Canary Release
A deployment strategy that gradually rolls out a new application version to a small subset of users before a full-scale release.
Description
In the context of AWS, a Canary Release is a technique used to reduce the risk associated with deploying new features or updates to applications. This approach involves releasing the new version of the application to a small percentage of users initially (the 'canaries'), allowing developers to monitor performance, error rates, and user feedback before making the new version available to everyone. This method is particularly effective for cloud-based applications hosted on AWS, as it leverages features such as AWS Elastic Beanstalk, AWS Lambda, or Amazon ECS to automate and manage the deployment process. If issues are detected during the canary phase, developers can quickly roll back the changes without impacting the majority of users. This strategy not only enhances the reliability of the application but also fosters continuous integration and deployment practices in modern DevOps workflows.
Examples
- Netflix employs Canary Releases to test new features with a small percentage of users, ensuring stability before a wider rollout.
- Amazon uses Canary Releases for its e-commerce platform, allowing it to test changes in a controlled manner to minimize disruption.
Additional Information
- Canary Releases can be automated using AWS CodeDeploy, making it easier to manage deployments and rollbacks.
- Monitoring tools like Amazon CloudWatch can be integrated to track the performance of the canary version in real-time.