Foundations of AWS and Core Concepts
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Foundations of AWS and Core Concepts
This course is part of AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03) Specialization
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What you'll learn
Learn AWS architecture design principles and best practices.
Explore cloud-native design and its differences from traditional computing.
Gain hands-on experience with services like VPC, Route 53, and network security.
Skills you'll gain
- Cloud Computing Architecture
- Identity and Access Management
- Cloud Management
- Network Planning And Design
- Cloud Infrastructure
- Security Management
- Infrastructure Architecture
- Network Security
- Solution Architecture
- Network Infrastructure
- Cloud Security
- IT Security Architecture
- Application Design
- Cloud Solutions
- Cloud Services
- Network Architecture
- Network Routing
Details to know
May 2026
4 assignments
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There are 3 modules in this course
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A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. In this course, you'll dive into the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate certification, learning how to design secure, resilient, high-performing, and cost-optimized architectures. You'll master the art of selecting the right AWS components and services to architect robust solutions, gaining insight into AWS's numerous services and configurations. Throughout the journey, you will explore foundational concepts such as cloud-native design, security, identity, networking, and cost management, all while preparing for the exam with real-world exam tips and techniques. As you progress, you'll become familiar with the key AWS services including VPC, Route 53, and network security, all while learning about best practices for network resilience and scalability. You'll tackle complex concepts like external network connections and load balancing, ensuring you're fully equipped to create efficient cloud infrastructures. In addition, the course takes you through how to manage multiple AWS accounts and secure your AWS resources using the shared responsibility model. This course is ideal for IT professionals, cloud architects, and anyone aiming for the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate certification. No prior experience is necessary, but familiarity with basic networking and cloud computing concepts is beneficial. The course is structured for intermediate learners, providing both foundational knowledge and advanced topics. By the end of this course, you'll not only be prepared for the AWS Solutions Architect exam but also have the confidence to design scalable, highly available, and secure cloud infrastructures for real-world applications. This course will give you the skills needed to tackle AWSβs vast array of services and integrate them into powerful solutions.
In this module, we will introduce the fundamental concepts behind the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate certification. You will explore the critical components necessary for designing cloud solutions and learn how to assess different AWS services. The focus will be on aligning your design with AWS best practices, ensuring security, scalability, and cost optimization.
What's included
3 videos2 readings
3 videosβ’Total 48 minutes
- Overviewβ’6 minutes
- Course Introductionβ’20 minutes
- Cloud - Native Designβ’21 minutes
2 readingsβ’Total 20 minutes
- Introduction to the Course 'Foundations of AWS and Core Concepts'β’10 minutes
- Full Specialization Resourceβ’10 minutes
In this module, we will dive into the core security principles that govern AWS architecture. You will learn about managing access control, implementing security policies, and securing your AWS accounts. The section will emphasize effective identity management and the tools needed to enforce the principle of least privilege.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videosβ’Total 62 minutes
- Identity Conceptsβ’23 minutes
- Securing AWS Accountsβ’19 minutes
- Managing Multiple AWS Accountsβ’20 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Identity - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will explore the foundational networking concepts critical for designing cloud infrastructure in AWS. You will gain in-depth knowledge of network segmentation, IP addressing, routing, and load balancing. The module will also cover AWS-specific networking services and strategies to ensure resilient and scalable network solutions.
What's included
11 videos1 reading3 assignments
11 videosβ’Total 199 minutes
- Networking Conceptsβ’12 minutes
- Network Segmentation and Addressingβ’17 minutes
- VPC Deep Diveβ’22 minutes
- External Network Connectionsβ’21 minutes
- Gateways Deep Diveβ’14 minutes
- Route 53 Deep Diveβ’16 minutes
- Network Securityβ’22 minutes
- Network Resiliency and Scalabilityβ’21 minutes
- Load Balancingβ’15 minutes
- Edge Networkingβ’16 minutes
- Network Cost Managementβ’22 minutes
1 readingβ’Total 10 minutes
- Conclusion to the Course 'Foundations of AWS and Core Concepts'β’10 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 90 minutes
- Networking - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
- Full Course Assessmentβ’60 minutes
- Full Course Practice Assessmentβ’15 minutes
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Frequently asked questions
The Foundations of AWS and Core Concepts specialization is designed to help learners understand the fundamental concepts and services of Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is especially relevant for those looking to pursue the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate certification, as it covers key topics like cloud-native design, identity management, and networking fundamentals. These concepts form the basis of building secure, resilient, high-performing, and cost-effective architectures in the cloud.
This specialization covers foundational AWS concepts that are crucial for those pursuing the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate certification. It includes topics such as cloud-native design, network security, managing AWS accounts, and essential networking practices within AWS. The specialization provides practical insights into how to design AWS deployments, configure networking resources, and implement security measures using the AWS platform, all while ensuring cost efficiency.
After completing this specialization, you will have a strong understanding of AWS core services and architectures. You'll be able to design secure, resilient, and cost-effective systems on AWS. You will be equipped with the knowledge to configure AWS network services, apply security best practices, and use AWS tools to meet business continuity and disaster recovery requirements. This foundational knowledge will also serve as a solid preparation for the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate exam.
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