Intro to AWS - Your First Steps in Cloud Computing
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Intro to AWS - Your First Steps in Cloud Computing
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What you'll learn
Understand cloud computing and AWS fundamentals, including key services and security best practices.
Gain hands-on experience with EC2, S3, IAM, and other core AWS services.
Learn to automate deployments with AWS DevOps tools like CDK and CloudFormation.
Explore serverless computing with AWS Lambda and API Gateway for scalable applications.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
12 assignments
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There are 11 modules in this course
Updated in May 2025.
This course now features Coursera Coach! 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. Take your first steps into the world of cloud computing with AWS! This beginner-friendly course will guide you through the fundamentals of cloud technology and Amazon Web Services (AWS). You'll learn key concepts like computing, storage, networking, and security while gaining hands-on experience with essential AWS services. By the end of the course, you'll have the confidence to create and manage cloud-based resources effectively. Your journey begins with an introduction to IT fundamentals, where you'll explore core computing concepts, networking principles, and operating system structures. Then, you'll dive into AWS, learning about its global infrastructure, key services, and Identity & Access Management (IAM). Through practical demonstrations, you'll create an AWS account and configure security settings, ensuring a strong foundation for cloud computing. Next, you'll explore AWS services like EC2 for virtual servers, S3 for storage, and RDS & DynamoDB for databases. You'll gain hands-on experience launching instances, setting up auto-scaling, and securing resources. You'll also discover containerization with ECS, serverless computing with Lambda, and automation with DevOps tools like AWS CDK and CloudFormation. This course is perfect for IT beginners, developers, and system administrators looking to start their AWS journey. No prior cloud experience is needed, but basic IT knowledge is helpful. By the end, you'll have the skills to confidently navigate AWS and take the next step in your cloud computing career.
In this module, we will introduce the structure and objectives of the course, helping you understand what to expect. You'll set up VSCode, explore the course layout, and learn how to navigate through the lessons effectively. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, this module ensures you're ready for your AWS learning journey.
What's included
6 videos1 reading
6 videosβ’Total 10 minutes
- Course Demoβ’2 minutes
- What is This Course Aboutβ’2 minutes
- Install VSCodeβ’1 minute
- Course Structureβ’2 minutes
- Who's This Course Forβ’1 minute
- You Can Skip Lecturesβ’1 minute
1 readingβ’Total 10 minutes
- Full Course Resourcesβ’10 minutes
In this module, we will dive deep into IT fundamentals, covering essential concepts like computer architecture, data storage, and operating systems. You'll also explore networking principles, including LANs and the Internet, and gain an understanding of how servers and clients interact. This foundational knowledge will prepare you for working with cloud technologies.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment
8 videosβ’Total 52 minutes
- Information Technology - IT - Fundamentalsβ’8 minutes
- What is a Computer - CPU & RAMβ’7 minutes
- Data Storage and File Systemsβ’4 minutes
- OS (Operating System) File System Structureβ’3 minutes
- LAN (Local Area Network) - Overviewβ’11 minutes
- What is the Internetβ’8 minutes
- Internet Communication - Deep Diveβ’5 minutes
- Understanding Servers and Clientsβ’7 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- IT (Information Technology) Fundamentals - Deep Dive - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will introduce the fundamentals of cloud computing and compare it with traditional IT setups. You'll explore AWS services, learn about its global infrastructure, and understand key components that enable businesses to scale efficiently. Finally, you'll set up your AWS free-tier account to start hands-on learning.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videosβ’Total 24 minutes
- Introduction to Cloud Computing and Traditional ITβ’1 minute
- AWS Overviewβ’11 minutes
- AWS Global Infrastructure - Regions and Availability Zones - Full Demoβ’3 minutes
- AWS Services and Key Componentsβ’3 minutes
- [Hands-on] Creating an AWS Account - Free Tierβ’6 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Introduction to Cloud Computing and AWS - Amazon Web Services - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will explore AWS Identity & Access Management (IAM), a crucial component for securing AWS resources. You'll learn how to manage user access, enable MFA, and configure IAM policies. Hands-on activities will help you create IAM users and set up spending limits to prevent unexpected charges.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videosβ’Total 25 minutes
- AWS Management Console - Quick Overviewβ’4 minutes
- Enabling MFA to Your Root Accountβ’4 minutes
- AWS IAM - Deep Diveβ’7 minutes
- [Hands-on] Creating an IAM Userβ’6 minutes
- [Hands-on] Setup Monthly and Zero-Spend Budgetsβ’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- AWS IAM - Identity & Access Management - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will dive into Amazon EC2, AWS's powerful compute service. You'll learn how to launch instances, connect via SSH, and set up security rules. Advanced topics include auto-scaling, stress testing, and configuring load balancers to ensure efficient and resilient cloud deployments.
