13.6. How to configure AWS Lambda: Managing permissions and roles in IAM for Lambda

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13.6. How to configure AWS Lambda: Managing permissions and roles in IAM for Lambda

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a series of services that allow developers to create, deploy, and manage applications in the cloud. Among these services, AWS Lambda and API Gateway are two of the most popular for backend development. In this chapter, we will focus on configuring AWS Lambda, specifically managing permissions and roles in IAM for Lambda.

Introduction to AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda is a compute service that lets you run your code without provisioning or managing servers. You can run your code for virtually any type of application or backend service without having to manage the infrastructure. To use AWS Lambda, you need to configure permissions and roles correctly in AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM).

Permissions and Roles in IAM

IAM is an AWS service that helps you control access to AWS resources. It lets you create and manage AWS users and use permissions to allow or deny their access to AWS resources. In the context of AWS Lambda, IAM permissions and roles are used to determine what Lambda can and cannot do.

Configuring Permissions and Roles in IAM for Lambda

Configuring permissions and roles in IAM for Lambda involves several steps. First, you need to create an IAM role. A role is an IAM entity that defines a set of permissions for making and managing requests to AWS. IAM roles are similar to user accounts, but with some important differences. While a user account represents a specific person, a role is assumed by a service like Lambda to perform actions on your behalf.

To create a role, go to the IAM console and click "Roles" in the left navigation pane. Click "Create role" and select "Lambda" as the trusted service type. Next, you need to set permissions for the role. Permissions determine what the role can and cannot do. For example, you can allow the role to access an S3 bucket or invoke a Lambda function.

After setting permissions, you can review and create the role. The role can now be assumed by Lambda to perform actions on your behalf.

In addition to creating roles, you can also manage permissions for existing Lambda functions. To do this, go to the IAM console and click "Roles" in the left navigation pane. Select the role you want to manage and click "Permissions Policy". Here, you can add, remove, or modify permissions for the role.

Conclusion

Managing permissions and roles in IAM for Lambda is a crucial part of setting up AWS Lambda. This allows you to precisely control what Lambda can and cannot do, ensuring the security and efficiency of your applications. Always remember to follow security best practices when configuring permissions and roles, such as granting the least privileges necessary and regularly reviewing permissions to ensure they are still appropriate.

With a solid understanding of how to configure permissions and roles in IAM for Lambda, you are well equipped to make the most of AWS Lambda and API Gateway for backend development.

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4813.7. How to Configure AWS Lambda: Monitoring and Tracking Lambda Functions with CloudWatch