AWS SNS (Simple Notification Service) Tutorial

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1. Creating and Managing an SNS Topic

Example 1: Create an SNS Topic

aws sns create-topic --name MySNSTopic

Explanation

1. Creates a new SNS topic for messaging.

   • aws sns create-topic

2. Requires a unique topic name (MySNSTopic).

   • --name MySNSTopic

3. SNS topics allow multiple subscribers (email, SMS, Lambda, SQS).

   • create-topic

4. Useful for event-driven architectures and notifications.

   • create-topic

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Example 2: List All SNS Topics

aws sns list-topics

Explanation

1. Retrieves all SNS topics in an AWS account.

   • aws sns list-topics

2. Displays topic ARNs (Amazon Resource Names).

   • list-topics

3. Useful for managing multiple SNS notification channels.

   • list-topics

4. Can be used to verify topic creation and access.

   • list-topics

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Example 3: Get SNS Topic Attributes

aws sns get-topic-attributes --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic

Explanation

1. Retrieves metadata about a specific SNS topic.

   • aws sns get-topic-attributes

2. Requires a valid SNS topic ARN.

   • --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic

3. Shows policies, delivery status, and subscriptions.

   • get-topic-attributes

4. Useful for debugging and verifying configurations.

   • get-topic-attributes

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Example 4: Delete an SNS Topic

aws sns delete-topic --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic

Explanation

1. Removes an SNS topic permanently.

   • aws sns delete-topic

2. Requires a topic ARN to prevent accidental deletion.

   • --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic

3. Deletes all associated subscriptions automatically.

   • delete-topic

4. Cannot be undone once deleted.

   • delete-topic

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2. Subscribing to an SNS Topic

Example 1: Subscribe an Email Address

aws sns subscribe --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic --protocol email --notification-endpoint user@example.com

Explanation

1. Adds an email address as an SNS subscriber.

   • aws sns subscribe

2. Requires the SNS topic ARN for subscription.

   • --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic

3. Uses email as the subscription protocol.

   • --protocol email

4. Sends a confirmation request before enabling notifications.

   • --notification-endpoint user@example.com

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Example 2: Subscribe an SQS Queue

aws sns subscribe --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic --protocol sqs --notification-endpoint arn:aws:sqs:us-east-1:123456789012:MyQueue

Explanation

1. Links an SQS queue to receive SNS messages.

   • aws sns subscribe

2. Requires an existing SNS topic ARN.

   • --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic

3. Uses sqs as the protocol for queue-based messaging.

   • --protocol sqs

4. Messages are pushed automatically to the SQS queue.

   • --notification-endpoint arn:aws:sqs:us-east-1:123456789012:MyQueue

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Example 3: List All Subscriptions

aws sns list-subscriptions

Explanation

1. Retrieves all SNS subscriptions across topics.

   • aws sns list-subscriptions

2. Shows subscriber protocols (email, SQS, Lambda, HTTP).

   • list-subscriptions

3. Lists pending and confirmed subscriptions.

   • list-subscriptions

4. Useful for auditing and managing notification services.

   • list-subscriptions

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Example 4: Unsubscribe from an SNS Topic

aws sns unsubscribe --subscription-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySubscription

Explanation

1. Removes a subscriber from an SNS topic.

   • aws sns unsubscribe

2. Requires a valid subscription ARN.

   • --subscription-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySubscription

3. Prevents further notifications to the subscriber.

   • unsubscribe

4. Useful when deprecating or migrating notification systems.

   • unsubscribe

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3. Publishing Messages to an SNS Topic

Example 1: Send a Simple Notification

aws sns publish --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic --message "Hello from AWS SNS!"

Explanation

1. Sends a message to all SNS subscribers.

   • aws sns publish

2. Requires a valid SNS topic ARN.

   • --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic

3. Message content must be specified.

   • --message "Hello from AWS SNS!"

4. All subscribers receive the message in their respective channels.

   • publish

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Example 2: Send a JSON-Formatted Message

aws sns publish --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic --message '{"default": "Hello!", "email": "Email message", "sqs": "Queue message"}' --message-structure json

Explanation

1. Sends a structured message with different formats.

   • aws sns publish

2. JSON allows different messages per protocol (email, SQS, Lambda).

   • --message-structure json

3. Customizes notifications based on the destination.

   • --message '{"default": "Hello!", "email": "Email message", "sqs": "Queue message"}'

4. Useful for multi-channel messaging and alerts.

   • publish

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Example 3: Send a Message to a Specific Phone Number

aws sns publish --phone-number "+1234567890" --message "Your verification code is 123456"

Explanation

1. Sends an SMS notification directly to a phone.

   • aws sns publish

2. Uses --phone-number instead of --topic-arn.

   • --phone-number "+1234567890"

3. Message content must be kept short for SMS.

   • --message "Your verification code is 123456"

4. Useful for OTPs, alerts, and customer notifications.

   • publish

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Example 4: Publish a Message with Attributes

aws sns publish --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123456789012:MySNSTopic --message "High priority alert!" --message-attributes '{"Priority":{"DataType":"String","StringValue":"High"}}'

Explanation

1. Adds metadata to an SNS message.

   • aws sns publish

2. message-attributes allows tagging messages with properties.

   • --message-attributes '{"Priority":{"DataType":"String","StringValue":"High"}}'

3. Useful for filtering messages in subscribers.

   • "Priority":"High"

4. Enables prioritization in event-driven workflows.

   • publish

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