Want to automate provisioning and de-provisioning? Here’s how to leverage Amazon WorkSpaces in conjunction with AWS Lambda for serverless provisioning.
Key Takeaways
- Provisioning and de-provisioning Windows and Linux desktops the traditional way can be costly and time-consuming.
- Integrating Amazon WorkSpaces with AWS Lambda will save time and money on desktop delivery.
- Lambda lets businesses run code without managing or provisioning servers, and businesses can use it in combination with WorkSpaces for serverless provisioning.
- Centricity’s Secure Amazon Workspaces platform empowers technical and non-technical users alike to seamlessly provision and de-provision Windows and Linux desktops.
- With support from an Amazon Managed Service Partner like CloudHesive, your business is well-equipped to get the most value out of its WorkSpaces-Lambda integration.
Amazon WorkSpaces is quickly becoming a must-have for many businesses. This desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) solution lets companies provide workers with anywhere, anytime access to Windows and Linux desktops. But, if you’re struggling with Amazon WorkSpaces automation and want to find a way to efficiently provision and de-provision desktops for your users, we recommend serverless provisioning with AWS Lambda.
What is AWS Lambda?
AWS Lambda provides a serverless compute service that lets you run code without managing or provisioning servers. You can use Lambda to run code for virtually any application or backend service — with no administration necessary.
To use Lambda, you only need to upload code as a ZIP file or container image. Next, Lambda allocates sufficient compute execution power and runs your code.
With Lambda, you can set up your code to automatically trigger from a wide range of AWS services. Or you can use Lambda to call your code via a web or mobile app. You can even write Lambda functions in Node.js, Python, or other programming languages and use serverless and container tools to develop, assess, and implement different functions.
AWS Lambda benefits
Reasons why businesses use AWS Lambda include:
1. No servers required
There is no need to manage or provision infrastructure with Lambda. You only need to write code and upload it to Lambda, then the service allocates compute execution power and executes your code based on the incoming request or event, regardless of scale of traffic.
2. Ongoing scalability
Lambda automatically scales your app by running code in accordance with each event. It ensures that your code runs in parallel to each event and processes each trigger independently. At the same time, Lambda scales based on the size of the workload and can handle anywhere from a few requests per day to hundreds of thousands of requests per second.
3. Cost optimization
With Lambda, you are charged for every millisecond your code executes and the number of times your code is activated. You only pay for the compute time you use.
4. Consistent performance
Lambda lets you choose the right memory size based on your function, so you’re well-equipped to maximize code execution time. Also, Lambda lets you keep your functions hyper-ready to respond within double-digit milliseconds.
The bottom line: Lambda is a great option to execute code in response to data or system state changes, user actions, or other triggers. You can also use Lambda to build real-time serverless data processing systems, backends, and more.
Using AWS Lambda for serverless provisioning: What you need to know
1. If you’ve adopted Amazon WorkSpaces and want to use AWS Lambda for serverless provisioning, you first need to create a Lambda function for VPC access.
2. Next, use the LDAP3 Python library to connect to directory services and conduct an LDAPS search to get a list of members in a directory group.
3. Leverage the Python Boto3 library to access the WorkSpaces API, which lets you compare directory group members to current WorkSpaces users.
4. Lastly, create a WorkSpaces for group members who do not have one and remove WorkSpaces for users no longer in the group.
Integrating WorkSpaces with Lambda is one option for serverless provisioning. But, for WorkSpaces users who lack the technical skills and resources necessary to utilize Lambda to the fullest extent, the Centricity Secure Amazon Workspaces platform provides a viable alternative.
How to use Centricity’s Secure Amazon Workspaces platform for serverless provisioning
Centricity’s Secure Amazon Workspaces platform powered by Amazon WorkSpaces and LiquidWare Stratosphere lets users — regardless of technical expertise — enjoy the full benefits of serverless provisioning. The platform also ensures you won’t have to hire a team of engineers to provision and de-provision Windows and Linux desktops.
Secure Amazon Workspaces uses a building-block-style approach to make it easy for users to seamlessly provision and de-provision Windows and Linux desktops. In fact, you can use the platform to manage and oversee thousands of WorkSpaces across multiple AWS accounts from a single interface.
In addition, Secure Amazon Workspaces promotes security, performance, and cost savings. The platform offers advanced security controls, so you can comply with HIPAA, PCI, and other data security mandates. It also lets you drill down into individual workspace performance and gain comprehensive insights at your convenience. You can even schedule maintenance to help you minimize the risk of performance issues and lower your operating costs.
Take advantage of serverless provisioning with Amazon WorkSpaces and AWS Lambda
Amazon WorkSpaces can play an important role in your end-user computing (EUC) strategy. The platform lets you simplify desktop delivery, particularly when it is used in combination with AWS Lambda for serverless provisioning.
Of course, using WorkSpaces and Lambda together offers no guarantees. If you want to get the most value out of the integration, it helps to partner with an Amazon Managed Service Partner like CloudHesive.
CloudHesive offers Amazon Managed Services to help you build, implement, and manage your EUC strategy. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you take advantage of serverless provisioning with WorkSpaces and Lambda.
