AWS Certification Guide – 2018

Why AWS Certification?

So far Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the leading public Cloud Service Provider and for most of the part, the source of innovation in the cloud.

Even with the spiked growth rate of several tech giants such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Engine, and Rackspace, AWS has established itself as the gold standard in cloud platform today.

If one goes by the current tech trends, especially in the US and Canada, AWS certified professionals make significantly more than their non-certified peers.

However, it is not just about dollars and cents.

Why is it trending?

Demand: There’s a dire need in the market for skilled cloud engineers, developers, and architects. Considering that the current shortage of experts is expected to continue into the foreseeable future, this is a boom time for AWS

Uniqueness: AWS certifications stand out for their structure, credibility and utility for critical cloud engineering positions.

What is the best for you?

Among the five AWS Certification types currently available, there are three basic ground level Associate exams, and two advanced level certifications categorized as Professional certifications.

Whereas the associate level exams don’t require a prior certification, the Professional-level exams require you to have passed an Associate-level certification exam first.  While an Associate certification will mark you as a capable and experienced AWS professional, the Professional level exams mark you as an expert in the area and would give you an edge over others.

I am specifying the particulars of the five AWS Certifications available so that you can pick according to your need and convenience.

(1) AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam is designed for those with some experience in designing distributed applications. You are expected to have knowledge in the following domains- design of highly available and scalable systems, familiarity with AWS infrastructure and concepts, implementation and deployment in AWS, AWS related data security practices, disaster recovery techniques, and troubleshooting

Before you attempt the exam you should…

Know network technologies, especially how they work in AWS.

Know how AWS-based applications work, and how client interfaces, connect to the AWS platform.

Understand how to build secure and reliable applications on the AWS platform.

Be able to deploy hybrid systems – those that have some on-premise data center as well as AWS components.

(2) AWS Certified Developer – Associate

The AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam comprises developing and maintaining AWS-based applications. You really must know how to write actual code that uses AWS provided software to access AWS applications from within your custom business applications.

Before you attempt the exam you should…

a) Understand the basic AWS architecture and the core AWS services that make it different from the rest.

b) Have Hands-on experience designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining applications

c) Have practical knowledge of applications that utilize key AWS services such as AWS databases, workflow services, storage and change management services.

(3) AWS Certified Sysops Administrator – Associate

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam is the only certification fully geared towards system administrators. That’s why passing this exam requires you to have technical expertise and conceptual knowledge of the operational aspects of the AWS platform.

AWS based systems are usually mission critical to an organization, so it’s advisable to have prior hands-on experience in provisioning, managing and securing systems. Say, some experience as a system administrator could be a good groundwork before jumping in to take your SysOps certification test.

Thorough knowledge of Deployment and operations is your way to ace the exam.

Before you attempt the exam you should…

a) Know deploying applications to the AWS platform

b) Know how to send and receive data between data centers and AWS

c) Know how to select the appropriate AWS services to meet an organization’s needs

(4)  AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional. This exam focuses intensively on the two fundamental DevOps concepts of continuous delivery (CD) and automation of processes. It is all about provisioning, operating, and managing applications on the AWS platform.

Pre-requisites: You must have either the AWS Certified Developer or the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator certification in hand before you can attempt the DevOps Engineer certification exam.

A couple of years of experience in provisioning and managing AWS-based applications, as well as a reliable understanding of modern application development such as the agile development methodology.

Before you attempt the exam you should…

a) Know the basics of modern CD methodologies

b) Know implementing CD systems

c) Know Setting up monitoring and logging systems on AWS

d) Know how to implement highly available and scalable systems on the AWS platform

e) Know how to design and manage tools that enable the automation of production operations

(5) AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional. This certification is the most specialized of all certifications. A professional AWS architect is somebody who can evaluate an organization’s requirements and make architectural recommendations for implementing and deploying its applications on AWS. H/She should be aware of the best practices for architecting the designing of applications on the AWS platform

Pre-requisites: You must first take the Associate level exam before attempting this certification exam.

Before you attempt the exam you should…

a) Have a high degree of technical skill and experience designing AWS-based applications.

b) Know how to migrate complex application systems over to AWS.

c) Know how to implement cost control strategies.

How do you benefit?

Professional Certification helps one to use AWS effectively and in a way that creates an organized and automated environment opening up doors to more suitable job options for the certified professional. Certification proves that you know how to do the job, and AWS Certification provides this better than most.

Certification is a matter of demonstrating your skills and establishing your credibility. Achieving credentials could open options to work on AWS-optimized projects, or present to clients a credible subject-matter expert.

In addition to honing your technical skills, AWS Certification gives you noticeable benefits to help you showcase your achievement and further advance your expertise.

1) You Gain access to the AWS Certified LinkedIn Community.

2) Leverage digital badges to validate your AWS Certified status with your peers and employers.

3) You receive invites to regional Appreciation Receptions and get access to AWS Certification lounges at AWS re:Invent and AWS Summit events.

And these are just a few of the many perks.

Get started soon…

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