6 Important things you should know about AWS Console
Are you planning to start learning cloud computing? Do you have AWS in your mind? Are you looking for the AWS tutorial for beginners? What should be the first step of your AWS journey?
Answer is, setting up AWS Console and make your hands dirty with the free tier that AWS provides. Hang tight with me till the end, let me take you through all the required steps you need to know as a beginner.
Let’s take the first stab at it, I have simplified the first few steps for you, and here is the video tutorial -
How to access AWS ?
AWS console is available on all different platforms, including web & mobile. Below are the quick links to follow:
As with any other multi-platform application, the web version provides you the best view and controls but most of the important features are also available on mobile-based platforms too. The same things are followed by AWS as well.
Sections in AWS Console
Here is the home screen when we log into AWS console:
Most important sections in AWS Console :
- AWS Services
- Build A Solution
- Learn to Build
- Account Settings
- Billing & Configuration
- AWS Regions
AWS Services: It is the most important section of the AWS console. It has all the required services and offerings listed in this section from AWS. One can find hundreds of services from the listing, for various requirements. Some top category services are listed below.
a) Compute services that require compute resources like EC2, Lambda & Elastic Beanstalk etc. These services are used for executing the series of instructions by an application or program.
b) Storage services that require storage capabilities. Some of the key services in this categories are S3, EFS & AWS Backup.
c) Database services are an important part of any application to host the data for any software or application. Key services in this category are RDS, DynamoDb.
d) Machine Learning services are also critical if one wants to focus on the end goal of the application without having to worry about writing complex machine learning logic. Amazon SageMaker, Amazon Lex and Amazon Textract, Amazon Polly are the key services in this category.
2. Build A Solution: This section of AWS provides wizard-based approach or automated workflows for starting with any application or process. This is easy to follow for newbies for starting any POC or project. These are systematic and swift, some of the key workflows in this category are as below:
a) Launch a virtual machine is very quick and takes 2 to 3 minutes only. This wizard is based on EC2 compute service stack.
b) Build a web app is also acclaimed and effective, it takes 6 minutes only. This workflow is based on Elastic Beanstalk compute services.
c) Register a domain is as quick as 3 minutes and one can host a website complete with an AWS solution. This makes the website scalable to host millions of users.
similarly, there are other workflows available for various requirements or criteria. One can pick depending on use case
3. Learn to build: Are you looking for an AWS tutorial for Beginners? Need a hands-on guide for AWS services? AWS provides a step-by-step guide for all services. AWS also keeps them up to date with the latest services and offerings.
Below is a quick look at a number of services and tutorials available. This is helpful and first-hand delivery by the product owners.
4. Account Settings: Account setting is indistinguishable to other platforms that we use, except few things which are specific to AWS cloud. Account setting can update contact information and billing information. Also, this is the section where you can also check for quick links for cost and billing-related details.
It is helpful if you want to manage AWS support plans. Also for an exceptional purpose, if one would like to use AWS Government Cloud, they can sign up from this section as well.
In case of account termination, one should be able to update through the account settings page.
5. Billing & Configuration: This is the second most important part after deciding on the services because of the billing cost.
Best practices for AWS Budgets is the best place to learn and configure many policies and practices.
There are several techniques to control the cost and billing. Here are some tips for beginners:
Always update Billing Preferences for better communication. AWS starts sending the notification when free tier limits are about to exceed.
Always use tags while starting any services, these are quick things to estimate the usage later by different components of AWS services.
How to control AWS Cost? follow this link. This gives you the best access to all the available resources where you can best utilize the free tier of AWS stack without worrying the impacts on your pocket.
6. AWS Regions: High availability of your application is always a thoughtful design. AWS provides multiple regions across the globe to target as per your audience proximity.
Thank you for staying till the end, I hope you find this blog informative and useful while getting familiar with AWS.
What’s Next: In my upcoming blogs, I'm going to cover the details of how to design your application considering multiple regions and availability zones. Also about the services, that keep these regions synchronized for avoiding and data gap-related issues.
