Techniques for performing blue/green deployments in AWS

Implementing blue/green deployments in AWS can be done in a variety of ways. Recognized patterns have emerged for successful ways to implement these deployments. As we look at each technique described, specific services used will be featured. Different applications lean toward different patterns.

Updating DNS routing with Route 53

The Route 53 service allows you to use hosted zones once you have brought up your new environment. Adding the additional record to the record set will then create a seamless transition to the new application deployment for your end users:

Figure 13.3 – Showing blue/green deployment using Route 53-hosted zones

This switch can be done all at once to force all the traffic to the new green environment. You can also use weighted records to send a portion of the traffic to the green environment, initially as a canary test. These canary users would then generate logs...