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AWS Essentials - Hands-on Learning

4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 5,683 ratings
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Tek Smart Learning, Amit Arora, and Sowjanya Kolli

With technological advancements, cloud computing is becoming the standard and mainstream in IT world. Companies of all sizes are looking to transform existing traditional IT services to "Cloud". The market for Cloud Computing services is exploding and the demand for developers with Cloud Computing skills continues to grow. Currently AWS is the leading provider of cloud services.

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With technological advancements, cloud computing is becoming the standard and mainstream in IT world. Companies of all sizes are looking to transform existing traditional IT services to "Cloud". The market for Cloud Computing services is exploding and the demand for developers with Cloud Computing skills continues to grow. Currently AWS is the leading provider of cloud services.

This course will help you to understand essentials of AWS and provides details and demos / labs for each topic. We will also provide resources and scripts used in various demos so that you can try things on your own and gain more confidence. Our theory and labs sections of this course will make it very easy for you to follow through and quickly gain a very good understanding of the AWS platform. Our goal was to take the complexity away in understanding and learning AWS platform.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Students will get complete idea about various services in aws platform and how to use them.
  • Grasp the fundametals of aws including amazon simple storage service (s3), amazon elastic cloud compute (ec2), amazon virtual private cloud (vpc), aws databases (rds and others) and various application services.
  • This course provides good foundation for associate level certification and covers most of the exam topics in depth.

Syllabus

Introduction
Promo Video
As part of the Global Infrastructure, concepts of AWS regions, availability zones and how they map to data centers. Concept of users, roles and permissions as part of Identify and Access Management.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on labs and demos, allowing learners to gain practical experience with AWS services and build confidence in their cloud computing skills
Covers AWS regions, availability zones, and data centers, which are essential concepts for understanding the global infrastructure of cloud computing
Explores Identity and Access Management (IAM), which is crucial for managing users, roles, and permissions within the AWS environment
Explores services like SQS, SNS, Lambda, API Gateway and Kinesis, which are useful for building scalable and event-driven applications in the cloud
Teaches the creation of a VPC and deployment of resources, which are fundamental skills for managing network infrastructure in AWS
Provides a foundation for the Associate level certification, suggesting that learners may need to pursue further training for more advanced certifications

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Reviews summary

Aws essentials: hands-on foundational skills

According to learners, this course offers a strong foundation in AWS essentials, covering core services like IAM, S3, EC2, and VPC. The hands-on labs and demos are frequently praised as practical and highly useful for understanding concepts. It's considered an excellent starting point for beginners and provides good preparation for the AWS Associate certification. While generally well-received, some students note that it focuses on essential knowledge and isn't designed for advanced topics. A minor point is that some demos may be slightly outdated needing reference to current AWS console interfaces. Overall, an effective introductory course.
Focuses on essentials, not advanced.
"Great for basics, but doesn't dive deep into advanced configurations or niche services."
"For intermediate users, it might feel a bit slow or basic in some sections."
"Wish some topics had more detailed coverage, but it is an essentials course."
"It provides a broad overview rather than deep dives, which is fine for the name."
Clearly explains key AWS services.
"Explanations of IAM, S3, and EC2 were very clear and easy to follow."
"Got a good overview of VPCs, databases like RDS, and other essential services."
"The course covered the essential services needed to understand the AWS ecosystem."
"Detailed breakdowns of how core services work together were helpful."
Good foundation for exam topics.
"Helped me get a solid footing before tackling the AWS Associate exam."
"Covers many fundamental topics relevant to the certification syllabus."
"A useful first step and provides a good overview of key services needed for the exam."
"While not a complete certification course, it's a strong starting point for studying."
Excellent starting point for AWS.
"Perfect for someone completely new to AWS and cloud computing."
"This course provided a clear introduction to the essentials without being overwhelming."
"I had no prior AWS experience, and this course helped me grasp the basics effectively."
"If you're just starting your AWS journey, this is a very accessible course."
Practical exercises are a strength.
"The hands-on labs were incredibly useful for solidifying concepts and seeing how things work in the real AWS console."
"I really appreciated the practical demos for EC2 and S3; they made abstract ideas concrete."
"Doing the labs helped me gain confidence and understand the workflow much better than just watching lectures."
"The course is great because it includes so many practical demos you can follow along with."
Some visuals may need updates.
"Noticed some screenshots or steps in the AWS console UI were slightly different than the current interface."
"AWS changes rapidly, so some demos might be a little outdated visually, though the concepts are sound."
"Needed to cross-reference with the current AWS documentation sometimes when following the demos."
"The console interface in the videos is not always the latest version."

