Getting started with AWS - A layman's guide
Tags: aws, database
Published: 2019-11-22 15:15:51

Often when I meet friends, colleagues I get asked how I transitioned into AWS. I started as a Database Developer and currently work extensively with AWS. I am often asked advice on how can one get transition into AWS if they are working with some other technology. While there is no one size fits all answer, I will try to create a path for people with basic IT knowledge or experience to take the first steps. Please note this is no way meant to be a comprehensive guide but rather just a starting point which will give you enough confidence to start exploring the AWS world.

Prerequisite - A cloud computing 101 course will come in very handy and kind of will give you a head start, but is not required. Understanding of basic IT terminologies will come in handy and make it easier to understand a few jargons that are often used.

A crude way to look at AWS is as a computer provider who can give you new computers and accessories within a few clicks. These computers are "setup" at a remote location and you get to access them via internet.

Imagine you are launching a "technology" company. You will need at least the following things to start creating products and services -

Compute [ CPU and RAM]
Storage [ Hard disks, Google Drive like storage]
Database [ RDBMS, NoSQL, Graph etc]
Networking [ To connect the above resources with one another]
To create the above resources in AWS, all you need is an AWS account and you are ready to launch any of these resources. Below are the name of the resources that AWS identifies them with -

Compute - Elastic Cloud Compute [EC2], Storage - Elastic Block Storage [EBS] as HDDs, Simple Storage Service (S3) as object storage which will function something like google drive to store images. music, documents etc. Database - Relational Database Service (RDS), DynamoDB [NoSQL DB], Neptune [Graph DB] etc. Networking - VPC

EC2 - gives you the ability to create computers which when given access to EBS gives you a computer where you can install software and host a website or any web application.

S3 - gives you the ability to store multimedia files, documents in a reliable and cheap fashion.

RDS - Allows you to create database with engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Maria DB and MS SQL Server. They are sold as managed service which mean that the tasks like backup, recovery, upgrades and patching are taken care for you by AWS. You can also create databases that follow design structures of NoSQL, Graph etc as per your application need.

VPC - Allows you to create an isolated environment which is cutoff from all other resources in the cloud. You can govern the way the resources inside the VPC can or cannot communicate with the outside world [internet, other VPCs]

I highly recommend you start reading about these services. A very good stating point is reading "Overview of AWS Services" white paper followed by "storage options on the AWS cloud" and "architecting on the cloud". You can also refer many courses that are available via Udemy or Linux Academy. Personally, the Official Study guide for AWS Solutions Architect Associate helped me a lot to understand and create a solid foundation.

I hope this gives you a fair knowledge of how you can start with AWS. Once these fundamentals are strong, I have observed that learning other services is not that difficult. All the best!