24x7x365 e360 Client Technical Support: Call (877) 368-4797 opt 9, or

As part of our ongoing series about leveraging cloud native tools for managing cloud-based VDI workloads, this blog will focus on delivering applications using AWS Systems Manager.

AWS Systems Manager is a secure end-to-end management solution for hybrid cloud environments.

Here are some of the use cases for AWS Systems Manager.

  • Centralize operational data. Aggregate data in a single console and gain actionable insights across AWS services such as Amazon CloudWatchAWS CloudTrail, and AWS Config, as well as third-party tools.
  • Automatically resolve application issues. Leverage operational data to easily manage applications and identify issues quickly across associated AWS resource groups.
  • Implement best practices. Automate proactive processes such as patching and resource changes—as well as reactive processes—to quickly diagnose and remediate operational issues before they affect users.
  • Remediate security events. Adapt your security and compliance profile and analyze security events after-the-fact to prevent a future re-occurrence.

(Big thanks to Troy Couch – Associate Director, EUC here at Entisys360 for the technical content below!)

Requirements

  • This blog assumes you already deployed AWS WorkSpaces and have integrated Amazon CloudTrail and AWS CloudWatch
  • NotePad++  is available on GItHub
  • A secured S3 bucket for storing the application package
  1. Browse to Services > Systems Manager
  2. Select Node Management > Hybrid Activations
    Click Create an Activation
  3. Enter a description
    Enter instance limit
    Select Create a System Default Command…
    Enter default instance name
    Click Create Activation

  4. Copy Activation Code and Application ID in a temporary document for later use
  5. View Activation details in Systems Manager
  6. Logon to WorkSpaces and launch desktop
  7. Open PowerShell and select Run as Administrator
  8. Copy the following PowerShell commands to NotePad$code = “activation-code
    $id = “activation-id
    $region = “region
    $dir = $env:TEMP + “\ssm”
    New-Item -ItemType directory -Path $dir -Force
    cd $dir
    (New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile(“https://amazon-ssm-$region.s3.amazonaws.com/latest/windows_amd64/AmazonSSMAgentSetup.exe”, $dir + “\AmazonSSMAgentSetup.exe”)
    Start-Process .\AmazonSSMAgentSetup.exe -ArgumentList @(“/q”, “/log”, “install.log”, “CODE=$code”, “ID=$id”, “REGION=$region”) -Wait
    Get-Content ($env:ProgramData + “\Amazon\SSM\InstanceData\registration”)
    Get-Service -Name “AmazonSSMAgent”
  9. Edit activation-code, activation-id and region (e.g. us-west-2) variables.
  10. Copy and Paste commands into PowerShell
  11. Confirm successful SSM Agent activation
  12. Logoff WorkSpaces and return to AWS Console
  13. Select Services > Systems Manager > Run a Command.
    Click Run a Command
  14. Select the AWS-RunPowerShellScript document.
  15. Copy the following text to deploy NotePad++
    function Install-Npp ($source = ($env:TEMP + “\SW”))
    {
    If (!(Test-Path -Path $source -PathType Container)) {New-Item -Path $source -ItemType Directory | Out-Null}$packages = @(@{title=’Notepad++ 7.8.6′;url=’https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/releases/download/v7.8.6/npp.7.8.6.Installer.exe’;Arguments=’ /Q /S’;Destination=$source})[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12foreach ($package in $packages) {
    $packageName = $package.title
    $fileName = Split-Path $package.url -Leaf
    $destinationPath = $package.Destination + “\” + $fileNameIf (!(Test-Path -Path $destinationPath -PathType Leaf)) {
    Write-Host “Downloading $packageName”
    $webClient = New-Object System.Net.WebClient
    $webClient.DownloadFile($package.url,$destinationPath)
    }}foreach ($package in $packages) {
    $packageName = $package.title
    $fileName = Split-Path $package.url -Leaf
    $destinationPath = $package.Destination + “\” + $fileName
    $Arguments = $package.Arguments
    Write-Output “Installing $packageName”
    Invoke-Expression -Command “$destinationPath $Arguments”
    }}
    Install-Npp
  16. Under Commands, paste the copied text above for NotePad++ installation
  17. Select Choose instances manually
    Select the registered WorkSpaces Agent(s)
    Check Enable an S3 bucket
    Choose an S3 bucket name from the list
    Check Enable CloudWatch logs
    Click Run

  18. Command will be executed and be complete within 5-10 minutes
  19. Confirm Success in the Console
  20. Logon to WorkSpaces and launch desktop
  21. Open Start Menu and check for NotePad++
  22. Open NotePad++
  23. NotePad++ works!

Now you can leverage the cloud native AWS Systems Manager to create more application packages.

Please contact Entisys360 or your Entisys360 Account Executive, if you would like to learn more about integrating AWS WorkSpaces with other AWS services for a more cloud native VDI deployment.

Services

Security

Creating a strategy for managing risk and compliance while helping to filter the myriad of cybersecurity technologies

Modern Infrastructure

Empowering your enterprise to its greatest potential through an efficient and secure IT infrastructure

Digital Workplace

Helping businesses keep infrastructure up-to-date, minimizing security risks, and maintaining compliance

Cloud Enablement

Accelerating IT service delivery through the adoption of agile methodologies using systems-oriented approach

Microsoft Expertise

Helping set goals and establishing benchmarks with the successful deployment of Microsoft solutions

Enterprise Managed Services

Best IT practices with design, configuration, implementation, licensing and environmental services

Markets and Market Support Vehicles

Business

Professional services and renowned expertise aligned with the trends and challenges facing a variety of industries

Healthcare

Addressing IT challenges faced by healthcare organizations through trusted services, solutions and relationships

Public Sector

Helping organizations manage costs and high availability while increasing security, compliance and efficiency

Group Purchasing

Industry-leading IT consulting services and technology solutions through a streamlined contracting process

Resource Library

Events

e360 in-person and online events

Solutions Literature

Access content on e360 services

Blog

Read about trending technology

Press Releases

Get official updates about e360

News Stories

Read about industry and e360 news

Media

e360 webinar and podcast content

About e360

Who We Are

Our mission, vision, leadership and team

Accolades

e360 awards and recognition

Privacy

e360's commitment to privacy

Community

e360's commitment to privacy

Careers

e360 career opportunities

Connect With e360

e360 locations and contact resources