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 Essentials - Hands-on Learning with these activities:
Review Cloud Computing Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of cloud computing fundamentals to better grasp AWS-specific implementations.
Browse courses on Cloud Computing Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Review basic cloud computing definitions and concepts.
  • Research different cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
  • Identify the benefits and challenges of cloud adoption.
Read 'AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide'
Prepare for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam and reinforce your understanding of AWS fundamentals.
View AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read each chapter carefully, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter.
  • Review the exam tips and strategies provided in the book.
Read 'AWS for Admins for Dummies'
Gain a practical understanding of AWS administration tasks.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read each chapter, focusing on the practical examples.
  • Try out the steps described in the book on your own AWS account.
  • Take notes on the key concepts and commands.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice IAM Policy Creation
Reinforce your understanding of IAM policies through hands-on practice.
Show steps
  • Create IAM policies with varying levels of permissions.
  • Test the policies to ensure they function as expected.
  • Troubleshoot and refine policies based on test results.
Follow AWS Documentation Tutorials
Deepen your understanding of specific AWS services by following official tutorials.
Show steps
  • Choose a tutorial related to a service covered in the course.
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step, paying attention to details.
  • Experiment with different configurations and options.
Create a Cheat Sheet for AWS CLI Commands
Consolidate your knowledge of AWS CLI commands by creating a cheat sheet.
Show steps
  • Identify the most commonly used AWS CLI commands.
  • Organize the commands by service and function.
  • Include examples of how to use each command.
  • Share your cheat sheet with other students.
Deploy a Simple Web Application on AWS
Apply your knowledge of various AWS services by deploying a web application.
Show steps
  • Set up an EC2 instance and configure a web server.
  • Create an S3 bucket to store static assets.
  • Configure a load balancer to distribute traffic.
  • Set up a CI/CD pipeline to automate deployments.

