About This Course
This program provides a comprehensive overview of AWS cloud concepts and core services. It's designed for individuals seeking to understand cloud computing fundamentals and gain hands-on experience with the leading cloud platform. You'll learn how to navigate the AWS console, launch virtual servers, store data securely, manage user access, monitor resources, and understand cost implications.
Whether you're an IT professional looking to upskill, a developer aiming to deploy applications in the cloud, or someone new to tech exploring career options, this course equips you with the essential knowledge to start your AWS journey and prepares you for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.
Learning Outcomes
- Define cloud computing concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and understand AWS global infrastructure.
- Navigate the AWS Management Console and understand core account security practices.
- Launch, manage, and connect to Amazon EC2 instances.
- Utilize Amazon S3 for object storage and understand basic EBS volume management.
- Grasp fundamental VPC concepts (subnets, security groups, IGWs).
- Manage users, groups, roles, and permissions using AWS IAM.
- Understand the use cases for AWS managed databases (RDS, DynamoDB).
- Monitor AWS resources using CloudWatch metrics and alarms.
- Utilize AWS Billing tools and understand basic cost management principles.
- Gain awareness of serverless concepts (Lambda), API logging (CloudTrail), and the Well-Architected Framework.
Prerequisites
No prior cloud computing experience is necessary. A basic understanding of IT concepts is helpful but not mandatory.
- Basic computer literacy.
- Familiarity with general networking concepts (IP addresses, servers) is beneficial.
- Eagerness to learn about cloud technologies.
Curriculum Breakdown
Week 1: Cloud Computing & AWS Basics
Topics Covered:
- Defining Cloud Computing (benefits, service/deployment models)
- Introduction to AWS: history, global infrastructure (Regions, AZs, Edge)
- Navigating the AWS Console
- Setting up a Free Tier account & Billing Alarms
E-Tivities:
- Create an AWS account & Explore the Console
- Set up a billing alarm
- Read AWS overview whitepaper
Week 2: Core Compute & Storage (EC2 & S3)
Topics Covered:
- Amazon EC2 (virtual servers, instance types - conceptual, AMIs)
- Launching an EC2 instance (Linux Free Tier) & Security Groups (SSH)
- Connecting to your instance & Stopping vs. Terminating
- Amazon S3 (object storage, buckets, objects, use cases)
- Uploading/downloading via console
E-Tivities:
- Launch a t2.micro EC2 instance & Configure Security Group
- Connect to the instance & Practice start/stop/terminate
- Create an S3 bucket and upload/download a file
Week 3: More Core Storage & Basic Networking (EBS & VPC)
Topics Covered:
- Amazon EBS (persistent block storage, volume types - basics)
- Creating and attaching an EBS volume & EBS Snapshots
- Amazon VPC (isolated network, subnets - public/private concept)
- Internet Gateway (IGW) & Route Tables (basic)
- Security Groups (revisited) vs. Network ACLs (NACLs - basic difference)
E-Tivities:
- Launch EC2, create/attach EBS volume, create snapshot
- Explore the default VPC in the console (subnets, route table, IGW)
Week 4: Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Topics Covered:
- AWS Shared Responsibility Model
- What is IAM? Users, Groups, Roles, Policies (JSON concept)
- Principle of Least Privilege
- Root User vs. IAM Users & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
E-Tivities:
- Create an IAM user with specific permissions (e.g., S3 read-only)
- Create an IAM group and add the user
- Set up MFA for root account and IAM user
- Examine an AWS-managed policy JSON
Week 5: AWS Databases & Basic Monitoring (RDS, DynamoDB & CloudWatch)
Topics Covered:
- Benefits of managed databases
- Amazon RDS (Relational - PostgreSQL, MySQL - mention key features)
- Amazon DynamoDB (NoSQL - key features)
- Use cases for Relational vs. NoSQL
- Amazon CloudWatch (monitoring, metrics - EC2 CPU, alarms)
E-Tivities:
- Explore the RDS and DynamoDB consoles
- Read documentation comparing them
- View CloudWatch metrics for an EC2 instance & Create a simple CloudWatch Alarm
Week 6: Logging, Cost Management, Serverless Intro & Next Steps
Topics Covered:
- AWS CloudTrail (API call logging)
- AWS Billing & Cost Management Dashboard, Cost Explorer, AWS Budgets
- Introduction to AWS Lambda (serverless functions, basic triggers)
- Introduction to API Gateway (basic API concept)
- AWS Well-Architected Framework (overview of pillars)
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) concept (CloudFormation/Terraform mention)
- AWS Certification paths (Cloud Practitioner) & Where to learn more
E-Tivities:
- Explore CloudTrail event history & Review Billing Dashboard/Cost Explorer
- Read about common Lambda use cases & Well-Architected Framework pillars
- Research AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam
Certificate Information
Upon successful completion, you'll receive an IgniteSkillz Certificate in AWS Cloud Foundations, validating your understanding of core AWS services and cloud concepts, beneficial for pursuing further AWS certifications.
Certificate Benefits:
- Industry-recognized credential
- Verification links for employers
- LinkedIn integration