What's included
17 videos1 assignment
17 videosβ’Total 134 minutes
- AWS EC2 - Introductionβ’10 minutes
- EC2 Instance Basic Architectureβ’7 minutes
- [Hands-on] Launching an EC2 Instanceβ’9 minutes
- [Hands-on] Launching an EC2 Instance with UserData - Setup a Simple Websiteβ’6 minutes
- Connecting to EC2 Instance - SSH via Command Line or Terminalβ’7 minutes
- Connecting to EC2 Instance via AWS Instant Connectβ’2 minutes
- Setup Security Group Rules - Inbound Rulesβ’11 minutes
- Amazon EBS Volume - Quick Checkβ’5 minutes
- AWS CLI - Command Line Interface - Overview and Installationβ’7 minutes
- Configuring AWS CLI Locallyβ’7 minutes
- AWS CLI Basic Commandsβ’5 minutes
- Auto Scaling Group in AWS - An Overviewβ’6 minutes
- [Hands-on] Creating an Auto Scaling Group and Testing Itβ’14 minutes
- [Hands-on] Auto Scaling Test - Terminating an Instanceβ’5 minutes
- [Hands-on] Creating a Scaling Policy and Stress Testingβ’15 minutes
- AWS Load Balancer (ELB) - An Introductionβ’4 minutes
- [Hands-on] Setup a Load Balancerβ’14 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Amazon EC2 - Elastic Cloud Computing - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will explore Amazon S3, a scalable storage service used for storing and retrieving data. You'll gain hands-on experience in creating and organizing buckets, uploading files using the AWS CLI, and even hosting a static website. Finally, you'll learn best practices for managing S3 resources efficiently.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videosβ’Total 29 minutes
- Amazon S3 - Introductionβ’2 minutes
- Creating a Bucket and Adding an Objectβ’6 minutes
- Organizing Your S3 Bucketβ’3 minutes
- Create, Upload, Delete Buckets Using AWS CLIβ’8 minutes
- [Hands-on] Hosting a Static Website in S3β’9 minutes
- Cleanup S3 Static Websiteβ’1 minute
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- AWS Storage - S3 - Simple Storage Service - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will explore AWS's database services, focusing on RDS for relational databases and DynamoDB for NoSQL solutions. You'll learn how to create, configure, and manage databases, gaining practical experience in storing and retrieving structured and unstructured data in AWS.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videosβ’Total 20 minutes
- Introduction to AWS Databases - RDS: Relational Database Servicesβ’7 minutes
- AWS DynamoDB - Deep Diveβ’4 minutes
- [Hands-on] Create a DynamoDB Table and Adding Dataβ’9 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- AWS Database Services - RDS & DynamoDB - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will introduce AWS Elastic Container Service (ECS) and explore how it simplifies containerized application deployment. You'll learn about Docker, AWS Fargate, and key ECS concepts like clusters and tasks. Hands-on exercises will guide you in launching an ECS service using AWS Fargate.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videosβ’Total 33 minutes
- Container Services on AWS - ECS - Overviewβ’9 minutes
- Docker, Virtualization and AWS Fargate - Primerβ’6 minutes
- AWS ECS Key Conceptsβ’4 minutes
- [Hands-on] Launching an AWS Fargate Cluster and Serviceβ’15 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Containers on AWS - ECS: Elastic Container Services - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will dive into AWS Lambda, a serverless compute service that runs code without provisioning servers. You'll create Lambda functions, trigger them via S3, and integrate them with DynamoDB. Additionally, you'll build a REST API using API Gateway to expose serverless functions over the web.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videosβ’Total 45 minutes
- AWS Lambda Functions - Overviewβ’4 minutes
- [Hands-on] Launch First Lambda Functionβ’6 minutes
- [Hands-on] S3 Trigger Lambda Function to Write to DynamoDB Tableβ’13 minutes
- AWS API Gateway - Overviewβ’9 minutes
- [Hands-on] Create a Quote REST API with Lambda Proxy Integrationβ’12 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Serverless Computing (Lambda Functions) and AWS API Gateway - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will explore automation in AWS using DevOps tools and practices. You'll work with CloudFormation and AWS CDK to define infrastructure as code, implement CI/CD pipelines using AWS CodePipeline, and deploy applications with Elastic Beanstalk. Hands-on labs will reinforce your skills in automating AWS workflows.
What's included
11 videos1 assignment
11 videosβ’Total 96 minutes
- IaC - Infrastructure as Code - Deep Diveβ’3 minutes
- [Hands-on] Create an S3 Bucket with CloudFormation Templateβ’8 minutes
- [Hands-on] Deploy a Simple Website with CloudFormation Templateβ’13 minutes
- Introduction to DevOps and CICD on AWS - Deep Diveβ’11 minutes
- [Hands-on] Create a CodeCommit Repo and Push a Fileβ’6 minutes
- [Hands-on] Setup an AWS Elastic Beanstalk Applicationβ’9 minutes
- [Hands-on] AWS CodePipeline & AWS Elastic Beanstalk Application Full Automationβ’13 minutes
- IaC - AWS CDK - Cloud Development Kit - Overviewβ’10 minutes
- Setup Development Environment for AWS CDKβ’3 minutes
- Provision an S3 Bucket with AWS CDKβ’8 minutes
- [Hands-on] Update CDK Stack with Lambda Function to List all S3 Bucketsβ’12 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- AWS Automation: DevOps, CICD IaC (Infrastructure as Code) - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will wrap up the course by guiding you on the next steps in your AWS journey. You'll explore AWS certification options, career paths, and additional learning resources to deepen your expertise. This module ensures you're well-prepared to continue advancing in cloud computing.
What's included
2 videos3 assignments
2 videosβ’Total 10 minutes
- AWS Certification Pathβ’7 minutes
- Next Stepsβ’3 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 90 minutes
- Your Next AWS Steps - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
- Full course Assessmentβ’60 minutes
- Full Course Practice Assessmentβ’15 minutes
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Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.
If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. Youβll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.
Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. Youβll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.
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