Getting started with Amazon Web Services (AWS)

What is Amazon Web Services (AWS)?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform that launched in 2006 with a handful of services, including Simple Queue Service (SQS), Simple Storage Service (S3), and Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). Since then, AWS has grown exponentially, launching more services and updates each year than most people can keep up with.

Most recently, AWS re:Invent—Amazon's annual conference—took place in Las Vegas. This event brings together AWS enthusiasts from around the world to educate and inform them about the latest features and services.

How does AWS work?

AWS offers a global-scale platform to build, test, and run workloads, whether for development or production. Its extensive infrastructure is organized into Regions, Availability Zones, and Edge Locations.

Regions: These are distinct geographic locations, such as US East (N. Virginia) or Asia Pacific (Singapore). Each Region operates independently to provide fault isolation, meet compliance requirements, and ensure fault tolerance.

Availability Zones: Each Region is made up of three or more Availability Zones, which are groupings of data centers with isolated power, networking, and cooling. These zones are connected by low-latency, high-speed links, allowing you to distribute applications for higher availability.

Edge Locations: Unlike Regions or Availability Zones, Edge Locations are part of the AWS global network and designed to bring services closer to the end users with services like CloudFront (AWS’s content delivery network) and Route 53 (a DNS service).  These services run at Edge Locations to provide fast and highly available responses.

While AWS also offers other infrastructure components like Local Zones, these are not covered in this blog.

What AWS services are most used?

AWS offers a vast array of services across different categories. Here are some of the most commonly used:

• Compute: EC2, Elastic Beanstalk, Lambda to provide the compute capability to run your applications

• Containers: Elastic Container Service (ECS), Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) for running microservices, which is where you break down components of an application and run them in their own separate environments

• Storage: Elastic File System (EFS), Simple Storage Service (S3) which provides file and blob storage for your applications and environments

• Networking: Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Direct Connect for secure private connectivity

• Identity & Access Management: IAM which is a key service used to protect your cloud environments 

• Databases: DynamoDB, Relational Database Service (RDS) for storing data in relational databases or where flexibility is needed for the data stored there is NoSQL with DynamoDB 

Generative AI with AWS

AWS is also making waves in the generative AI space with tools like Amazon Bedrock and Amazon Q, adding to the excitement within the tech community as it brings an easy way to generate content and to search for meaningful answers to questions you have when trying to problem solve.

While there are many more services available, this blog focuses on the foundational categories to help you get started. For more information on other AWS services that might fit a more niche need or specific concern, Amazon provides a directory of its web services.

Why Choose AWS for Your Cloud Needs?

AWS offers several advantages that contribute toward making it the top choice for many in cloud computing:

1. Cost-Effective Innovation: Cloud computing enables you to quickly spin up workloads, test theories, and scale without large upfront costs or long lead times. AWS simplifies this process, helping you innovate faster.

2. Proven Experience: As the largest and longest-running cloud provider, AWS offers an ever-expanding set of services and the largest partner ecosystem, making integration easier.

3. Global Reach: AWS leads in both geographic coverage and the breadth of its service offerings, including advanced security features. With a security model refined over a decade, AWS provides tools that meet stringent standards trusted by organizations such as NASA and the Department of Homeland Security.

4. Certified Technologists: AWS certifications help individuals build expertise, validate their knowledge, and stand out in the job market. With certifications ranging from foundational to professional levels, AWS equips technologists to take on specialized roles and solve real-world challenges.

While other cloud providers can meet similar requirements, it’s essential to evaluate your business needs before choosing one. However, AWS’s expansive capabilities and ecosystem make it a strong contender for most use cases.

Ready to Dive into AWS? Start with the Fundamentals

Even if you’re already using another cloud provider, learning AWS can expand your skill set and reduce vendor lock-in. The AWS Foundations learning path is an excellent place to start. Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Understanding AWS infrastructure

• Setting up your first AWS account

• Exploring compute, storage, and networking options

• Strengthening security and monitoring

• Diving into machine learning and AI basics

Whether you’re new to cloud computing or looking to deepen your expertise, AWS provides the tools and resources to thrive. AWS is more than just a cloud platform—it’s a gateway to innovation. By learning its fundamentals, you can unlock new possibilities for your projects, enhance your career prospects, and future-proof your cloud strategies.

Start your AWS journey today with the AWS Foundations path. See you there!