helps with the code distribution process?

AWS EC2 Image Builder automates the creation, management, and deployment of customized EC2 machine images. The service supports consistent and repeatable processes for building and testing images, including the ability to include code, configurations, and updates. It facilitates the distribution of images by allowing users to build images that can be quickly launched with the bundled code and settings, streamlining deployment and scalability.

Describe a situation where you would use AWS Lambda as a distribution mechanism for your code.

AWS Lambda is ideal for distributing and running code in response to events, without provisioning or managing servers. One would use Lambda to execute code in response to triggers such as changes in data in an S3 bucket, updates to a DynamoDB table, or as compute service backend for REST API methods in Amazon API Gateway. It’s particularly useful for lightweight, stateless, event-driven microservices or tasks.

What role does Amazon S3 play in code distribution practices?

Amazon S3 can serve as a repository for storing and retrieving version-controlled code binaries, scripts, or artifacts. It is often used in conjunction with other services like AWS CodeDeploy and Lambda where these services can pull the code package from an S3 bucket and deploy it to the target environments. S3 enables a highly durable and accessible storage solution for code distribution workflows.

How can AWS Systems Manager be used to distribute code across a fleet of EC2 instances?

AWS Systems Manager provides capabilities such as Run Command and State Manager that can be used to distribute and execute code across a fleet of EC2 instances. These tools allow for automated and remote execution of scripts or commands, enabling code updates, configurations, or deployments to be uniformly applied to groups of servers without the need for direct access or manual intervention.

What are the benefits of using AWS CodePipeline in combination with CodeDeploy for code distribution?

AWS CodePipeline automates the build, test, and deployment phases of the release process every time there is a code change. By attaching AWS CodeDeploy as a deployment provider in CodePipeline, you can establish a continuous delivery pipeline. This combination ensures that the latest code commits trigger automated workflows, leading to consistent, reliable, and repeatable code distribution to the targeted environments.

How do you secure your code artifacts and ensure only authorized deployments in an AWS environment?

To secure code artifacts, you should store them in encrypted Amazon S3 buckets with proper identity and access management policies in place. IAM roles should be used to control who has the authority to initiate and carry out deployments, ensuring that only authorized AWS CodeDeploy, EC2 instances, and other service roles can access and execute the deployment process. Additionally, using AWS Key Management Service (KMS) for encryption keys management adds an extra layer of security for the code artifacts.

How does AWS CodeArtifact complement code distribution in a multi-account AWS environment?

AWS CodeArtifact is a managed artifact repository service that makes it easier for organizations to securely store, publish, and share software packages used in their development, deployment, and coding processes across multiple accounts. By integrating with developer tools and CI/CD pipelines, CodeArtifact allows teams to share code and binaries efficiently while implementing fine-grained access control and tracking package versions across all AWS accounts in an organization.

Describe how rollback works with AWS CodeDeploy in the event of a deployment failure.

When a deployment fails in AWS CodeDeploy, the service automatically attempts to roll back to the last successful deployment if the rollback configuration is enabled. This involves redeploying the last healthy set of application files and configuration to the affected target instances. Rollbacks in CodeDeploy can be configured for EC2/On-Premises deployments and are prompt to minimize downtime and impact on application availability.

Can you integrate third-party tools for code distribution with AWS services, and what is one approach for doing so?

Yes, AWS allows for integration with third-party tools for code distribution. One way to achieve this is by using AWS Lambda to invoke custom code in response to hooks or triggers from the third-party tool. For example, a Git push to a repository hosted on GitHub can trigger a webhook that invokes an AWS Lambda function, which in turn initiates a CodeDeploy deployment. Another approach is using the AWS SDKs to interface directly with services like CodePipeline or CodeBuild from within the third-party tools.

What is a “deployment group” in AWS CodeDeploy, and how would you use it for targeted code distribution?

A deployment group in AWS CodeDeploy is a set of individual instances or Lambda functions, EC2 tags, or Auto Scaling groups that are targeted for deployment. Deployment groups allow for more refined control over which instances get updated during a deployment, enabling targeted distribution. They are useful for scenarios such as blue/green deployments or canary releases where code updates need to be rolled out in a controlled and phased manner.

Explain how AWS CodeBuild aids in code distribution and what critical features it provides.

AWS CodeBuild is a fully managed continuous integration service that compiles source code, runs tests, and produces software packages ready for deployment. CodeBuild simplifies code distribution by automating the build and packaging process, and it can integrate into CI/CD pipelines. Key features include automatic scaling, build environment customization, integration with other AWS and third-party tools, and the ability to produce secure, auditable artifacts with logs for every build stage.