What is AWS Cloudformation?

Last Updated :
03 Oct, 2024

Amazon Web Services(AWS) offers cloud formation as a service by which you can provision and manage complicated services offered by AWS by using the code. CloudFormation will help you to manage the infrastructure and the services in the form of a declarative way.

How Does AWS cloudformation Work is Does ?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the service offered by the AWS cloud it is mainly used to provision the service in the AWS like EC2, S3,Autoscaling, load balancing and so on you is provision can provision all the service automation with the Infrastructure as a code ( IAC ) , instead of manage all of them manually you can manage with the help of AWS cloudformation .

feature Of AWS cloudformation

1. No up-front investment
2. Lowering operating cost
3. Highly scalable
4. Easy access
5. Reducing business risks and maintenance expenses

useCases Of AWS Cloudformation

1. Infrastructure Provisioning : AWS cloudformation is used to provision the infrastructure which mean as an infrastructure as a code and it can be perform multiple time to get exact replica across all the environment .
2. AutoScaling Environments: The infrastructure provisioned using AWS Cloudformation will always get provisioned with scaling environments which will help you scale up and scale down depending on the incoming load.
3. Integration With Services: Y ou is integrate can integrate the AWS cloudformation with different service like code pipeline ,Jenkins CI/CD pipeline and so on which will help to automate the deployment.
4. Deployment In Multiple Regions : You can manage the AWS cloud formation to deploy it in multiple regions which will help you in disasters.

Benefits of AWS Cloudformation

1. Automation: AWS cloudformation is helps help to automate the process of create , configure , and manage aws resource . This is allows allow for the infrastructure to be deploy quickly , reliably , and repeatedly .
2. Consistency and standardization: With AWS cloudformation, it is possible to create standard templates of infrastructure stacks that can be used to create identical copies of the same infrastructure. This ensures consistency in the infrastructure deployment and makes it easier to maintain.
3. Cost savings: AWS cloudformation helps to reduce costs by allowing customers to use existing infrastructure templates and reuse them across multiple environments. This reduces the cost of designing and deploying new infrastructure.
4. Security : AWS cloudformation helps to ensure that all AWS resources are configured securely by using security policies and rules. This helps to protect the infrastructure from potential security threats.
5. Scalability: AWS cloudformation allows for the quick and easy scaling of resources on demand. This means that customers can quickly and easily add resources to meet their changing needs.

Amazon Web Services is a subsidiary of Amazon.com that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms to individuals, companies, and governments, on a paid subscription basis.

Why Do We Need AWS Cloudformation?

Just imagine that you have to develop an application that use various AWS resource . When it come to create and manage those resource , it is be can be highly time – consume and challenging . It is become can become difficult for you to develop the application when you are spend the whole time manage those AWS resource . What if we have a service for that ? So here come AWS Cloudformation is comes in the picture .

What Is AWS Cloudformation?

This is is is a service provide by AWS that help you create and manage the resource so that you can spend less time manage those resource and more time focus on your application that run in AWS . You is have just have to create a template thatbased on describe all the resource you require , then AWS Cloudformation is take will take care of manage and provision all the resource . AWS is provides provide a cloudformation designer for design the template wherein you can put all the resource . You is define can also define the dependency of all the resource that are need . You is reuse can also reuse your template to replicate your infrastructure in multiple environment and region .  

Getting Started with AWS cloudformation

Our template is create in JSON or YAML script . We is discussing will be discuss the JSON script in this article . JSON is a text-based format that represents structured data based onresource JavaScript object syntax . It is carries carry the AWS resource detail in the structured format accord to which AWS infrastructure is create .

Structure of CloudFormation JSON Template

• Format version: It is defines define the version of a template .
• Description : Any extra description or comments about your template are written in the description of the template.
• Metadata: It can be used to provide further information using JSON   object .
• Parameters: parameter are used when you want to provide custom or dynamic value to the stack during runtime . Therefore , we is customize can customize template using parameter .
• Mappings: Mapping in the JSON template helps you to map keys to a corresponding named value that you specify in a conditional parameter.
• Conditions: condition are used to define if certain resource are create or when the resource ’s property are assign to a value when the stack is create .
• Transform: Transform helps in reusing the template components by building a simple declarative language for AWS cloudformation.
• Resources: In this, you can specify the properties of  AWS resources (AWS EC2 instance, S3 bucket, AWS lambda ) you want in your stack.
• Output : The output is defines define the value which is generate as an output when you view your cloud Formation stack properties.