Career center

Learners who complete AWS Essentials - Hands-on Learning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Engineers are responsible for building, deploying, and managing cloud-based systems. This course helps Cloud Engineers by providing a comprehensive overview of AWS services, including compute, storage, database, and networking. The course’s practical focus, with demos and labs, allows those looking to enter this role to gain hands-on experience with key AWS technologies. A person working as a Cloud Engineer would need to understand how to create and manage EC2 instances, configure VPCs, work with S3 storage, and manage databases using RDS, knowledge provided in this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
Cloud Solutions Architect
A Cloud Solutions Architect designs and implements cloud computing strategies for organizations. This role requires a deep understanding of cloud platforms, and this course directly provides that by focusing on the essentials of Amazon Web Services, the leading cloud provider. The course introduces various AWS services like EC2, S3, VPC, and RDS, all critical components for building cloud architectures. Furthermore, the hands on demos and lab work provide the practical experience needed to be successful in this field. By covering key aspects of AWS, this course helps build a solid foundation for aspiring Cloud Solutions Architects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Solutions Architect
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers focus on automating and streamlining software development and deployment processes and often work heavily with cloud technologies. This course may be useful for aspiring DevOps Engineers because it provides an understanding of AWS services like EC2, S3 and VPC. This course also covers services like Lambda and API Gateway that are invaluable to DevOps work. The practical labs and demos in this course provide hands on experience with building and deploying these cloud based services. A DevOps Engineer uses cloud platforms to help achieve automation, speed and efficiency in their work and this course would help build a foundation in that knowledge.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators manage and maintain computer systems, often including cloud infrastructure. This course may be useful for Systems Administrators because it introduces core AWS concepts and services. The course covers Identity and Access Management, a key component of security for Systems administrators. This course also covers the basics of compute, storage and networking. The hands on labs give practice in creating and managing AWS resources. A systems administrator moving into a cloud centered role would find the material useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
Cloud Consultant
Cloud Consultants advise organizations on adopting and using cloud computing services. A Cloud Consultant needs to have a broad understanding of cloud platforms, and this course helps build that understanding with its exploration of various AWS services. This course covers key AWS tools like S3, EC2, and VPC, which are often the core of a cloud based deployment. The material provides an introduction to AWS, and would benefit those looking to work in this field. The material is also appropriate for those who wish to gain a broader understanding of AWS, particularly if they are not already hands on with the technology.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Consultant
Solutions Architect
Solutions Architects design and implement IT solutions for business problems, and increasingly this involves using cloud services. A Solutions Architect might find this course useful for its introduction to the core services offered by AWS. The course includes an introduction to compute, storage, networking, and database services and explains the fundamental concepts for each. The practical labs and demos provide hands on experience with building solutions using AWS. A Solutions Architect would find the content of the course valuable for its broad introduction to the AWS ecosystem.
See salaries and explore the career path for Solutions Architect
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for the performance, integrity and security of data. This role is increasingly in the cloud. The course introduces AWS database services, as well as databases in general. It provides a look at different types of databases in AWS, including RDS. The course also offers hands on labs that show how to create and use a MySQL database. A Database Administrator may find this course helpful for its introduction to cloud database services.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Network Engineer
Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks, and this increasingly includes cloud-based networks. This course may be useful for Network Engineers through its coverage of Amazon Virtual Private Cloud which is a core offering for networking on AWS. The course includes demos and labs that show how to create and use VPCs. A Network Engineer would benefit from the hands-on experience with network configuration. The course is a strong introduction to these concepts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
IT Manager
IT Managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing IT related activities. This role would benefit from a broad understanding of the various cloud technologies, including those offered by AWS. This course explores many of the core services of AWS and provides an overview of how each works. The hands on labs and demos offer a practical look at these services, which would prove valuable for IT managers who need to understand the technology. This course may be a good fit for someone entering this career field.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager
Technical Project Manager
Technical Project Managers oversee technical projects, and they often need a solid understanding of the technologies involved. This course may be useful for Technical Project Managers due to its broad overview of AWS services. The course will give the project manager a basic understanding of core concepts in various services like EC2, S3 and VPC. The hands on labs would also be helpful for managers who need to better understand the technology. This course would give them a solid foundation in those concepts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Project Manager
Software Developer
A Software Developer writes code to create software applications. This role may find the course helpful by introducing them to various cloud services on AWS. A Software Developer may find that using cloud platforms is needed for their work, and this class covers many core components. The course covers topics from compute to storage to networking. This course would be a solid introduction to those who want to incorporate cloud technologies into their work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer
Data Engineer
Data Engineers build and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure, often using cloud platforms. This course may be useful for Data Engineers, as it introduces a range of AWS services that are frequently used in data engineering. The course includes information about S3 for data storage, and touches on databases and application services. Data engineers need to understand how to use these tools effectively. This course would provide a solid introduction to the AWS platform.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer
Technical Support Specialist
Technical Support Specialists provide technical assistance to users of computer systems and software. This role may find this course useful in understanding the basics of AWS. The course does a broad overview of the core tools in AWS, such as EC2, S3 and VPC. The labs in the course provides hands on practical information, which could be helpful for someone wanting to enter into this career field. A technical support specialist may need to understand some fundamentals of cloud in their role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist
Data Analyst
Data Analysts interpret data and use it to solve problems and create actionable insights. This course may be helpful to a Data Analyst by providing an understanding of the cloud platform AWS. Data Analysts need to access data, and AWS has an increasingly large role in the data storage ecosystem. The course includes basic concepts of AWS databases and storage. This course may be a good introduction to the cloud for someone in this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Business Analyst
Business Analysts identify business needs and propose solutions to address them. This course may be helpful to a business analyst by helping them understand cloud computing. The course covers AWS, which is a very popular cloud platform. An understanding of cloud concepts may be helpful for business analysts in many roles. This course would be a useful introduction to the world of cloud.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in AWS Essentials - Hands-on Learning.
Cover image
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide
Save
Comprehensive guide for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. It covers all the essential concepts and services in AWS, providing a solid foundation for understanding the platform. It is particularly useful for students preparing for the certification exam, as it includes practice questions and exam tips. This book adds breadth to the course by providing a structured approach to learning AWS fundamentals.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide
Paperback
Check
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Provides a simplified introduction to AWS for system administrators. It covers the core services and concepts in a clear and concise manner, making it easy for beginners to understand. It is particularly useful for students with limited experience in cloud computing. This book adds breadth to the course by providing a practical guide to managing AWS resources.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Rating
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Effort
5.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructors
Tek Smart Learning
Amit Arora
Sowjanya Kolli
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on labs and demos, allowing learners to gain practical experience with AWS services and build confidence in their cloud computing skills
Covers AWS regions, availability zones, and data centers, which are essential concepts for understanding the global infrastructure of cloud computing
Explores Identity and Access Management (IAM), which is crucial for managing users, roles, and permissions within the AWS environment
Explores services like SQS, SNS, Lambda, API Gateway and Kinesis, which are useful for building scalable and event-driven applications in the cloud
Teaches the creation of a VPC and deployment of resources, which are fundamental skills for managing network infrastructure in AWS
Provides a foundation for the Associate level certification, suggesting that learners may need to pursue further training for more advanced certifications
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