[go: up one dir, main page]
Scribd
Upload
88 views5 pages

AWS Patch Manager - A Comprehensive Guide

Uploaded by

suresh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
88 views5 pages

AWS Patch Manager - A Comprehensive Guide

Uploaded by

suresh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

AWS Patch Manager

A Comprehensive Guide
Author: Zayan Ahmed | Estimated Reading time: 6 min

Introduction

AWS Patch Manager is a feature of AWS Systems Manager that automates the process of
patching managed instances, such as Amazon EC2 instances or on-premises servers, with
both operating system and application updates. By streamlining the patch management
process, AWS Patch Manager helps organizations maintain compliance, enhance security,
and ensure system stability.

This document explores AWS Patch Manager in detail, from its architecture to its
configuration and best practices for effective patch management.

Key Features

● Automated Patch Deployment: Automates the application of security patches for


operating systems and software.
● Custom Patch Baselines: Allows you to define specific rules and exceptions for
patch compliance.
● Integration with AWS Systems Manager: Seamlessly integrates with other
Systems Manager capabilities, such as automation and inventory.
● Cross-Platform Support: Supports multiple operating systems, including Windows,
Amazon Linux, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS, and more.
● Compliance Reporting: Provides reports to monitor patch compliance status across
instances.

Architecture

AWS Patch Manager operates as part of AWS Systems Manager. It relies on the following
components:

1. Managed Instances:

○ These are EC2 instances or on-premises servers that are configured for
Systems Manager.
○ Systems Manager Agent (SSM Agent) must be installed and running on each
managed instance.
2. Patch Baselines:

○ Define the rules for patching, including approved patches, rejected patches,
and auto-approval deadlines.
○ AWS provides predefined baselines for common operating systems, which
can be customized.
3. Patch Groups:

○ Logical grouping of instances for patch management based on tags.


○ Allows targeted patching of specific environments, such as "Production" or
"Development."
4. Maintenance Windows:

○ Define specific time frames for executing patching tasks.


○ Ensures patches are applied during non-peak hours to minimize impact.
5. Compliance Reports:

○ Track the status of patch application across all managed instances.


○ Identify instances that are non-compliant or have failed patch installations.
How AWS Patch Manager Works

1. Set Up Managed Instances:

○ Install and configure the SSM Agent on all target instances.


○ Ensure instances have appropriate IAM roles with
AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore permissions.
2. Define a Patch Baseline:

○ Use predefined baselines or create custom ones to specify approved and


rejected patches.
○ Set auto-approval rules and compliance levels.
3. Organize Instances into Patch Groups:

○ Use resource tags to categorize instances.


○ Assign patch groups to specific baselines.
4. Schedule Patching with Maintenance Windows:

○ Create maintenance windows for specific time frames.


○ Schedule patching tasks to run during these windows.
5. Run Patch Compliance Scans:

○ Use Systems Manager to scan instances and generate compliance reports.


○ Identify patches that need to be applied.
6. Apply Patches:

○ Execute patching tasks using AWS Patch Manager.


○ Monitor progress and address any issues.

Configuring AWS Patch Manager

Step 1: Enable Systems Manager


1. Attach the AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore policy to the instance’s IAM role.
2. Install the SSM Agent if not pre-installed (default in most AWS-provided AMIs).
3. Verify connectivity to Systems Manager endpoints.

Step 2: Create or Select a Patch Baseline

1. Navigate to the Systems Manager Console.


2. Go to "Patch Manager" and select "Patch Baselines."
3. Choose a predefined baseline or create a custom baseline.
4. Specify the following:
○ Approved patches and auto-approval rules.
○ Compliance levels (e.g., critical, important).
○ Rejected patches.

Step 3: Tag Instances and Define Patch Groups

1. Tag instances with appropriate tags (e.g., Environment: Production).


2. Map patch groups to baselines in Patch Manager.

Step 4: Set Up a Maintenance Window

1. Navigate to "Maintenance Windows" in the Systems Manager Console.


2. Create a new maintenance window with:
○ Name and schedule.
○ Target instances or patch groups.
○ Tasks to run (e.g., patching).

Step 5: Patch Instances

1. Run patching tasks manually or during the defined maintenance window.


2. Monitor task execution in the Systems Manager Console.

Compliance Reporting

AWS Patch Manager provides detailed reports on patch compliance, which include:

● Non-Compliant Instances: Lists instances that require patches.


● Patch History: Tracks patches applied to each instance.
● Patch Compliance Dashboard: Visual summary of compliance status.

You can integrate these reports with AWS Security Hub or other tools for centralized
monitoring.

Best Practices
1. Regularly Update Patch Baselines:

○ Ensure baselines include the latest security patches.


2. Use Patch Groups for Logical Segmentation:

○ Separate instances by environment (e.g., development, production).


3. Schedule Patching During Maintenance Windows:

○ Minimize impact on application performance by patching during off-peak


hours.
4. Monitor Compliance:

○ Use compliance reports to ensure all instances remain up-to-date.


5. Test Patches in a Staging Environment:

○ Validate patches before applying them to production instances.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Instances Not Appearing in Patch Manager:

○ Verify SSM Agent installation and IAM permissions.


○ Check network connectivity to Systems Manager endpoints.
2. Patch Task Failures:

○ Review SSM Agent logs on the instance.


○ Ensure the instance’s OS is supported by the patch baseline.
3. Non-Compliant Instances:

○ Run a manual compliance scan.


○ Check if the patch is explicitly rejected in the baseline.

Conclusion

AWS Patch Manager simplifies and automates the critical task of patch management,
helping organizations enhance security and maintain compliance. By leveraging its robust
features, such as patch baselines, maintenance windows, and compliance reporting, you
can efficiently manage patches across diverse environments. With proper configuration and
adherence to best practices, AWS Patch Manager becomes an indispensable tool in your
cloud operations toolkit.

🤔
😊
Want more ?
Follow me on LinkedIn

You might also like