CloudFormation Template Terms and Concepts

understand The Core Concepts That cloudformation template use to organize resource , setting , and function is key to manage AWS infrastructure efficiently .

1.Template

A CloudFormation template is a simply JSON or YAML file that defines the AWS resources to be created and configured.

2.Stacks

Stacks are the totality of the resources which are contained within a CloudFormation Template. When one wishes to roll out a template , they will be required to roll out a stack in which all the available resources in that stack will be rolled out as one.

3.Formatting

JSON and YAML is used in handling templates within CloudFormation. YAML has been very much opted for in terms of using due to forthcoming advantages in smaller templates and large templates as well.

4.Change Sets

Change sets are used to examine what CloudFormation will do, in terms of modification or change , to the deployed resources when an update operation is required on a specific stack. It ensures that all the changes that are executed on the infrastructure do not create risks that were not intended.

5.Functions

CloudFormation comes with several built-in functions (like Fn::Sub, Fn::Join), and these functions are aimed at making dynamic configuration easier so that as the resources are being deployed, their properties can be adjusted and modified.

6.Parameters

These offer an opportunity for user interaction during the deployment of the stack thus making it easier to create templates that are flexible and reusable. For instance, given the instance types, VPC ids or environment variables can be indicated as parameters.

7.Conditions

Conditions enable or disable the creation of a resource depending on whether certain conditions are true or false (for example, it may depend on the environments of production or development). This allows for more complex template logic, deploying different resources based on provided parameters.

Alternatives to CloudFormation

AWS cloudformation is a very Famous infrastructure-as-code tool for managing AWS resources several alternatives offer different features and support for multi-cloud environments. Listing out some of very popular alternatives.

1. Terraform: Terraform is an open – source infrastructure – as – code tool where It allow you to implement CI / CD Pipeline By integrate Multiple cloud provider like Azure , Google cloud and more
2. Pulumi :Pulumi Is a Power-full Infrastructure-as-code tool That Allows you To Automate and provision your Resources .It supports various cloud platforms Like AWS, Azure, OCI and More Cloud Provider

How to deploy a cloudformation Template

deploy a cloudformation template can be done through multiple method , each catering to different preference and workflow

1.AWS Management Console

The AWS Management Console offers a user-friendly way to deploy templates. Simply log in, navigate to CloudFormation, and select “create Stack.” You can then upload your template (in JSON or YAML format), configure parameters, tags, and permissions, and finalize by clicking “create Stack.” This method is ideal for those who prefer a visual, straightforward interface.

2.CloudFormation designer

For a more graphical approach, CloudFormation Designer allow user to visually build or modify template using a drag – and – drop interface within the AWS Console . After create or adjust your template , deployment is is is just a click away by select “ create Stack . ” This method is suits suit user who enjoy visual tool for infrastructure design .

3.AWS CLI (Command Line Interface)

After ensuring the AWS CLI is installed and configured, you can deploy your template by running a simple command. This method is particularly useful for developers who want to integrate deployments into CI/CD pipelines or automate infrastructure tasks.

What Are AWS cloudformation Hooks?

AWS cloudformation Hooks is a feature that you can employ to retain the compliance of your CloudFormation resources in regards to security operational and cost optimization compliance within your organization. CloudFormation Hooks allow you to implement code that proactively checks the configuration of your AWS resources before they are provisioned. If any resources are found to be non-compliant CloudFormation can either block the operation to prevent provisioning or issue a warning while allowing the process to continue

What Are the Benefits of Using CloudFormation Hooks?

