A Comprehensive Overview of Amazon Web Services

 

• What is AWS?

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is an Amazon company offering governments, businesses, and individuals access to on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) on a metered pay-per-use basis. Launched in 2006, AWS provides a suite of scalable, adaptable, user-friendly, and affordable cloud computing solutions. It combines infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and packaged software as a service (SaaS).

 

• When did AWS start?

Amazon introduced AWS in March 2006, making it the first major cloud vendor available on the market, significantly impacting the business and IT landscapes.

 

• What is AWS used for?

AWS comprises over 200 services that can be employed for various purposes, such as:

1. File Storage: Store files like screenshots, videos, and others for easy access.

2. Web Hosting: Host websites using services like Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, and Amazon Route 53.

3. Application Development: Build applications, including web and mobile apps.

4. Database Management: Use services like Amazon RDS, DynamoDB, and Aurora.

5. Content Delivery: Distribute content globally quickly and affordably.

6. Machine Learning and AI: Leverage AI and machine learning services for various applications.

7. IoT: Manage and analyze data from IoT devices.

8. Big Data Analytics: Use powerful analytics tools to process and analyze large datasets.

 

• Who uses AWS technology?

AWS is utilized by a wide range of industries, from startups and SMEs to large enterprises and public sector organizations. Prominent users include Netflix, Twitch, Facebook, BBC, ESPN, Airbnb, McDonald’s, and Ticketmaster. AWS holds a significant market share, being the most popular cloud provider according to Gartner.

 

• Important Cloud Services provided by AWS

1. Compute

- AWS EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud): Provides scalable virtual servers.

- AWS Elastic Beanstalk: Offers rapid application deployment.

- AWS Lambda: Allows running code without provisioning or managing servers.

2. Networking

- Amazon VPC: Enables building a private network in the cloud.

- Amazon Route 53: A cloud-based DNS web service.

3. Storage

- Amazon S3: Scalable storage solution for storing and retrieving any amount of data.

- Amazon Glacier: Low-cost storage for data archiving and long-term backup.

4. Databases

- Amazon RDS: Managed relational database service.

- DynamoDB: NoSQL database service for key-value and document data.

 

• AWS Fundamentals Specialization (available on Scoopen)

1. Going Cloud Native: Covers AWS core services & infrastructure.

2. Addressing Security Risks: Provides insights into building apps on AWS securely.

3. Migrating to Cloud: Offers guidance on transferring current workloads to AWS.

4. Building Serverless Applications: Focuses on building and deploying serverless applications.

 

• AWS Certifications Courses

- Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02

- AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate

- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional 2024 DOP-C02

- AWS Certified Developer

- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator

- AWS Certified Database

- AWS Certified Advanced Networking

- AWS Certified Security

- AWS Data Analytics

- AWS Certified Machine Learning

 

• AWS Training Courses & Tutorials

1. Cloud Fundamentals

2. Developer & Architect Training

3. AWS for Networking

4. Certification Exams

 

• Disadvantages of AWS

- Paid Support: Requires paid support packages for intensive help.

- Resource Limits: Default AWS restrictions on resources, which may require requests for increases.

- Technical Support Costs: Varies by package (developer, company, enterprise).

- Cloud Computing Issues: Potential for downtime, limited control, and backup protection concerns.

 

• How much does AWS cost?

The cost of implementing AWS cloud services depends on the scale and nature of a company’s requirements. AWS offers a highly flexible and cost-effective pricing structure based on a pay-as-you-go model. The best way to estimate costs is by using Amazon’s price calculators.