Deploy your stack sets faster with ConcurrencyMode in AWS CloudFormation

/ Tutorial

Introduction

In the world of cloud computing, deploying and managing infrastructure at scale can be a tedious and time-consuming task. AWS CloudFormation provides a solution to this problem by allowing you to define your infrastructure as code and automate the deployment and management processes. One powerful feature of CloudFormation is StackSets, which enables you to deploy a CloudFormation stack across multiple accounts and regions simultaneously. However, managing the concurrency of these deployments can be challenging. This is where the ConcurrencyMode parameter comes into play.

Understanding ConcurrencyMode

The ConcurrencyMode parameter in CloudFormation allows you to control how StackSets handles concurrent deployments. There are two modes available: StrictFailureTolerance and SoftFailureTolerance.

StrictFailureTolerance

StrictFailureTolerance is the default behavior for stack set deployments. In this mode, StackSets dynamically sets the actual concurrency of the operations based on the failure tolerance threshold. When you choose StrictFailureTolerance, you are indicating that you want a hard stop on your stack set operation if it exceeds the failure tolerance threshold. This ensures the integrity of your deployments and provides a safety net to prevent potential issues.

SoftFailureTolerance

SoftFailureTolerance is a new deployment behavior introduced by AWS to provide more flexibility to customers. In this mode, StackSets sets the concurrency value specified by the customer as the actual concurrency of the operation. This means that if you choose a concurrency value of, for example, 10, StackSets will deploy the stack sets concurrently up to a maximum of 10 at a time. However, if StackSets encounters a failure that crosses the failure tolerance threshold, it will stop the operation to avoid any potential negative impacts.

Benefits of using SoftFailureTolerance

Using SoftFailureTolerance can offer several benefits to your stack set deployments. Let’s explore some of the key advantages:

Faster deployments

By allowing concurrent deployments, SoftFailureTolerance can significantly reduce the time required to deploy your stack sets. Instead of deploying them one by one, you can deploy multiple stack sets simultaneously, leading to a faster overall deployment process.

Higher throughput

With SoftFailureTolerance, you have more control over the concurrency of your stack set operations. This means that you can increase the concurrency value to achieve higher throughput, enabling you to deploy a larger number of stack sets in a shorter amount of time.

Improved fault tolerance

While SoftFailureTolerance allows for concurrent deployments, it still provides a safety net by stopping the operation when the failure tolerance threshold is crossed. This ensures that any potential issues are addressed before they can affect your entire infrastructure.

Implementing ConcurrencyMode in AWS CloudFormation

To enable ConcurrencyMode in AWS CloudFormation, you need to follow a few simple steps. Let’s walk through the process:

  1. Define your stack set parameters: Before deploying your stack sets, you need to define the necessary parameters in your CloudFormation template. This includes specifying the ConcurrencyMode parameter and its corresponding value (StrictFailureTolerance or SoftFailureTolerance).

  2. Create your stack set: Once you have defined your parameters, you can create your stack set using the AWS Management Console, AWS CLI, or AWS SDKs. Make sure to specify the template containing the ConcurrencyMode parameter and any other configuration settings you require.

  3. Specify the concurrency value: If you choose to use SoftFailureTolerance, you need to specify the desired concurrency value in your stack set configuration. This value determines the maximum number of stack sets that can be deployed concurrently.

  4. Deploy your stack set: After configuring your stack set, you can deploy it to multiple accounts and regions simultaneously. CloudFormation will handle the concurrency based on the chosen ConcurrencyMode and the specified concurrency value (if applicable).

  5. Monitor and manage your stack sets: Once your stack sets are deployed, you can monitor their status and manage them using the CloudFormation management tools. This includes performing updates, rollbacks, and any other necessary operations.

Best Practices for using ConcurrencyMode

To ensure the successful deployment of your stack sets and maximize the benefits of ConcurrencyMode, it is important to follow some best practices. Here are a few recommendations:

  1. Start with a smaller concurrency value: If you are new to using SoftFailureTolerance, it is advisable to start with a smaller concurrency value and gradually increase it. This allows you to gauge the impact of concurrent deployments on your infrastructure and make adjustments if necessary.

  2. Monitor failure tolerance thresholds: Keep a close eye on the failure tolerance thresholds defined in your stack set configurations. If you consistently encounter failures that exceed the threshold, consider adjusting your concurrency value or exploring potential issues in your infrastructure.

  3. Regularly test your stack sets: It is important to test your stack sets regularly, especially if you make changes to your infrastructure or deploy new stack sets. Testing ensures that your deployments are successful and helps identify any potential issues before they become critical.

  4. Leverage CloudFormation StackSet Drift Detection: Use the built-in drift detection feature in CloudFormation to identify any differences between the deployed stack sets and their expected configurations. Drift detection can help you maintain the consistency and integrity of your infrastructure.

  5. Automate stack set deployments: To streamline the deployment process and ensure consistency, consider automating your stack set deployments using AWS CloudFormation StackSet operations. This allows you to automate the creation, update, and deletion of stack sets across multiple accounts and regions.

Conclusion

Deploying infrastructure at scale can be a complex task, but with AWS CloudFormation and the ConcurrencyMode parameter, you can streamline and accelerate your stack set deployments. Whether you choose StrictFailureTolerance or SoftFailureTolerance, understanding and utilizing ConcurrencyMode can help you achieve faster deployments, higher throughput, and improved fault tolerance. By following best practices and regularly testing your stack sets, you can ensure the successful deployment and management of your infrastructure in the cloud.