Question 1

What is Amazon Web Services  (AWS)?

Accepted Answer

Amazon Web Services is a leading cloud platform that offers users over 200 comprehensive services from secure global data centers. Its creators engineered this cloud platform for high flexibility and security in the cloud computing environment. The core infrastructure meets the rigorous security requirements for global banks, the military, and other organizations needing maximum protection. The cloud security tools integrate 230 security compliance features to ensure data protection. Data encryption is available within all the AWS services. AWS offers a vast array of databases that are purpose-built, so users maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness with the right tool to get the job done. Users benefit from innovative features like storage, databases, computing, machine learning, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and advanced connectivity with the Internet of Things.

Question 2

Who uses AWS?

Accepted Answer

Amazon Web Services has millions of active global customers from a wide variety of industries who are using this cloud platform to build, implement, and host applications. Some of those industries include banking, non-profit, media, manufacturing, and government. These customers range from individual entrepreneurs and startups to businesses of every size and all types of public sector organizations. However, the majority of their base customers are smaller to mid-size businesses. AWS offers the AWS Partner Network (APN) to technology systems integrators to utilize this cloud platform to create optimized cloud technology solutions for their customers. Independent software vendors (ISVs) have modified their technology solutions for compatibility on AWS. Amazon created AWS in 2006 and have continued to develop and expand their innovative cloud platform to meet the ever-expanding needs of their growing list of customers.

Question 3

Does AWS require programming skills?

Accepted Answer

Coding skills are not required to work with Amazon Web Services. Users can easily perform most basic tasks without having any coding background. Most new users utilize the AWS UI to create their infrastructure rather than using coding tools. The UI approach is the most streamlined way to use AWS. However, for more professional uses, it is important to learn manual code configuration. If you want to excel in AWS, knowledge of Linux Scripting and Programming languages will improve the learning process. If you want to be an AWS developer, you need programming knowledge in varying languages. You must have experience in cloud computing, networking, and AWS Lambda, their serverless computing space. Cultivating specific technical skills will help you succeed as an AWS developer. You need to know about application lifecycle management, AWS services, AWS best practices, and understanding the process for creating, implementing, and debugging cloud-based applications.

Question 4

What are the certifications I can get with AWS?

Accepted Answer

You can gain six months of foundational AWS Cloud and industry knowledge when you get a certification as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. Three associate certifications can give you one year of experience in resolving issues and integrating solutions using the AWS Cloud. These are AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Developer, and AWS Certified SysOps Administrator. There are two professional certifications that provide two years of experience in creating, running, and troubleshooting solutions with the AWS Cloud. Those certifications are AWS Certified Solutions Architect and AWS Certified DevOps Engineer. Six specialty certifications are available to help you gain technical AWS Cloud experience in specialty domains. Those are AWS Certified Advanced Networking, AWS Certified Data Analytics, AWS Certified Security, AWS Certified Machine Learning, AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder, and AWS Certified Database.

Question 5

What are the AWS core services?

Accepted Answer

AWS core services are AWS Compute, AWS Storage, AWS Database, AWS Networking, AWS Management, AWS Security, and AWS Application Integration. The EC2 service enables streamlined scalability for virtual machines. Simple Storage Services (S3) are object-based for cloud storage. On-demand scalability and blazing performance are available with the DynamoDB NoSQL database option. In-memory caches are created with ElastiCache. The Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is provided for routing tables, gateways, subsets, and security mechanisms. Key services can be monitored through CloudWatch, and cloud databases can be hosted with the Relational Database Service (RDS). API calls to AWS are tracked by CloudTrail. Users, groups, and roles can be created with Identity and Access Management (IAM) service. Email or SMS notifications can be received through Simple Notification Service (SNS). AWS Application Integration enables queuing messages and decoupling components through the Simple Queue Service (SQS).

Question 6

AWS vs. Microsoft Azure vs. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)?

Accepted Answer

Amazon Web Services holds the lead position of these platforms, with Microsoft Azure ranked second and Google Cloud Platform ranked third. AWS offers a vast array of tools and continues to grow exponentially through innovation. However, they offer a complex price structure and are focused more on a public cloud platform than private cloud or hybrid cloud options. Microsoft Azure has more substantial Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) capabilities compared to AWS and Google Cloud. Google has been an innovator in artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and data analytics for some time. This continual innovation has enabled them to effectively integrate AI into their cloud platform. They have also provided customers with more discount incentives than the other two platforms. They are in third place right now because they were the last of these three to create a cloud platform and have been more focused on technology than business operations.

Question 7

What are AWS Certifications?

Accepted Answer

AWS stands for Amazon Web Services, which is a cloud platform owned by Amazon and hosted across its global data centers. AWS Certification is a credential that Amazon awards to you after passing an exam that validates your AWS Cloud knowledge, technical skills, and expertise. AWS provides the credential in a digital badge and title format so that you may use it on your business cards and other professional collateral to designate yourself as AWS Certified. AWS Certification is open to candidates over age 18 and those between the ages of 13-17 with their parent or legal guardian's consent. Candidates must be at least 13 years of age at the time of scheduling an exam. You can schedule an exam using either an online proctoring testing environment or at a testing center facility. Exams are offered by Pearson VUE and PSI, both of which are test delivery providers that deliver AWS certification exams globally.

Question 8

Are AWS Certifications difficult?

Accepted Answer

Due to the complexity of the exam content and recommended experience to successfully pass exams and obtain certifications, people might consider AWS Certifications difficult. AWS recommends that candidates have a minimum of six months of experience with AWS to take the Foundational (first-level certification) exam. While exam difficulty depends on your experience and type of certification course, you can plan on spending 80-120 hours practicing and studying for your AWS exam. Some of the exams include scenario-based questions that can be challenging for certification candidates. Specialty exams include detailed technical information and are often considered the most difficult types of AWS Certification. To help prepare for exams, you can use AWS exam preparation resources (which includes AWS whitepapers) and watch Amazon’s complimentary AWS Certification exam preparation webinars. You can also leverage Udemy courses and practice exams and opt for AWS training services.

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