Amazon CloudWatch is a monitoring and management service designed specifically to support cloud infrastructure on AWS. It monitors every critical component of the cloud ecosystem, including servers, applications, databases, and other resources.
Amazon CloudWatch is not just a monitoring tool, but a source of insight into what is happening in the cloud environment, identifying potential problems before they become disasters and fine-tuning system performance. Without proper monitoring, managing cloud infrastructure on AWS can be a daunting task. That is why Amazon CloudWatch is such an important tool.
In this article, CDT will take a closer look at Amazon CloudWatch. Starting with the definition, features, and benefits. Check out the explanation below.
What is Amazon Cloudwatch?
Amazon CloudWatch is an AWS monitoring service that helps track the performance of cloud resources and applications. With Amazon CloudWatch, users can identify problems and take action to resolve them, keeping applications running smoothly.
Amazon CloudWatch can monitor AWS resources, such as Amazon EC2 instances, Amazon DynamoDB tables, and Amazon RDS DB instances, as well as application- and service-specific metrics, including log files generated in on-premises, hybrid, or other cloud environments.
How Amazon CloudWatch Works and Benefits of Using Amazon CloudWatch
Source: aws.amazon.com
Amazon CloudWatch works by collecting metrics, logs, and events from AWS resources and the applications running on them. Metrics are variables that can be measured, such as CPU usage, disk usage, and memory usage. Logs are records of activity generated by resources and applications. Events are things that happen in the AWS environment, such as EC2 instances starting or stopping.
CloudWatch collects this data from several sources, ranging from the CloudWatch Agent installed on the EC2 instance, the CloudWatch API, the AWS SDK, and other AWS services such as Amazon EC2, Amazon DynamoDB, and Amazon RDS.
After the data is collected, it is stored in the CloudWatch repository. The data stored in CloudWatch can be viewed in several ways, as follows
- Dashboard: Visualizations that display metrics, logs, and events from resources and applications.
- Alarm: Alerts that are sent to users when certain metrics, logs, or events exceed or fall below a specified threshold.
- Insights: Analytics tools that allow users to analyze logs and identify patterns and trends
In addition, CloudWatch can be used to take automatic actions when certain metrics, logs, or events occur. For example, start a new EC2 instance when the CPU usage in an existing EC2 instance exceeds a certain threshold.
There are at least three benefits to using Amazon CloudWatch: First, users can access all data from one platform, helping to break down data silos (servers, networks, and databases) so that users can gain visibility across the system.
Second, Amazon CloudWatch also provides real-time information to minimize operational and application costs and AWS resources. Third, CloudWatch makes it easy to search, analyze, and visualize logs to troubleshoot operational issues and keep applications running smoothly. Finally, CloudWatch provides comprehensive operational visibility across AWS applications, IT stacks, and services.
6 Amazon CloudWatch Features
CloudWatch allows users to identify problems early and take action to resolve them with features that include
1. Metrics
Quantitative data collected from AWS resources and applications. Metrics can be used to track resource utilization, application performance, and operating conditions.
2. Logs
Records of activity generated by resources and applications that can be used to diagnose problems and improve application performance.
3. Events
Events that occur in the AWS environment and can be used for activity monitoring and automated actions.
4. Alarm
An alert or notification is sent to the user when certain metrics, logs, or events exceed or fall below a specified threshold.
5. Insights
Analytics tools that allow you to analyze logs and discover patterns and trends.
6. Actions on CloudWatch Events
This feature allows users to take automated actions when specific metrics, logs, or events occur.
Read More: The Secret Behind Amazon SQS to Optimize Your Business Apps
4 Use Cases for Amazon CloudWatch
There are many use cases for Amazon CloudWatch, but here are four you need to know about.
1. Monitoring Amazon EC2
CloudWatch provides detailed monitoring for EC2 instances with better resolution and inclusion of metrics at an additional cost. Users do not need to install any additional software.
2. Monitor Other Amazon Web Services Resources
Metrics on Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon EBS, Amazon RDS DB, Amazon Elastic MapReduce, Elastic Load Balancers, Amazon SQL, Amazon SNS, and other services can be monitored for free without the need to install any additional software.
3. Monitor Custom Metrics
Custom metrics generated by the application can be sent through a simple API request and monitored by Amazon CloudWatch. Users can send and store metrics that are important to the operation of the application to troubleshoot and identify trends.
4. Monitor and Store Logs
CloudWatch Logs can monitor and troubleshoot applications using system, application and custom log files. This can help users better understand and operate systems and applications, while storing logs in durable, cost-effective storage.
Get Amazon CloudWatch only at CDT
It’s time to take full control of the performance and security of your AWS infrastructure. Amazon CloudWatch, a reliable and advanced monitoring service, can optimize your services in real time. Central Data Technology (CDT), an AWS Partner of the Year Indonesia 2022, will help you implement Amazon CloudWatch, from consultation to after-sales support, so you can avoid trial and error. Interested in Amazon CloudWatch? Contact us today using this link .
Author: Wilsa Azmalia Putri
Content Writer CTI Group
