Question 1

What's the difference between AWS Systems Manager and AWS OpsWorks?

Accepted Answer

Systems Manager is for ongoing operations across many servers—patching, inventory, remote commands, and automation—without requiring a specific application framework. OpsWorks is a configuration management service built around Chef/Puppet-style stacks and app deployments. If you mainly need fleet operations and automation for EC2 and hybrid servers, Systems Manager is usually the better fit.

Question 2

When should I use AWS Systems Manager?

Accepted Answer

Use it when you need to manage many instances consistently: automate patching, run commands across fleets, enforce configuration (desired state), collect inventory, or securely access instances without opening inbound SSH/RDP. It’s especially useful for multi-account or hybrid environments where you want centralized control and auditability.

Question 3

How much does AWS Systems Manager cost?

Accepted Answer

Many core features (like Run Command, State Manager, Patch Manager, and Automation) do not have an additional service charge, but you still pay for the underlying resources and related services. Common cost drivers include: EC2 instance costs, CloudWatch Logs/metrics if you stream output, S3 storage for artifacts/logs, and any paid Systems Manager capabilities you enable (for example, advanced features or higher-tier options where applicable). Always confirm current pricing for your region and the specific features you use.

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