AWS CloudShell

Benefits

• No additional credentials to manage

AWS CloudShell simplifies the authentication process for users by receiving their credentials from the AWS Management Console. This eliminates the need for users to enter their credentials again, saving them valuable time. By default, CloudShell has access to the AWS Management Console using the user’s credentials.

One of the benefits of this streamlined authentication process is that it simplifies operational tasks. With CloudShell, there is no need to individually configure and manage user credentials on local workstations. This frees up resources and reduces the administrative burden of managing user access.

In addition to the simplified authentication process, AWS CloudShell also allows administrators to control permissions using IAM policies. IAM policies are a powerful tool within AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) that enable administrators to grant and deny permissions to CloudShell users.

• Updated regularly

CloudShell provides a fully managed Amazon Linux 2 environment that is pre-installed with the most recent versions of popular tools updated to the newest releases. In this instance, it is not essential to patch the environment or update the pre-installed programmes. The AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI), the Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS CLI), and the AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM CLI) are some of the command-line interfaces that are included in CloudShell. To run AWS CLI commands in CloudShell, you can use any of the following command-line interpreters: Bash (bash), PowerShell (pwsh), and Z shell (zsh). These interpreters are pre-installed in CloudShell, along with other useful utilities like editors (vi), source control (Git), and package management (npm, pip). CloudShell is based on Amazon Linux 2 and contains common AWS command-line interfaces, making it a versatile and convenient environment for running AWS CLI commands.

• No charge

Using CloudShell, you can run scripts and commands from a browser-based interface. No additional fees are required to use the 1 GB of persistent storage per region that’s included in this subscription service. CloudShell only charges you for the AWS resources you use while building and deploying your apps.

• Customizable

You can utilize your home directory to store scripts, files, setup preferences, and other tools that can be accessed from any location with 1 GB of persistent storage per region. You don’t have to re-configure your environment every time you open it using the shell.

Features

• A shell that is accessible through a web browser

All of this can be done without leaving your browser, thanks to AWS CLI, which lets you run scripts, access common command-line utilities such as PowerShell or Bash and use other popular AWS CLIs without leaving your browser, like the Amazon ECS CLI and SAM Command Line Interface (SAM CLI).

• Well-known tools

The AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI), the Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS CLI), and the AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM CLI are some of the command-line interfaces that are included in CloudShell. Additionally, Python and Node.js runtimes and AWS Software Development Kits (AWS SDKs) for those languages are also included. CloudShell is based on Amazon Linux 2 and contains common AWS command-line interfaces. This computer also has a number of additional command-line utilities pre-installed, including those for shells (Bash, PowerShell, and Zsh), editors (vi), source control (Git), and package management (npm, pip).

• Manages your credentials on an automatic basis

CloudShell has access to the AWS Management Console using the user’s credentials by default. As a result, the authentication process is simplified, and operational resources are freed up by eliminating the need to individually configure and manage user credentials on the local workstation.

• Completely managed and kept up to date.

All the latest security updates, operating system versions, and utility versions are included in CloudShell’s fully-managed service. As a result, you can focus on building and administering your AWS computing services rather than worrying about maintaining your local workstations or software development services or tooling.

• Persistent storage space of 1 GB

One GB of persistent storage is provided for your home directory, which can be utilised for other reasons. Even when you’re not using CloudShell, you can still access your frequently used scripts and configuration files thanks to permanent storage.

• Inactivity timeouts and session persistence

In AWS CloudShell, sessions are designed to be user-friendly and efficient. After about 20 minutes of inactivity, a CloudShell session will time out and need to be re-established by refreshing the window. This helps ensure that resources are not being unnecessarily consumed when users are not actively using the session. Additionally, inactive and long-running sessions are automatically handled in CloudShell. AWS CloudShell monitors for sessions that remain idle or run for extended periods of time, and it takes proactive measures to terminate and recycle these sessions. By doing so, AWS CloudShell optimizes resource allocation and ensures that all users have access to the necessary computing resources when they need them.

• Regions

For those in the United States East (North Virginia), Ohio, Oregon, Europe, and Asia Pacific (Tokyo) regions, CloudShell is now available. The remaining regions are expected to be added in the near future.

• Consistent Storage

Storage under $HOME is persistent across CloudShell executions, with a 1 GB restriction per region; all other storage is transitory and is not recoverable. Regardless of what happens, you may always start over with a new CloudShell environment if desired.

• Network Access

Connections to the Internet can be established by sessions only from the outside. Currently, sessions cannot access resources in private VPC subnets, however, this is planned to change soon. Additionally, when it comes to web browser support in AWS CloudShell, it is important to note that the platform specifically supports the following web browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari. This means that users can conveniently utilize any of these browsers to access and interact with AWS CloudShell, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience. By providing this comprehensive list, AWS CloudShell ensures compatibility with the most popular and widely used web browsers, giving users the freedom to choose their preferred browser for accessing the platform’s features and functionalities.

• Runtimes

Bash, PowerShell, jq, git, the ECS CLI, the SAM CLI, npm, and pip have also been installed and are ready for developers to utilize.

Pricing for AWS CloudShell

Additional fees are not incurred when using AWS Cloudshell. Additionally, all of the other AWS resources you use in the development and execution of your apps are free. With this service, you’re under no obligation to pay anything up front or even a minimal cost. Transfer fees are based on the AWS data transfer rates.

We have customers who use web browsers exclusively and have not yet built or changed their command-line interface to fit their needs. This is a common occurrence (CLI). We’re here to help you avoid any complications that could arise from this procedure, even if it isn’t complicated or time-consuming.

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