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Asked: 2024-09-27T17:29:29+05:30 In:

How can I configure an AWS Systems Manager patch baseline to allow for specific exceptions or overrides when applying patches to my instances? I am looking for guidance on how to set up the appropriate rules and conditions for these exceptions within the patch baseline.

I’ve been diving into AWS Systems Manager lately, especially looking into patch management, and I’m trying to get my head around configuring patch baselines. Here’s the thing: I want to set up a patch baseline that will let me make exceptions for certain instances or applications when I apply patches. I know I can create a baseline that defines which patches to apply, but I’m really curious about how to configure rules or conditions that allow for specific overrides.

For instance, what if I have a couple of instances running an older version of a software that needs to be kept intact because it’s tied to some critical functionality? I don’t want those instances to be patched automatically since it could lead to compatibility issues. On the flip side, I definitely need to keep other instances – the ones that aren’t as crucial – updated with the latest security patches. How can I set this up without overcomplicating things?

I heard something about using “approval rules” and “exceptions” when configuring the baselines, but I’m not sure how to implement that effectively. Do I need to tag my instances or use their IDs somehow? And when it comes to defining the exceptions, can I specify them based on instance groups, or does it have to be more granular?

Also, if I decide to set a baseline for my production instances, is there a way to ensure that they only get patched if they meet certain conditions? I want to avoid lengthy downtime or any unintended disruptions.

I’d appreciate any insights or examples from folks who have navigated this before. Did you face any challenges, or did something particular stand out as especially useful in your setup? Any tips on common pitfalls to avoid would be great too. Thanks!

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    2 Answers

    1. AWS Systems Manager Patch Management

      Setting up patch baselines in AWS Systems Manager can definitely feel a bit overwhelming, especially when you want to manage exceptions for specific instances or applications. Here’s a simplified explanation to help you get started!

      Creating Patch Baselines

      Firstly, you can create a patch baseline which defines what patches to apply. When it comes to exceptions, you’ll want to think about approval rules. This is where you can set conditions to allow specific instances to be excluded from auto-patching.

      Using Tags for Exceptions

      One way to manage exceptions is by tagging your instances. You can create tags like PatchApproval=Skip for instances you want to keep intact. When you set up your approval rules in the baseline, you can then specify that instances with this tag won’t be patched.

      Defining Approval Rules

      Your approval rules can be configured to allow or disallow certain patches based on the tags you’ve set. For example, if you have a group of instances that need to hold onto an older version of software, you could tag those and set an approval rule that excludes them from being patched.

      Group vs. Granular Exceptions

      You can define rules quite flexibly. If you’re okay patching a whole group, you can do that. But for more control, you might want to go instance-by-instance with specific tags tied to your approval rules.

      Ensuring Safe Patching

      To make sure your production instances aren’t disrupted, consider setting conditions on the patches themselves. For example, you can define a cutoff date for patches or require certain checks before applying them. This way, you can avoid unintended downtime.

      Common Pitfalls

      Some common pitfalls to watch out for:

      • Not testing your baselines on non-production instances first.
      • Setting overly broad approval rules that might include critical instances.
      • Forgetting to regularly review and update your approval rules as software versions change.

      In summary, with some good tagging and clear approval rules, you can easily manage patch exceptions without too much fuss. Good luck with your patch management journey in AWS!

    2. To configure patch baselines in AWS Systems Manager with exceptions for specific instances or applications, you will primarily use “approval rules” and “exceptions.” Approval rules allow you to specify which patches to approve or reject based on certain criteria, while exceptions can be defined to exclude specific instances from being patched. One common approach to manage exceptions is to tag the instances you want to exclude, such as adding a tag key like “PatchExclude” with a value of “true.” You can then create your patch baseline to include rules that exclude instances based on these tags.

      For instance, if you have a few critical instances running older software versions that must remain untouched during patch deployments, you would assign them the exclusion tag. In your patch baseline configuration, you can specify these tagging rules, which will prevent these instances from being automatically patched. Additionally, you can implement approval rules to ensure that only instances satisfying certain conditions get patched. This setup allows you to strike a balance between maintaining strict updates on non-critical instances while preserving stability on crucial systems without introducing complexity. As for avoiding disruptions, consider scheduling patching during maintenance windows and setting up a monitoring system to evaluate the health of your instances post-patch, ensuring any required rollbacks can be executed swiftly.

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