How Do I Create an AWS SSM Parameter?

Introduction

AWS Systems Manager (SSM) Parameters are a secure and centralized way to manage configuration data and secrets across your AWS environment. By using SSM parameters, you can store and retrieve configuration data easily, ensuring that your applications and services have access to the information they need without hardcoding values. This guide will demonstrate how to create an AWS SSM parameter using Pulumi, a modern infrastructure as code platform.

Step-by-Step Explanation

To create an AWS SSM parameter using Pulumi, follow these steps:

1. Import Libraries: Begin by importing the necessary Pulumi and AWS libraries to your TypeScript program.
2. Create an SSM Parameter: Use the aws.ssm.Parameter resource to define your parameter:
   • name: Specify the name of the parameter.
   • type: Determine the type of the parameter, such as String, StringList, or SecureString.
   • value: Set the value that the parameter will hold.
   • description: Add a description to provide context about the parameter’s purpose.
   • tags: Apply tags to categorize and manage the parameter easily.
3. Export Parameter Name: Finally, export the name of the parameter to make it available as a stack output.

Below is a sample Pulumi program illustrating these steps:

import * as pulumi from "@pulumi/pulumi";
import * as aws from "@pulumi/aws";

// Create an SSM parameter
const ssmParameter = new aws.ssm.Parameter("myParameter", {
    name: "/my/parameter",
    type: "String",
    value: "myParameterValue",
    description: "This is a sample SSM parameter",
    tags: {
        Environment: "Dev",
    },
});

// Export the name of the parameter
export const parameterName = ssmParameter.name;

Key Points

• Centralized Management: SSM parameters provide a centralized way to manage configuration data and secrets.
• Security and Flexibility: Parameters can be of different types, including encrypted options like SecureString.
• Integration with AWS Services: Easily integrate with other AWS services and applications to retrieve parameter values.

Conclusion

Creating AWS SSM parameters using Pulumi is a straightforward process that enhances the security and manageability of your configuration data. By following the steps outlined above, you can efficiently store and access parameters, ensuring your applications are both secure and flexible. This approach not only simplifies configuration management but also supports best practices in infrastructure as code.