1. Automatic Compliance Checking: CloudFormation Hooks automatically check your resources to ensure they meet your organization’s rules and standards before they are deployed. This helps prevent issues by catching problems early, ensuring that only compliant resources are allowed into your cloud environment.
2. Personalized check : You can create your own checks to ensure resources meet specific standards before deployment, giving you flexibility to enforce the rules that suit your organization’s needs.
3. Managing Resource Lifecycles: Easily track and manage resources from start to finish, ensuring they follow your rules and meet compliance throughout their entire existence.
4. Cost optimization : Helps control costs by enforcing guidelines that prevent unnecessary spending on resources and Ensures smart spending by setting rules that limit resource usage and prevent overspending.
5. Enhanced Security : boost safety by apply strict security measure to prevent unauthorized access and potential risk strengthen protection

How to create AWS cloudformation Template

Two way To create cloudformation template

1.usePre-Built Template

When creating a CloudFormation template, you can choose from two options within this method:

• choose an exist Template : select a previously create template and modify it accord to your current need .
• use a Sample Template : This article follows this approach. AWS offers several sample templates that you can use as a starting point. You can select a sample template from the available options in AWS, then customize it as needed to deploy your desired infrastructure. As covered in the steps below, to customize and deploy the desired infrastructure.

2.Start build Your Own From Scratch

useApplication Composer to create your CloudFormation template visually. This tool offers a drag-and-drop interface to design and configure infrastructure, generating the template automatically. Ideal for those who prefer a more hands-on approach with visual assistance.

Steps To Provision EC2-instance and LAMP package Using AWS cloudformation

Using AWS cloud Formationcreate, we will be creating a template using which instance will be launched and the LAMP package will be installed on top of it automatically. To create AWS free tier account you can refer to Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Free Tier Account Set up.

Step 1: Go to the Cloudformation dashboard on the AWS management console. Click on create the stack.

step 2 :You will be redirected to this webpage. We will be using a sample template of Lamp Stack in this. Select the option: usea sample template. Select the Lamp Stack template. Click on View in Designer to view the design of the template.

Step 3: Now you will be redirected to the designer page which shows the design of the template. It shows the instance which will be created with Apache and MySQL installed over it. It also shows the security groups attached to the security purpose of the instance. Here you can design your the infrastructure accordingly .

Step 4: These is are are the component of the template which we discuss early . rename the template accordingly .

step 5 : This is the code written in JSON format which contains all the specifications and dependencies about the infrastructure to be created.

Step 6: Now click on the cloud – shape upload button to come out of the designer .

Step 7: We will come back to the same web page. Click on Next.

Step 8: Specify the desired stack name over here

Step 9: Mention the name of the database you want to create on the mysql database . Also , specify the password and name of thecreatedb-user.

Step 10: Choose the instance type. Select any available key pair which will be used in making an SSH connection with the instance. Click on Next.

Step 11 : You don’t have to worry about the advanced settings. Click on Next.

Step 12: Click on create a stack. The instance will be created with the LAMP package installed on it. You can easily work with PHP and MySQL on the instance.

What is the Difference is is Between AWS cloudformation and terraform ?

AWS cloudformation – FAQ’s

Is CloudFormation is Is a PaaS or IAAS ?

No AWS cloudformation is not an Platform as a Service. it is an infrastructure as Code (IAC).

What is AWS cloudformation Stack?

An AWS cloudformation Stack is a collection of AWS resources that you can manage as a single unit. When you create, update, or delete a stack, CloudFormation provisions or terminates all the resources defined in the associated template.

What Is AWS cloudformation Template?

An AWS cloudformation Template is a JSON or YAML file that defines the AWS resources you want to create, update, or delete. It automates infrastructure management by treating resources as code, making deployments consistent, scalable, and repeatable.

What is AWS cloudformation StackSets?

AWS cloudformation StackSets allow you to manage stacks across multiple AWS accounts and regions. This is useful for centralizing the management of AWS resources in large, distributed environments.

Can You useAWS cloudformation with Other AWS Services?

Yes, AWS cloudformation integrates with many AWS services, such as EC2, S3, RDS, and IAM. It allows you to automate the provisioning and management of these resources, ensuring seamless integration across your cloud environment.

What are AWS cloudformation Parameters?

AWS cloudformation Parameters allow you to customize template values at runtime. By using parameters, you can pass in values like instance types or VPC IDs, enabling flexible and reusable templates across different environments.

What language is used in CloudFormation?

AWS cloudformation allows you to use two declarative languages to define your infrastructure:

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