Introduction to AWS Config

/ Tutorial

AWS Config provides a powerful and efficient way to monitor and manage your AWS resources. With the recent update, AWS Config now supports 22 new resource types, allowing you to have better visibility and control over your infrastructure. In this guide, we will explore these new resource types, their significance, and how to leverage them effectively. We will also delve into additional technical points that will enhance your understanding and utilization of AWS Config.

Table of Contents

  1. AWS::AppStream::Fleet
  2. AWS::Grafana::Workspace
  3. AWS::KMS::Alias
  4. AWS::RDS::OptionGroup
  5. AWS::Route53Resolver::FirewallRuleGroup
  6. AWS::IAM::InstanceProfile
  7. AWS::NetworkManager::ConnectPeer
  8. AWS::ACMPCA::CertificateAuthorityActivation
  9. AWS::AppMesh::GatewayRoute
  10. AWS::AppMesh::Mesh
  11. AWS::Connect::QuickConnect
  12. AWS::EC2::CarrierGateway
  13. AWS::EC2::TransitGatewayConnect
  14. AWS::ECS::CapacityProvider
  15. AWS::IoT::CACertificate
  16. AWS::IoTTwinMaker::SyncJob
  17. AWS::KafkaConnect::Connector
  18. AWS::Lambda::CodeSigningConfig
  19. AWS::ResourceExplorer2::Index
  20. AWS::Connect::Instance
  21. AWS::EC2::IPAMPool
  22. AWS::EC2::TransitGatewayMulticastDomain

1. AWS::AppStream::Fleet

AWS::AppStream::Fleet is a new resource type supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor the configuration data of your AppStream Fleets. With AWS Config, you can track and analyze changes made to the fleet’s configuration settings, ensuring compliance and security.

Key Technical Points:
– Configure AWS Config rules to validate specific fleet configurations.
– Leverage AWS Config’s change tracking capabilities to identify potential risks and security vulnerabilities.

2. AWS::Grafana::Workspace

AWS::Grafana::Workspace is now supported by AWS Config, allowing you to monitor and manage your Grafana workspaces’ configurations effectively. Grafana is a popular open-source analytics and visualization platform widely used for monitoring and observability purposes.

Key Technical Points:
– Monitor and track changes to Grafana workspace configurations with AWS Config.
– Analyze changes made to Grafana dashboards, alerts, and data sources for improved observability.

3. AWS::KMS::Alias

AWS::KMS::Alias is a valuable resource type now supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration settings of AWS Key Management Service (KMS) aliases. KMS aliases provide an abstraction layer for managing your encryption keys, making it easier to rotate or update them when required.

Key Technical Points:
– Use AWS Config to track changes to KMS alias names, associated key IDs, and target key ARNs.
– Monitor changes made to KMS alias policies for enhanced security and compliance.

4. AWS::RDS::OptionGroup

AWS::RDS::OptionGroup is another important resource type now supported by AWS Config. It allows you to monitor and manage the configuration settings of Amazon RDS option groups. Option groups provide a way to manage and customize the features and behavior of your RDS database instances.

Key Technical Points:
– Leverage AWS Config to track changes to RDS option group configurations, including associated database engine versions, options, and settings.
– Use AWS Config to ensure compliance by monitoring option group changes against established best practices.

5. AWS::Route53Resolver::FirewallRuleGroup

AWS::Route53Resolver::FirewallRuleGroup is a new resource type supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of your Route 53 Resolver Firewall rule groups. Route 53 Resolver Firewall provides filtering and protection against DNS-based attacks.

Key Technical Points:
– Use AWS Config to track changes to Firewall Rule Group configurations, including rule priorities, actions, and associated Firewall Domains.
– Ensure compliance by monitoring rule group changes, verifying they align with security policies and best practices.

6. AWS::IAM::InstanceProfile

AWS::IAM::InstanceProfile is a valuable resource type now supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of IAM instance profiles. IAM instance profiles define the AWS roles that an EC2 instance can assume, allowing for granular control over resource access.

Key Technical Points:
– Monitor changes to IAM instance profile configurations, including associated roles, policies, and permissions.
– Use AWS Config to ensure least privilege access and detect any unauthorized changes to instance profile configurations.

