AWS Cloud Technical Essentials from Coursera

Are you in a technical role and want to learn the fundamentals of AWS? Do you aspire to have a job or career as a cloud developer, architect, or in an operations role? If so, AWS Cloud Technical Essentials is an ideal way to start. This course was designed for those at the beginning of their cloud-learning journey - no prior knowledge of cloud computing or AWS products and services required!

Throughout the course, students will build highly available, scalable, and cost effective application step-by-step. Upon course completion, you will be able to make an informed decision about when and how to apply core AWS services for compute, storage, and database to different use cases. You’ll also learn about cloud security with a review of AWS' shared responsibility model and an introduction to AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM). And, you’ll know how AWS services can be used to monitor and optimize infrastructure in the cloud.

AWS Cloud Technical Essentials is a fundamental-level course and will build your competence, confidence, and credibility with practical cloud skills that help you innovate and advance your professional future. Enroll in AWS Cloud Technical Essentials and start learning the technical fundamentals of AWS today!

Note: This course was designed for learners with a technical background. If you are new to the cloud or come from a business background, we recommend completing AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials (https://www.coursera.org/learn/aws-cloud-practitioner-essentials) before enrolling in this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: AWS Overview and Security

Welcome to AWS Cloud Technical Essentials Week 1! In this week, you will learn the definition of cloud computing and how to describe the cloud value proposition. You will learn how to differentiate between workloads that run on-premises versus in the cloud, and how to create an AWS account. You will also get an overview of Amazon Web Services, including how to differentiate between AWS Regions and Availability Zones, and the different ways that you can interact with AWS. Finally, you will learn best practices for using AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM).

Week 2: Compute & Networking

Welcome to Week 2, where you will learn how AWS compute services differ from other AWS services. The content for this week covers the basic components of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) architecture, and how to differentiate between a container and a virtual machine. You will also learn about the features and advantages of using serverless technologies, basic networking concepts, and the features of Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC).

Week 3: Storage & Databases on AWS

Welcome to Week 3! This week, you will learn important concepts for AWS storage services—such as buckets and objects for Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), and how Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS) is used on AWS. You will also explore databases on AWS, and the use cases for each AWS storage service.

Week 4: Monitoring & Optimization

Welcome to Week 4, where you will learn about the benefits of monitoring on AWS, and how to optimize solutions on AWS. You will also learn about the function of Elastic Load Balancing (ELB), and how to differentiate between vertical scaling and horizontal scaling.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the fundamentals of AWS, which is a core foundation for those working in the cloud computing industry

Provides hands-on practice in building highly available, scalable, and cost-effective applications, which are valuable skills for cloud developers

Examines cloud security best practices, which is essential knowledge for those working with sensitive data and applications on the cloud

No prior knowledge of cloud computing or AWS is required, making it accessible to beginners

Provides an introduction to AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), which is crucial for managing user permissions and securing access to AWS resources

Taught by Morgan Willis and Seph Robinson, who have extensive experience and recognition in the field of cloud computing

Reviews summary

Aws cloud essentials

learners say this course provides a solid foundation in AWS fundamentals. With a balance of theory and practice, it's suitable for beginners or those with minimal experience. The course covers essential concepts such as compute, networking, storage, and databases in a well-structured and engaging manner. The hands-on exercises provide practical experience with real-world scenarios. However, some learners note that the labs need updating and the course assumes some prior knowledge in certain areas.

Learners emphasize that this course provides a strong foundation in AWS fundamentals and prepares them for further learning or certification.

"This is by far, the best AWS course I've ever taken."

"However, the course itself is buggy and has multiple inaccuracies...Some sections seem to be mixed up (appearing earlier than they should). In the end, unfortunately, I am not sure for whom this course is intended."

"I liked the quizzes for the following. If the answer is incorrect, there was an immediate explanation of which variant is correct and why."

Learners widely appreciate the course's content, structure, and hands-on approach, describing it as 'engaging,' 'well-paced,' and 'informative.'

"I thought this course was a good start to learning about AWS. I would recommend this course to newbies as a good starting point."

"It was a very good course. It had all basics of AWS and I guess this will help me in my future interviews."

A few learners express that the course assumes some prior knowledge in certain areas. For complete beginners, this may pose challenges.

"Although the course is presented well and fine but I was looking for some lengthy content and labs, projects, assignments to practice as much as I can that will help me to start the DevOps career."

"This course delivered more than what is expected and in the best way possible. The explanations that Alana and Morgan gave were truly awesome. I would highly recommend this course for anyone who is new to AWS. Although prior knowledge of Linux environment is helpful and not mandatory for this course, it could be much more beneficial."

"Their video lessons and hands-on labs are becoming outdated because AWS is updating their management console to a "New Experience""

Multiple learners note that some of the labs and materials are outdated and could lead to confusion.

"The important points can be delivered in a more specific and directed way instead of giving a whole bunch of explanations."

"AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course content is very great with covering overall AWS structure (from creating instances, using any particular AWS service, app deployment, S3 bucket usage, Roles & Policies, different Database & their purposes & much more..Overall theory & Lab/practice is covered nicely. Thank you."

"However, take into consideration that if you have any doubts or questions there is no one to answer but other few students that may know the answer."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in AWS Cloud Technical Essentials with these activities:

Organize your course notes and materials

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Stay organized and enhance your learning by compiling and reviewing your course notes and materials.

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for your course materials.
Organize your notes, assignments, and other resources logically.

