Notes on: Linux Academy: AWS Concepts

Just a place to put some notes on the “AWS Concepts” course from https://linuxacademy.com

1) A Conceptual Introduction to Amazon Web Services (AWS)
1.1) AWS & the Cloud
1.1.1) Understanding AWS

Amazon Web Services is a Cloud services provider (also known as ‘Infrastructure as a Service - IaaS).
Cloud Terminology #1: “High Availability” (your files are always available across multiple devices)
Cloud Terminology #2: “Fault Tolerant” (if there are faults in the system, you will still be able to access your files)
Cloud Terminology #3: “Scalability” (as user base grows, you have the ability to quickly and easily add more servers; you can scale up easily)
Cloud Terminology #4: “Elasticity” (you can grow, but you can also shrink)

Image: AWS Architecture

1.2) Introduction to Core AWS Services
1.2.1) Understanding VPCs

VPC = Virtual Private Cloud
“A Virtual Private Cloud is your private section of AWS, where you can place AWS resources, and allow/restrict access to them.”

1.2.2) Understanding EC2

Amazon EC2 (Computer Power)
EC2 = Elastic Computer Generation 2

Cloud Terminology #5: “Instance” (EC2 instance)

“Think of EC2 as a virtual computer that you can use for whatever you like.”

1.2.3) Understanding RDS

Amazon RDS is a database platform provided by AWS / RDS is AWS provisioned database service.
Amazon RDS = Amazon Relational Database Service

1.2.4) Understanding S3

Amazon S3 is the storage platform of AWS.
AWS S3 is a massive (unlimited) storage bucket.
Common use:
- Mass Storage
- Long-Term Storage

2) AWS Global Infrastructure
2.1) Understanding How AWS is Physically Set Up


Image: AWS Global Infrastructure

Each region has a set of availability zones.
Each one of these availability zones contains a data center.
Each one of these availability zones is geographically separated from the other.

Image: Availability Zones

3) AWS Concepts Quiz

Q: What are some of the common features or services offered by cloud services providers, such as AWS, iCloud and Dropbox?
A: Storage, Computing Power, Virtualization

T: Scalability is the ability to increase in size as demand increases.
T: Elasticity is a term commonly used to describe the ability to both grow AND shrink based on demand.

Q: What best describes AWS EC2?
A: A virtual computer used primarily for its processing power.

T: AWS regions are groupings of AWS data centers and availability zones that are spread out across the globe.

T: S3 is a storage service.

Q: What are the four primary benefits of using cloud services?
A: High availability, fault tolerant, scalability and elasticity.

Q: In very simple terms, what is the “cloud”?
A: A computer located somewhere else that you utilize in some fashion.

T: AWS is a cloud services provider.

Q: What are common uses of AWS RDS?
A: Storage and access customer account information. Keep a catalog of your company’s inventory.

T: A VPC can be described as your own “private section” of AWS.

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