7. AWS::NetworkManager::ConnectPeer

AWS::NetworkManager::ConnectPeer is a new resource type supported by AWS Config. It allows you to monitor and manage the configuration of AWS Network Manager Connect Peers. AWS Network Manager simplifies network management across multiple AWS accounts and on-premises networks.

Key Technical Points:
– Use AWS Config to track changes to Connect Peer configurations, including peer IP addresses, routing connections, and VPN tunnel settings.
– Ensure compliance by monitoring Connect Peer changes against established networking best practices and security policies.

8. AWS::ACMPCA::CertificateAuthorityActivation

AWS::ACMPCA::CertificateAuthorityActivation is an essential resource type now supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of your ACM Private Certificate Authority (ACM PCA) certificate authority activations. ACM PCA provides a private certificate authority service, allowing you to issue and manage digital certificates.

Key Technical Points:
– Monitor changes to ACM PCA certificate authority activation configurations, including certificate authority ARNs, status, and associated certificates.
– Leverage AWS Config to ensure compliance with certificate authority activation policies and standards.

9. AWS::AppMesh::GatewayRoute

AWS::AppMesh::GatewayRoute is a new resource type supported by AWS Config. It allows you to monitor and manage the configuration of AWS App Mesh Gateway Routes. App Mesh is a service mesh that makes it easy to monitor and control communication across microservices in your applications.

Key Technical Points:
– Use AWS Config to track changes to Gateway Route configurations, including associated Virtual Services, HTTP routes, and route match conditions.
– Ensure compliance by monitoring Gateway Route changes against established security and routing policies.

10. AWS::AppMesh::Mesh

AWS::AppMesh::Mesh is another significant resource type now supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of AWS App Mesh meshes. App Mesh provides observability, traffic control, and security features for microservices running on AWS.

Key Technical Points:
– Leverage AWS Config to track changes to Mesh configurations, including virtual nodes, backends, service discovery, and routing rules.
– Analyze Mesh changes to identify performance bottlenecks and potential security vulnerabilities.

11. AWS::Connect::QuickConnect

AWS::Connect::QuickConnect is now supported by AWS Config, allowing you to monitor and manage the configuration of Amazon Connect Quick Connects. Amazon Connect is a cloud-based contact center service, and Quick Connects simplify the routing and management of incoming calls.

Key Technical Points:
– Monitor changes to Quick Connect configurations, including associated routing profiles, queues, and phone number settings.
– Leverage AWS Config to ensure compliance with call center routing policies and regulatory requirements.

12. AWS::EC2::CarrierGateway

AWS::EC2::CarrierGateway is a new resource type supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of your EC2 Carrier Gateways. Carrier Gateways provide a dedicated connection between your on-premises network and AWS using Ethernet or MPLS connections.

Key Technical Points:
– Track changes to Carrier Gateway configurations, including associated virtual private gateways, route tables, and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) settings.
– Ensure compliance by monitoring Carrier Gateway changes against networking best practices and security requirements.

13. AWS::EC2::TransitGatewayConnect

AWS::EC2::TransitGatewayConnect is an essential resource type now supported by AWS Config. It allows you to monitor and manage the configuration of your EC2 Transit Gateway Connect attachments. EC2 Transit Gateway Connect simplifies the management and connectivity of virtual networks in AWS.

Key Technical Points:
– Use AWS Config to track changes to Transit Gateway Connect attachment configurations, including associated transit gateways, VPN connections, and Direct Connect gateways.
– Analyze these changes to optimize network routing and ensure security compliance.

14. AWS::ECS::CapacityProvider

AWS::ECS::CapacityProvider is a valuable resource type now supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) capacity providers. Capacity providers simplify the management of compute capacity for your ECS applications.

Key Technical Points:
– Track changes to Capacity Provider configurations with AWS Config, including associated Auto Scaling groups, instance types, and weights.
– Leverage AWS Config to ensure optimal resource allocation and efficient scaling of your ECS applications.

15. AWS::IoT::CACertificate

AWS::IoT::CACertificate is a new resource type supported by AWS Config. It allows you to monitor and manage the configuration of your IoT CA Certificates. IoT CA Certificates provide secure authentication and encryption for your IoT devices and connections.