Review Linux commands

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Sharpen your Linux command line skills to navigate and manage cloud resources effectively.

Browse courses on Linux Commands

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Create a cheat sheet of essential Linux commands.
Practice using these commands in a virtual environment or on your personal computer.

Review networking concepts

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Refresh your understanding of basic networking concepts to strengthen your foundation for the course.

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Review the OSI model and its layers.
Familiarize yourself with different network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP).
Understand network topologies and routing algorithms.
Practice configuring and troubleshooting basic networking devices (e.g., routers, switches).

11 other activities

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Follow AWS tutorials on specific services

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AWS provides many tutorials and resources that you can use to learn about specific services.

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Find a tutorial for the service you want to learn about
Follow the steps in the tutorial

Attend an AWS CloudFormation Workshop

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Expand your AWS knowledge by attending a workshop focused on CloudFormation.

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Find an AWS CloudFormation workshop or event.
Register and attend the workshop.
Follow along with the hands-on exercises.
Ask questions and engage with the workshop instructor.

Practice AWS CLI commands

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Learning the AWS CLI will help you become more comfortable with using AWS and will supplement the labs built into the course.

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Install the AWS CLI
Configure the AWS CLI with your credentials
Practice using the AWS CLI to create and manage resources

Explore AWS documentation

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Familiarize yourself with official AWS documentation to gain in-depth knowledge of services and concepts.

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Identify key AWS services relevant to your goals.
Navigate the AWS documentation website and explore specific service overviews, tutorials, and reference materials.

Explore AWS Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) Tutorials

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Delve deeper into AWS compute services by following guided tutorials on EC2.

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Create and manage EC2 instances.
Configure security groups and network settings.
Monitor and optimize EC2 performance.
Explore advanced EC2 features (e.g., Spot Instances, Auto Scaling).

Design an AWS Architecture Diagram

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Solidify your understanding of AWS services by creating a visual representation of an AWS architecture.

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Identify the use case and business requirements for the AWS architecture.
Select appropriate AWS services to meet the requirements.
Design the architecture diagram, including components, connections, and data flow.
Document the architecture design and its rationale.

Explore AWS CloudFormation

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CloudFormation will help you automate the deployment of your AWS infrastructure, making it more efficient and reliable.

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Create a CloudFormation template
Deploy the template to create your AWS infrastructure
Monitor the deployment and make changes as needed

Practice AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) Role Creation

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Reinforce your understanding of AWS security by practicing IAM role creation.

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Create IAM users and assign permissions.
Configure IAM policies to control access to AWS resources.
Implement least privilege principles for IAM roles.
Monitor and audit IAM activities for security.

Develop a sample application using AWS services

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Building a sample application will help you apply the concepts you learn in the course and gain practical experience with AWS.

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Choose an application that you want to develop
Design the application architecture
Implement the application using AWS services
Test and deploy the application

Design a cloud architecture diagram

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Conceptualize and create a diagram that outlines the architecture of a cloud-based solution.

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Define the scope and requirements of your cloud architecture.
Identify the key components and services involved.
Sketch out a diagram using a whiteboard, drawing tool, or software.
Refine and iterate on your diagram based on feedback or new insights.

Develop an AWS Serverless Application

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Test your AWS skills by building a serverless application that leverages AWS services.

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Identify a use case for a serverless application.
Design the application architecture using AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB.
Develop and deploy the application using AWS tools (e.g., Serverless Framework).
Monitor and optimize the application's performance.
Share your application with stakeholders and gather feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete AWS Cloud Technical Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect designs, builds, and manages cloud computing systems. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides a solid foundation for this role by teaching you the core concepts of AWS, including compute, storage, networking, and security. You will also learn how to use AWS services to build and deploy scalable, reliable, and cost-effective applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of cloud computing systems. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to provision and manage AWS resources, monitor and troubleshoot AWS systems, and implement AWS security best practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to use AWS tools and services to automate the build, deployment, and management of cloud applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to use AWS services to store, process, and analyze data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer is responsible for protecting cloud computing systems from security threats. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to implement AWS security best practices and how to use AWS services to monitor and protect cloud systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Systems Engineer

A Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining computer systems. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to use AWS services to build and deploy scalable, reliable, and cost-effective systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining software applications. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to use AWS services to build and deploy scalable, reliable, and cost-effective applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining databases. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to use AWS services to store, manage, and protect data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Network Engineer

A Network Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining computer networks. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to use AWS services to build and deploy scalable, reliable, and cost-effective networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Cloud Security Analyst

A Cloud Security Analyst is responsible for identifying and mitigating security risks in cloud computing systems. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to implement AWS security best practices and how to use AWS services to monitor and protect cloud systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Analyst

Cloud Consultant

A Cloud Consultant helps organizations adopt and use cloud computing technologies. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to assess an organization's cloud needs, design and implement cloud solutions, and manage cloud costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Consultant

Cloud Operations Manager

A Cloud Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of cloud computing systems. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to provision and manage AWS resources, monitor and troubleshoot AWS systems, and implement AWS security best practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Operations Manager

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer builds and deploys machine learning models. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to use AWS services to train and deploy machine learning models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to solve business problems. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course provides you with the skills you need to succeed in this role, including how to use AWS services to store, process, and analyze data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst helps organizations improve their business processes. The AWS Cloud Technical Essentials course may be useful for this role, as it provides you with a foundation in cloud computing concepts and how AWS services can be used to improve business processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst