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AWS Systems Manager State Manager

docs.aws.amazon.com

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Spec score 8.0 #9 of 26 in IT Operations Management Software

What it is

AWS Systems Manager State Manager automates keeping managed nodes and other AWS resources in a state that customers define. Its associations specify the configuration to maintain, when to apply it and which resources to target. Targets can be selected by tags, AWS Resource Groups, individual node IDs or all managed nodes in the current Region and account. Associations can run immediately or later and accept most standard cron and rate expressions, but association cron expressions cannot specify months. On Linux, macOS and Windows Server managed nodes, State Manager can bootstrap software, schedule agent updates, configure network settings, join nodes to a Microsoft Active Directory domain and run scripts. Association run output can be stored in Amazon S3, and State Manager is supported as an event type and target type in Amazon EventBridge rules. It has no additional charge, although limits may apply. State Manager runs as a cloud service with an agent-based model. AWS Systems Manager follows a shared responsibility model: AWS protects cloud infrastructure, while customer responsibilities depend on the service, data and requirements. Third-party auditors assess Systems Manager under assurance programs including SOC, PCI, FedRAMP and HIPAA.

Spec sheet

Purpose
State Manager automates keeping managed nodes and other AWS resources in a state that you define.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
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.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
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.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
Compliance
Third-party auditors assess Systems Manager under multiple assurance programs, including SOC, PCI, FedRAMP, and HIPAA.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
Associations
Associations define the state to maintain on AWS resources, along with when to apply the configuration and which resources to target.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
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.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
Price limits
State Manager has no additional charge, though limits may apply.Read 5 Oct 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Scheduling
Associations support immediate or delayed processing and most standard cron and rate expressions; cron expressions for associations do not support specifying months.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
Targeting
Associations can target resources by tags, AWS Resource Groups, individual node IDs, or all managed nodes in the current Region and account.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
Who it is for
AWS customers can use State Manager to improve management and governance of AWS resources and reduce configuration drift.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com

Plans and prices

AWS Systems Manager State Manager Free No additional charge · Limits may apply Read 5 Oct 2026 · aws.amazon.com

Every AWS Systems Manager State Manager plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Automates maintaining a defined resource state
  • Targets resources by tags, groups or node IDs
  • Supports scripts on Linux, macOS and Windows Server
  • No additional charge

Limits

  • Limits may apply
  • Association cron expressions cannot specify months
  • Runs as a cloud service

Who it suits

State Manager suits AWS customers seeking to manage configuration across nodes and other AWS resources. Its associations can target individual nodes or groups of resources.

Verdict

State Manager provides scheduled or immediate configuration management for managed nodes and other AWS resources, with several targeting options. It has no additional charge, but limits may apply and cron associations cannot specify months.

Where Specifiction places it

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