Key Technical Points:
– Monitor changes to IoT CA Certificate configurations, including certificate statuses, expiration dates, and associated policies.
– Ensure compliance with security requirements and industry standards by analyzing IoT CA Certificate changes.

16. AWS::IoTTwinMaker::SyncJob

AWS::IoTTwinMaker::SyncJob is now supported by AWS Config, enabling you to monitor and manage the configuration of your IoT Twin Maker synchronization jobs. IoT Twin Maker helps you create digital twins of your physical devices, facilitating improved monitoring and management.

Key Technical Points:
– Track changes to IoT Twin Maker SyncJob configurations with AWS Config, including scheduling, device mappings, and target IoT things.
– Leverage AWS Config to ensure synchronization job integrity and adherence to desired configurations.

17. AWS::KafkaConnect::Connector

AWS::KafkaConnect::Connector is a valuable resource type now supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of your Kafka Connect connectors. Kafka Connect simplifies integrating Apache Kafka with external systems, enabling seamless data pipelines.

Key Technical Points:
– Monitor changes to Kafka Connect Connector configurations, including connector classes, configurations, and task counts.
– Use AWS Config to ensure proper connectivity and configuration of your Kafka Connect connectors.

18. AWS::Lambda::CodeSigningConfig

AWS::Lambda::CodeSigningConfig is a new resource type supported by AWS Config. It allows you to monitor and manage the configuration of your Lambda code signing configurations. Code signing adds an extra layer of security to your Lambda functions, ensuring only authorized code executions.

Key Technical Points:
– Track changes to Code Signing Configurations with AWS Config, including signing profiles, signing policies, and signing profiles associated with Lambda functions.
– Analyze changes to ensure compliance with code signing policies and security requirements.

19. AWS::ResourceExplorer2::Index

AWS::ResourceExplorer2::Index is now supported by AWS Config, allowing you to monitor and manage the configuration of resource explorer indices. AWS Resource Explorer provides a unified view of your AWS resources, making it easier to navigate and manage them.

Key Technical Points:
– Monitor changes to Resource Explorer Index configurations, including resource types, filters, and search scopes.
– Leverage AWS Config to ensure accurate indexing and efficient resource exploration.

20. AWS::Connect::Instance

AWS::Connect::Instance is a valuable resource type now supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of your Amazon Connect instances. Amazon Connect offers cloud-based contact center solutions, and instances represent distinct contact centers.

Key Technical Points:
– Monitor changes to Connect Instance configurations, including routing profiles, queues, hours of operation, and telephony settings.
– Analyze these changes to optimize contact center efficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements.

21. AWS::EC2::IPAMPool

AWS::EC2::IPAMPool is a new resource type supported by AWS Config. It allows you to monitor and manage the configuration of your EC2 IP Address Management (IPAM) pools. IPAM pools simplify the management of IP address ranges for your EC2 instances.

Key Technical Points:
– Track changes to IPAM Pool configurations with AWS Config, including address ranges, subnet associations, and VPC assignments.
– Use AWS Config to ensure optimal utilization of IP addresses and minimize network conflicts.

22. AWS::EC2::TransitGatewayMulticastDomain

AWS::EC2::TransitGatewayMulticastDomain is an essential resource type now supported by AWS Config. It enables you to monitor and manage the configuration of EC2 Transit Gateway Multicast Domains. Multicast Domains simplify multicast traffic management within your AWS network infrastructure.

Key Technical Points:
– Leverage AWS Config to track changes to Multicast Domain configurations, including membership associations, multicast groups, and routing settings.
– Ensure optimal routing and management of multicast traffic with AWS Config’s monitoring capabilities.

Conclusion

In this extensive guide, we have covered the 22 new resource types now supported by AWS Config. We explored the significance of each resource type and discussed key technical points to enhance your understanding. By leveraging AWS Config, you can monitor and manage your infrastructure’s configuration settings, ensuring compliance, security, and optimal performance. Stay up-to-date with the ever-expanding list of resource types supported by AWS Config to maximize its potential for your organization.