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AWS Systems Manager State Manager
What it is
AWS Systems Manager State Manager helps AWS customers keep managed nodes and other AWS resources in a defined state. It uses associations to specify the configuration to maintain, when to apply it, and which resources to include. Associations can target resources by tags, AWS Resource Groups, individual node IDs, or all managed nodes in the current Region and account. They can run immediately or later and accept most standard cron and rate expressions, though cron expressions cannot specify months. For managed nodes, State Manager can bootstrap software, schedule agent updates, configure network settings, join nodes to a Microsoft Active Directory domain, and run scripts on Linux, macOS, and Windows Server. It supports drift detection, patch management, policy as code, and compliance reporting. Association output can be stored in Amazon S3, and the service works with Amazon EventBridge rules. State Manager is cloud-based and has no additional charge, though limits may apply. AWS follows a shared responsibility model for security.
For and against
For
- No additional charge, though limits may apply
- Targets resources by tags, groups, IDs, or account
- Supports drift detection and patch management
- Can store association output in Amazon S3
Against
- Association cron expressions cannot specify months
- Limits may apply despite no additional charge
The verdict
State Manager provides AWS customers with configurable ways to maintain resource states and manage nodes. Its scheduling and targeting options are useful to consider alongside the cron-month restriction and applicable limits.
Who it suits
It suits AWS customers who want to manage resource configurations and reduce configuration drift. Teams managing Linux, macOS, or Windows Server nodes can use its configuration and scheduling options.
Plans and prices
AWS Systems Manager State Manager
No additional charge · Limits may apply
Read 5 Oct 2026 · aws.amazon.com
On the record
- Associations
- Associations define the state to maintain on AWS resources, along with when to apply the configuration and which resources to target.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Third-party auditors assess Systems Manager under multiple assurance programs, including SOC, PCI, FedRAMP, and HIPAA.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- State Manager supports storing association run output in Amazon S3 and is supported as an event type and target type in Amazon EventBridge rules.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Node management
- It can bootstrap software, schedule agent updates, configure network settings, join nodes to a Microsoft Active Directory domain, and run scripts on Linux, macOS, and Windows Server managed nodes.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Price limits
- State Manager has no additional charge, though limits may apply.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- State Manager automates keeping managed nodes and other AWS resources in a state that you define.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Scheduling
- Associations support immediate or delayed processing and most standard cron and rate expressions; cron expressions for associations do not support specifying months.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- AWS Systems Manager follows a shared responsibility model: AWS protects the cloud infrastructure, while customer responsibilities depend on the service and their data and requirements.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Targeting
- Associations can target resources by tags, AWS Resource Groups, individual node IDs, or all managed nodes in the current Region and account.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- AWS customers can use State Manager to improve management and governance of AWS resources and reduce configuration drift.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
