Notes – Introduction to AWS
What is AWS?
AWS stands for Amazon Web Services.
It is a cloud computing platform provided by Amazon.
Instead of buying physical servers, AWS allows you to rent computing power, storage, and databases over the internet.
This is known as “cloud computing.”
Why Use AWS?
- No need to maintain physical hardware
- Pay only for what you use (like electricity)
- Access services anytime, from anywhere
- Highly secure and reliable infrastructure
- Scales automatically as per need
Real-World Analogy
Think of AWS like renting a fully furnished apartment.
- You don’t buy furniture or build walls
- You just pay rent and start living
Similarly, with AWS: - You don’t buy servers
- You use services, pay for usage, and scale as needed
Key Benefits
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| On-Demand | Use resources whenever needed |
| Scalable | Grows or shrinks with your needs |
| Cost-Effective | No upfront cost, pay-as-you-go |
| Reliable | 99.99% uptime with multiple data centers |
| Secure | Industry-level data protection and encryption |
Common AWS Services
| Service Category | Example Services | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Compute | EC2, Lambda | Run applications or processes |
| Storage | S3, EBS | Store files and data |
| Database | RDS, DynamoDB | Manage structured and NoSQL data |
| Networking | VPC, Route 53 | Secure and route internet traffic |
| DevOps & Monitoring | CloudWatch, CloudFormation | Automate & monitor infrastructure |
Who Uses AWS?
- Startups to build apps without upfront cost
- Enterprises to migrate from physical servers
- Developers and engineers to test and deploy projects
- Government and education institutions for storage and computing
Fun Fact
AWS started in 2006 and today powers companies like Netflix, NASA, and Airbnb.
