If you are applying for the position of solution architect, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam is necessary. This Exam validates your ability to: - Identify and collect requirements needed to define a solution which will be modeled according to the best architectural practices. - Advice developers and system administrators on architectural best practices throughout the project lifecycle.
There are several Associate certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate: For individuals working as solutions architects, designing AWS solutions using AWS services AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate: For individuals working as system administrators, managing and operating AWS services AWS Certified Developer - Associate: For individuals working as developers, deploying and debugging cloud-based applications hosted at AWS
Each certification exam expects that you know how the AWS service that you are being tested on works. Each Associate certification has a specific focus: Architect: The best design possible, based on the question and scenario SysOps: The administration steps required to carry out a particular task Developer: How to best use the service for the hosted application you are writing
For example, the three Associate exams would test different aspects of CloudWatch logs: Architect: The main focus of this exam is on how CloudWatch logs work and the main design features to consider based on specific needs—that is, design knowledge related to using CloudWatch logs for a variety of solutions. SysOps: The main focus of this exam is on how to configure CloudWatch logs based on specific needs—that is, configuration and deployment of CloudWatch logs using operational knowledge. Developer: The main focus of this exam is on what CloudWatch logs are useful for when developing applications for tracking performance of an application hosted on an EC2 instance—that is, knowledge of how a particular AWS service can help in the development and testing process with applications.
Before you attempt one of the Associate certifications, AWS recommends that you have at least 1 year of experience solving problems and implementing solutions using AWS services. AWS really wants to ensure that you have hands-on experience solving problems. Professional: These certifications include the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional and the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional. Professional certifications are not where you normally start your certification journey. AWS recommends that you have at least 2 years of hands-on experience before taking these tough Professional exams. Specialty: The Specialty certifications for Advanced Networking, Security, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, and Database require advanced knowledge of the subject matter. AWS recommends that you have an Associate certification before you attempt one of these certifications.
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C02) certification is globally recognized and does an excellent job of demonstrating that the holder has knowledge and skills across a broad range of AWS topics.
Your AWS knowledge level can be defined by the following skills or qualities:
AWS knowledge - Hands-on experience using AWS compute network, storage and database services - Work experience in designing large-scale distribution systems - To give insight into the concepts of elasticity and scalability - Insight into the global AWS infrastructure - Insight into network technologies related to AWS - An understanding of all AWS security features and tools and their relationship with traditional services - A solid knowledge of customer interfaces with the AWS platform - Hands-on experience with AWS implementation and management services.
Some of the major AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam topics you should be familiar with: - Design and deploy scalable, available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS Migrate existing on-premises applications to AWS. - Data input and output to and from AWS - Select the correct AWS service based on data, calculations, database or security requirements - Identifying the Proper Use of AWS Architectural Best Practices - Estimate the cost of AWS and identify cost control mechanisms
Domain 1: Design Resilient Architectures: 1.1 Design a multi-tier architecture solution 1.2 Design highly available and/or fault-tolerant architectures 1.3 Design decoupling mechanisms using AWS services 1.4 Choose appropriate resilient storage Domain 2: Design High-Performing Architectures: 2.1 Identify elastic and scalable compute solutions for a workload 2.2 Select high-performing and scalable storage solutions for a workload 2.3 Select high-performing networking solutions for a workload 2.4 Choose high-performing database solutions for a workload Domain 3: Design Secure Applications and Architectures: 3.1 Design secure access to AWS resources 3.2 Design secure application tiers 3.3 Select appropriate data security options Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures: 4.1 Identify cost-effective storage solutions 4.2 Identify cost-effective compute and database services 4.3 Design cost-optimized network architectures
In general, AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate applicants should have: - One or more years of practical experience in the development of highly open, cost-effective, stable, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS - Atleast a thorough knowledge of one high-level programming language. - Ability to identify and define requirements for an AWS-based application - Experience in implementing hybrid systems with on-premises and AWS components - The ability to provide best practices for building secured and reliable applications on the AWS platform The exam covers four different areas, with each area split into objectives and sub-objectives.
General Computer Knowledge - Excellent understanding of typical multi-level architectures: web servers, caching, application servers, load balancers and storage - Equipped with the knowledge of relational database management system (RDBMS) and NoSQL - Equipped with the knowledge of message queues and Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) - Equipped with the knowledge of loose links and stateless systems - Insight into the different consistency models of the distribution systems - Knowledge of Content Delivery Networks (CDN) - Hands-on experience with major LAN / WAN network technologies - Experience with routing tables, access control lists, firewalls, NAT, HTTP, DNS, IP and OSI network - Equipped with the knowledge of RESTful, XML, JSON web services - Equipped with the Knowledge of the software development life cycle - Experience in working with information and application security concepts, mechanisms and tools - Equipped with the knowledge of end-user computing and collaboration technologies
These training courses or other equivalent methodologies will help with further preparation for the exam: - Architecture on AWS (aws.amazon.com/training/architect) - In-depth knowledge of or training in at least one high-level programming language - AWS Cloud Computing White Papers (aws.amazon.com/whitepapers)
Presentation of Amazon Web Services Overview of security processes AWS Risk & Compliance White Paper Cloud storage options
Architecture for the AWS cloud: best practices - Experience in the implementation of on-premise and AWS component hybrid systems - Using the AWS Architecture Center website (aws.amazon.com/architecture)
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