Introducing Vizier
Vizier was built to give developers a free and open source option for streamlined deployment to AWS. Vizier requires minimal configuration and abstracts away the process of manually provisioning and configuring infrastructure. Applications are deployed to a user’s own AWS account, and the only charge is to their own AWS bill. Unlike with a highly-managed PaaS, users have full access to all application resources.
Vizier is a CLI that works with the user’s local files to deploy a set of interconnected resources. The user selects from five predetermined stacks depending on the structure of their application. Vizier then deploys them to AWS as a CloudFormation stack via AWS’s Cloud Development Kit.
Vizier targets users who are comfortable with the basics of AWS, but don’t want to deal with everything manually. Vizier reduces configuration burden in part by restricting users to a three-tier full stack architecture composed of a front end, a back end, and a database. As an open source tool, it can be modified by the user.
Vizier Versus Alternatives
Section titled “Vizier Versus Alternatives”| AWS | Platform as a Service | Vizier | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Source | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Easy Setup | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Cost | Low | High | Low |
| Customization | High | Medium | Low |
| Infrastructure Access | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Support | Low | High | ❌ |