An introduction to AWS and its capabilities

Amazon's cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS), offers over 200 services globally. Counting major corporations such as Adobe, Twitter, Netflix, and Airbnb among its users, AWS provides scalable, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for computing, storage, networking, and databases. It’s free to join, and you pay only for what you use, making it a go-to choice for various infrastructure needs.

AWS is one of the most popular cloud providers, and employers are looking for AWS skills when hiring. Are you interested in gaining more marketable skills for your resume? Let's learn more about the AWS cloud together!

What is Amazon Web Services?#

AWS is a one-stop solution for diverse computing needs. Amazon's dynamic cloud platform offers the following services:

• IaaS (infrastructure-as-a-service)

• PaaS (platform-as-a-service)

• SaaS (packaged-software-as-a-service)

These services can create and deploy sophisticated and scalable applications.

Additionally, the cloud platform provides on-demand operations, including the following: 

• Computing power

• Database storage

• Content delivery

With AWS, there's no need for upfront capital infrastructure expenses. AWS operates its own fiber network, linking availability zones. Amazon handles all maintenance costs, resulting in significant savings for enterprises.

History of AWS#

Let's review the major milestones in the development of AWS:

• 2003: Chris Pinkham and Benjamin Black create the concept of Amazon’s internal infrastructure as a service, initiating AWS's development

• 2004: Simple Queue Service (SQS), the first AWS service, launches in Cape Town

• 2010: Amazon.com's retail services transition to AWS

• 2013: The AWS Certification Program is introduced

• 2016: Revenue doubles to $13 billion

• 2018: Machine Learning Speciality Certifications are introduced, emphasizing AI and ML automation

Given the consistent growth in AWS's efficiency, learning AWS skills is a sound aim for career advancement.

What does AWS do?#

AWS enables you to quickly and securely host applications, whether they're existing or new SaaS solutions. It also provides access through the AWS Management Console or well-documented APIs.

Here’s the AWS Services list to help you get an overview of what the AWS ecosystem provides to developers:

Compute#

Each computing service works for specific computing scenarios:

• EC2: EC2 provides scalable virtual machines tailored to application needs. It offers a range of resource options, like CPU and storage.

• Lambda: Lambda is a serverless option that executes code without requiring server management.

• Fargate: Fargate manages container execution, eliminating the need to oversee underlying infrastructure.

Data management#

Storage: For data backup, Amazon S3 and EBS provide robust storage options.

Database Services: AWS offers a range of storage solutions:

• DynamoDB for high-performance NoSQL needs

• Aurora for scalable relational databases

• Redshift for analytics

Overall, AWS is an excellent choice for data management.

Networking#

AWS provides robust networking options:

• VPC for network isolation

• Route 53 for DNS management

• CloudFront for low-latency content delivery

These services enhance network infrastructure and content distribution.

Migration to AWS#

AWS migration services include the following:

• Database Migration Service (DMS) for database transfers

• Server Migration Service (SMS) for quick server migration

• Snowball for large-scale data moves

These tools simplify the process of transferring data to and from AWS infrastructure. The services focus on efficiency, reducing migration time and complexity.

Monitoring#

Do you need insights into resource performance and security? CloudWatch, CloudTrail, and X-Ray provide proactive issue detection and reduced downtime. Optimize performance and costs with these services.

Security and Identity Compliance#

What can AWS Security and Identity Compliance services do for you? You can meet compliance standards like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Key Management Service (KMS) protect your resources and data. These tools ease access management, encryption, and defense against threats.

Messaging#

AWS offers scalable and reliable solutions for messaging services like the following: 

• Simple Queue Service (SQS)

• Simple Notification Service (SNS)

They are integral for applications ranging from real-time data streaming to event-driven architectures.

AWS Management Console#

The AWS Management Console provides a collection of web-based consoles for managing AWS services. This includes cost monitoring and a mobile app. Developers use various Software Development Kits (SDKs) and the Command Line Interface through AWS.

Advantages of AWS#

• Scalability: AWS allows you to scale your resources up or down. This makes it ideal for businesses with fluctuating demands or growth trajectories.

• Reliability: Amazon offers a 99.99% uptime and a global network of data centers.

• Security: AWS has robust security features and compliances, protecting your data and applications according to industry standards.

• Cost-Effectiveness: The pay-as-you-go pricing model eliminates the need for long-term commitments so that you can pay only for the resources you use.

• Innovation: AWS is always rolling out new services and features. This will give you access to the latest advancements in cloud computing technology.

Applications of AWS#

AWS supports a wide range of applications across various sectors. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Websites and Web Apps: Services like EC2, Elastic Beanstalk, and ECS host and run websites efficiently. Beyond hosting, AWS supports domains, DNSs, and CDNs. You can also create scalable SaaS, mobile, and e-commerce applications. AWS supports API-driven programming and serverless platforms.

• Mobile and Gaming: Amazon Mobile Hub, GameLift, and AWS Amplify develop and deploy mobile and gaming apps.

• Big Data and Analytics: Amazon EMR, Kinesis, Redshift, and Athena for processing can analyze large datasets.

• Machine Learning and AI applications: Amazon SageMaker, Rekognition, and Polly build and deploy these applications.

• IoT Applications: Amazon FreeRTOS, IoT Core, and IoT Greengrass can connect and manage IoT devices.

• Enterprise IT: Enterprises can speed up their processes with Amazon RDS, Aurora, and WorkSpaces.

• Storage and Backup: AWS offers scalable storage solutions for various business needs. This includes file indexing and archiving.

For instance, Airbnb leverages AWS for its online marketplace, which handles millions of users and transactions daily.

Why learn AWS?#

AWS is the market leader in cloud computing, holding over 30% of the global market shareChevalier, Stephanie. 2023. “U.S. Leading E-Retailers by Market Share 2019 | Statista.” Statista. Statista. July 10, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/274255/market-share-of-the-leading-retailers-in-us-e-commerce/.. From simple websites to complex enterprise systems, AWS's more than 200 services cover a vast range of applications. AWS offers cost-effective, pay-as-you-go pricing, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. Learning AWS not only opens doors to many job opportunities but also leads to higher salaries and better career advancement. Start learning AWS to keep pace with the cloud computing field and stay ahead of the competition. Ready to start working with this cutting-edge technology to build innovative applications? Sign up for these courses now and start learning!

Educative also offers CloudLabs to let you experiment and learn within your browser. Educative CloudLabs offers you 31 guided, hands-on projects. You can interact with actual cloud services within your Educative interface.

1. Fundamentals of AWS - Learn Interactively

2. Getting Started with AWS Step Functions

3. Learn the A to Z of Amazon Web Services (AWS)

4. Deploying Web Applications Using Elastic Beanstalk