AWS CloudShell is a browser-based shell which can be accessed via the AWS Management console. This allows you to securely manage and interact with your AWS resources. There is much more to learn about this service.
This blog will provide an overview of AWS CloudShell, its features, and how you can get started.
What is AWS CloudShell and how does it work?
AWS CloudShell helps you manage, secure, explore, and interact with your AWS resources. This is pre-authenticated using console credentials. The Common Development and Operations tools are also pre-installed. This means that there is no need to install or configure locally. CloudShell allows you to:
First, you will need to run scripts using the AWS Command line Interface (AWS CLI).
Second, test and validate AWS service APIs with the AWS SDKs
To be productive, you can also use a variety of other tools.
This browser-based shell service can also be accessed via the AWS Management console. After logging in to the Management Console, you will be able to start a CloudShell session which gives customers immediate access to Amazon Linux 2 with the AWS Command Line Interface. (CLI), which is pre-installed.
The AWS CloudShell can easily be launched from any AWS Region. You can also upload files up to 1GB to your CloudShell Home directory ($HOME). Files, scripts, tools and files saved in $HOME will persist across sessions.
AWS CloudShell Benefits:
First, managing credentials is free. CloudShell will take over the credentials of the user who signed in to AWS Management Console.
This service offers users fully managed Amazon Linux 2 environments with upgraded versions of popular software. These tools are already installed. These tools are already installed.
It also provides a browser-based shell that can be used to run scripts and commands. It also includes 1 GB of persistent storage per region at no additional cost. CloudShell creates and runs your applications, so you only pay for what you use with AWS resources.
Finally, you have 1 GB of persistent storage per region, which allows you to store:scripts
Files
Configuration preferences
Additional tools for your home directory
CloudShell is available for work
Image Source: AWSAWS CloudShell Features:
AWS CloudShell has many features that make it globally accessible. Let’s find out more.
1. AWS Command Line Interface
The AWS CloudShell credentials are automatically made available to users who sign in to the AWS Management console when they launch AWS CloudShell. This pre-authentication allows AWS CloudShell users to skip the configuration of credentials when they interact with AWS services via AWS CLI version 2.
2. Shells and development tools
You can switch between your preferred command-line commands using the shell created for AWS CloudShell sessions easily. You can switch between PowerShell, Bash, and Z shells with access to pre-installed utilities and tools.
Git
Make
pip
sudo
Tar
tmux
vim
wget
zip.
The shell environment comes pre-configured with support of leading software languages. This allows you to run Python and Node.js projects.
3. Persistent storage
AWS CloudShell will provide persistent storage at no additional cost for each AWS Region. Private persistent storage is available in your home directory ($HOME).
4. Security
AWS CloudShell and its users are protected by specific security mechanisms, including:
1. IAM allows you to manage permissions
Administrators can grant or deny permissions to AWS CloudShell customers using IAM policies. They can also create policies that define the specific activities that users can perform with the shell environment at a granular level.
2. Shell session management
Long-running or inactive sessions automatically end and are then recycled.
3. Safe Paste for text input
Safe Paste is a security function that prompts you for confirmation that the multiline text that you are copying into the shell does not contain harmful scripts by default.
5. Options for customization
You can customize the AWS CloudShell by changing screen layouts (many tabs), font sizes and interface styles (light/dark).
6. Familiar tools
CloudShell is built on Amazon Linux 2 and includes common AWS command line interfaces. This includes:
AWS CLI
Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), CLI
AWS Serverless Application Model CLI (AWS SAM).
Runtimes and AWS SDKs (for Python and Node.js)
Command-line utilities to shells
7. Automated management of your credentials
CloudShell will take over the credentials of any user signed in to AWS Management Console. CloudShell makes authentication simpler and reduces the operational burden by taking over the management of credentials locally.
8. Fully managed and up to date
CloudShell is fully managed and includes the latest security patches, the operating system’s most recent versions, and all the tools. This allows you to focus on managing and building your AWS resources.
Let’s now look at the features and overview of AWS CloudShell.
Get started with AWS CloudShell
This section will show you how to launch AWS CloudShell, and perform key tasks using the shell command line interface.
Prerequisites
IAM permissions
To obtain permissions for AWS CloudShell, attach the following AWS managed policies to your IAM identity (users, roles, or groups).
AWSCloudShellFullAccess:
This gives users full access to AWS CloudShell’s features and allows them to use it.
You will also be able to interact with AWS services from this page. Your IAM identity requires a pol.