AWS CLI vs Putty: What are the differences?

Key Differences between AWS CLI and Putty

AWS CLI (Command Line Interface) and PuTTY are both tools used in managing and interacting with AWS (Amazon Web Services) infrastructure. However, there are several key differences between the two:

1. Usage: AWS CLI is a command line tool that allows users to interact with various AWS services using commands, while PuTTY is a graphical SSH, Telnet, and Rlogin client used for connecting to remote servers securely.

2. Functionality: AWS CLI provides a comprehensive set of commands and features that enable users to automate and manage AWS resources, such as creating and managing EC2 instances, S3 buckets, and IAM policies. On the other hand, PuTTY primarily focuses on providing secure remote server access and does not offer the same level of AWS-specific functionality.

3. Platform Support: AWS CLI is designed to be used on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile tool for managing AWS resources. In contrast, PuTTY is primarily available for Windows operating systems, although there are alternative versions (such as PuTTY for Unix) that provide similar functionality for other platforms.

4. Interface: AWS CLI provides a text-based command line interface, where users can execute commands and interact with the AWS services. PuTTY, on the other hand, offers a graphical user interface (GUI) with menu options and graphical representations of the remote server connections.

5. Authentication: AWS CLI uses AWS Access Key ID and Secret Access Key for authentication, which are provided by AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management). PuTTY supports various authentication methods, including passwords, public key authentication, and keyboard-interactive authentication, offering more flexibility in terms of how users can authenticate to remote servers.

6. Cost: AWS CLI is a free and open-source tool provided by AWS, and users only incur the standard AWS service charges when using the CLI to manage and interact with AWS resources. PuTTY is also free to use, but there may be additional costs associated with the server hosting or remote access services used in conjunction with PuTTY.

In Summary, AWS CLI is a command line tool specifically designed for managing AWS resources, offering extensive AWS-specific functionality, multi-platform support, and secure authentication. On the other hand, PuTTY is primarily used for secure remote server access and supports a variety of authentication methods, but it does not provide the same level of AWS-specific capabilities as AWS CLI.