AWS Basics: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started

What is AWS?

AWS stands for Amazon Web Services. It is a comprehensive and always-advancing cloud computing platform provided by Amazon. It offers a wide range of services to its users, including computing power, storage options, networking, databases, machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, security, and more, all available over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis. The primary components for which AWS charges are:

1. Compute

2. Storage

3. Data Transfer (download or upload from outside)

How is AWS different from traditional services?

Traditional services often involve installing and operating actual hardware infrastructure on-premises. AWS, on the other hand, offers virtualized resources via the Internet, allowing customers to provision and use resources immediately without the need for real hardware.

AWS offers:

• On-demand resources: Scale resources up or down per your needs, eliminating the need for over-provisioning.

• Pay-as-you-go model: Only pay for the resources you have used, reducing the upfront costs.

• Managed infrastructure: AWS manages the underlying infrastructure, allowing you to focus on your applications.

• Global reach: Access your resources from anywhere in the world with AWS's extensive global network with just the help of the internet.

What are the benefits of using AWS?

• Scalability: Adjust the resources easily according to demand.

  Cost-effectiveness: Pay only for the resources you utilize on a pay-as-you-go basis.

  Flexibility: Select from a diverse range of services to fulfil your different business requirements.

  Reliability: AWS ensures high availability and dependability through its global infrastructure.

  Security: AWS implements strong security measures and complies with certifications.

  Innovation: Continuously advancing platforms with fresh features and services.

What are the problems solved by AWS?

• Hardware expenditures are costly initially.

• On-premises infrastructure offers limited scalability and flexibility.

• Time-consuming infrastructure management duties.

• Lack of geographic reach and redundancy.

• Difficulty in installing strong security measures.

Various cloud computing models

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

It offers virtualized computing resources through the Internet. Rent virtual servers, storage, networking, and other fundamental infrastructure elements. An example of this is Amazon EC2. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) on AWS provides three significant advantages for businesses:

• Scalability: It allows for easy adjustment of resources to meet changing demands, ensuring flexibility and optimizing costs.

• Control and Customization: Users have precise control over their infrastructure, enabling them to customize virtual machines, networks, and storage according to their specific requirements.

• Cost-Efficiency: With this service, businesses only pay for the resources they actually use, eliminating the need for upfront hardware costs and reducing overall IT expenses.

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS, such as AWS Elastic Beanstalk, presents a platform that enables customers to create, execute, and oversee applications without the need to handle their infrastructure. The advantages of PaaS include:

• Automated deployment: PaaS simplifies the process of setting up the necessary infrastructure for running applications, thereby saving time and resources.

• Seamless scalability: PaaS allows applications to automatically adjust to varying demands, ensuring smooth operation even during peak usage periods.

• Wide array of development tools: PaaS offers a range of tools and frameworks that are compatible with different programming languages and environments, enhancing development efficiency and familiarity.

• Integrated services: PaaS includes essential services like databases, messaging, and caching, eliminating the need for separate management and enhancing overall efficiency.

• Enhanced collaboration: PaaS promotes teamwork by providing features that allow multiple developers to collaborate on projects simultaneously.

• Improved monitoring: PaaS offers insights into application performance, resource usage, and user behaviour, enabling optimization and troubleshooting for better overall performance.

3. Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS offers a convenient method of delivering software applications through the internet, with a subscription-based model. For instance, Amazon WorkMail is an example of such a service. The following are the features of SaaS:

• Quick and easy access: AWS Marketplace provides a wide collection of ready-to-use SaaS applications, eliminating the complex setup and installation processes.

• Reliable performance: With built-in scalability and high availability, these applications offer consistent performance and minimize downtime.

• Seamless integration: They integrate smoothly with the other AWS services, enabling businesses to build interconnected solutions tailored to their needs.

Deployment models of cloud

• Public Cloud: Services are provided through the public internet and utilized by numerous users simultaneously. Example: Amazon EC2.

  • Pros: Cost-effective, scalable, and easy to use.

  • Cons: Security concerns, lack of control over infrastructure.

• Private Cloud: Infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a single organization. Example: AWS Outposts.

  • Pros: Enhanced security and control over resources.

  • Cons: higher costs, limited scalability.

• Hybrid Cloud: A combination of public and private cloud resources. Example: AWS Direct Connect.

  • Pros: Flexibility, scalability, and data residency.

  • Cons: Complexity, and integration challenges.

• Multi-cloud: In a multi-cloud deployment, organizations use multiple cloud computing services from different providers.

  • Pros: Flexibility, avoiding vendor lock-in, redundancy, and leveraging specialized services from different providers.

  • Cons: Complexity in management, interoperability challenges, potential for increased costs.

• Community Cloud: In a community cloud implementation, multiple organizations with similar needs share the infrastructure resources.

  • Pros: Shared costs among community members; tailored services to meet specific industry needs, shared security measures.

  • Cons: Limited scalability, potential for conflicts among community members, dependency on community governance.

How does AWS charge?

• Pay-as-you-go: Customers' charges are based on the actual usage of the resources they use, such as compute instances, storage, data transfer, etc.

• Reserved Instances: Customers can commit to a certain level of usage for a period (1 or 3 years) in exchange for discounted pricing.

• Spot Instances: Customers bid for unused EC2 capacity, allowing them to take advantage of unused resources at reduced rates.

• On-Demand Instances: Customers can provision instances on-demand without any long-term commitments, paying for the resources by the hour or second.