AWS, Cloud Computing, DevOps

3 Mins Read

Real-Time AWS CloudFormation Stack Monitoring with Slack Notifications

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Introduction

Monitoring AWS CloudFormation stack events is crucial to track deployments, updates, and failures. Instead of manually checking AWS Console or Amazon CloudWatch logs, you can automate notifications to a Slack channel.

This post will guide you through setting up an AWS Lambda function that listens to Amazon SNS messages from AWS CloudFormation and sends notifications to Slack.

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How It Works?

  1. An Amazon SNS Topic is created to receive AWS CloudFormation stack events.
  2. AWS Lambda function subscribes to this Amazon SNS topic and processes messages.
  3. The function extracts details like stack name, resource status, and physical resource ID.
  4. If the event is important (e.g., failure or rollback), it is formatted and sent to Slack.

Setting Up the Slack Notification Bot

You must set up a Slack bot with a webhook URL to send messages to a Slack channel. You can follow the guide in this reference to create a Slack webhook and obtain the required URL.

AWS CloudFormation Template

This template provisions:

  • An AWS IAM Role for the Lambda function.
  • AWS Lambda function to process SNS events and send Slack notifications.
  • An Amazon SNS Topic to receive AWS CloudFormation stack events.
  • AWS Lambda Subscription to Amazon SNS for automatic invocation.

AWS Lambda Function Code

This function:

  • Parses Amazon SNS messages from AWS CloudFormation.
  • Extract stack details and resource statuses.
  • Sends notifications to Slack for relevant events.

Conclusion

With this setup:

  • AWS CloudFormation stack events are pushed to an Amazon SNS topic.
  • The AWS Lambda function listens to events and posts critical updates to Slack.
  • You get real-time notifications for failures and rollback actions.

This solution improves visibility and response time for AWS CloudFormation changes in your AWS environment.

Drop a query if you have any questions regarding AWS CloudFormation and we will get back to you quickly.

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About CloudThat

CloudThat is an award-winning company and the first in India to offer cloud training and consulting services worldwide. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, AWS Advanced Tier Training Partner, and Google Cloud Platform Partner, CloudThat has empowered over 850,000 professionals through 600+ cloud certifications winning global recognition for its training excellence including 20 MCT Trainers in Microsoft’s Global Top 100 and an impressive 12 awards in the last 8 years. CloudThat specializes in Cloud Migration, Data Platforms, DevOps, IoT, and cutting-edge technologies like Gen AI & AI/ML. It has delivered over 500 consulting projects for 250+ organizations in 30+ countries as it continues to empower professionals and enterprises to thrive in the digital-first world.

FAQs

1. How do I set up the Slack Webhook URL?

ANS: – You need to create a Slack app and generate an incoming webhook URL. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to Slack API Apps
  2. Click “Create New App”
  3. Select “From Scratch” and provide an app name
  4. Enable “Incoming Webhooks”
  5. Add a new webhook and choose a Slack channel
  6. Copy the generated webhook URL and store it in the AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store under /CFN/slack/webhook/url

2. Can I filter which AWS CloudFormation events trigger Slack notifications?

ANS: – Yes, you can modify the AWS Lambda function to exclude events like CREATE_COMPLETE or UPDATE_COMPLETE and only send failure or rollback notifications.

WRITTEN BY Deepak S

Deepak S is a Senior Research Associate at CloudThat, specializing in AWS services. He is passionate about exploring new technologies in cloud and is also an automobile enthusiast.

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