AWS Platform Engineer
The AWS Platform Engineer Learning Path is designed to equip professionals with the expertise needed to architect, automate, and manage scalable AWS cloud environments. This course covers key topics such as AWS infrastructure fundamentals, networking, compute services, serverless architectures, storage, and database management. Participants will gain hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform and CloudFormation, implement CI/CD pipelines with AWS DevOps tools, and develop monitoring and observability strategies using CloudWatch and CloudTrail. The curriculum also emphasizes cost optimization, security best practices, and governance. Through hands-on projects and a capstone challenge, learners will design and deploy full-scale AWS solutions, preparing them for real-world cloud operations and AWS certification exams.
What You Will Learn
- AWS Platform Engineering Fundamentals: Understand the role of an AWS Platform Engineer, AWS global infrastructure, cloud computing concepts, and the shared responsibility model.
- AWS Infrastructure & Core Services: Master essential AWS services such as EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, and CloudWatch, along with networking fundamentals and security best practices.
- Compute, Serverless & Scalability: Learn to deploy and manage EC2 instances, container services (ECS/EKS), serverless applications (Lambda, API Gateway), and design highly available, scalable architectures.
- Storage, Databases & Data Management: Explore AWS storage solutions, relational and NoSQL database services, and data integration and migration techniques.
- Infrastructure as Code & Automation: Gain proficiency in deploying resources with AWS CloudFormation or Terraform, automating deployments, and writing custom scripts for operational efficiency.
- CI/CD and DevOps on AWS: Build and manage automated pipelines using AWS CodeCommit, CodeBuild, CodeDeploy, and CodePipeline while integrating testing and security scans.
- Monitoring, Logging & Observability: Utilize CloudWatch, CloudTrail, and AWS X-Ray to monitor resource performance, set up alerts, and develop operational dashboards.
- Cost Optimization & Governance: Learn cost management, resource tagging, and budgeting best practices using AWS Cost Explorer, Trusted Advisor, and governance tools.
- Advanced Architecture & Emerging Trends: Study scalable and resilient design patterns, hybrid/multi-cloud strategies, and keep up with emerging AWS services and innovations.
- Hands-On Projects & Certification Preparation: Apply your knowledge through real-world projects, team collaboration, comprehensive documentation, and preparation for AWS certification exams.
Business Benefits
- Optimized Cloud Operations: Streamline infrastructure management and automation to boost efficiency and reduce manual overhead.
- Enhanced Security & Compliance: Implement best practices in security, governance, and cost management to protect your cloud assets and meet regulatory standards.
- Scalable & Resilient Architecture: Design highly available systems that adapt to growing business needs and ensure continuous service performance.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduce operational costs through effective resource utilization, cost monitoring, and budget forecasting.
- Competitive Advantage: Leverage state-of-the-art AWS technologies and practices to accelerate innovation, improve reliability, and support business growth.
Skills Learned
- AWS Core Services & Architecture: Deepen your knowledge of AWS services, global infrastructure, and cloud computing models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
- Networking & Security: Develop expertise in configuring VPCs, security groups, IAM policies, and overall cloud security best practices.
- Infrastructure as Code & Automation: Master the use of AWS CloudFormation, Terraform, and custom scripting (Python, Bash) for automating deployments and managing infrastructure.
- CI/CD Pipeline Development: Build, deploy, and monitor applications through automated AWS pipelines, integrating testing and security into your workflows.
- Monitoring & Observability: Acquire skills in setting up monitoring, logging, and dashboards using CloudWatch, CloudTrail, and AWS X-Ray to maintain optimal performance.
- Cost Management & Governance: Learn techniques for resource tagging, budgeting, forecasting, and applying governance practices to control cloud expenses.
- Advanced Architectural Design: Understand scalable, resilient design patterns and hybrid/multi-cloud strategies to support robust cloud environments.
- Project Execution & Certification: Gain hands-on experience through practical projects and prepare for AWS certification exams to validate your skills.
Syllabus
1. Introduction to AWS Platform Engineering
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Overview of AWS Platform Engineering
Understand the role of an AWS Platform Engineer, including responsibilities such as infrastructure design, automation, and platform management.
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AWS Global Infrastructure
Learn about AWS regions, availability zones, and the global network that powers AWS services.
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Cloud Computing Concepts
Review fundamental cloud computing principles (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and the AWS shared responsibility model.
2. AWS Infrastructure Fundamentals
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AWS Core Services
Dive into essential services like EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, and CloudWatch.
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Networking Essentials
Explore VPC configuration, subnets, route tables, NAT gateways, and VPN connections.
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Security Foundations
Understand IAM, security groups, NACLs, and best practices for securing AWS environments.
3. Compute and Serverless Architectures
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EC2 and Container Services
Learn how to deploy and manage EC2 instances, Auto Scaling groups, and container services like ECS and EKS.
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Serverless Computing
Explore AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and Step Functions for building serverless applications.
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High Availability and Scalability
Understand load balancing with Elastic Load Balancers (ELB) and strategies for scaling applications.
4. Storage, Databases, and Data Management
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AWS Storage Services
Explore S3, EBS, and EFS, including lifecycle policies and data durability best practices.
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Database Services
Learn the differences between relational databases (RDS, Aurora) and NoSQL options (DynamoDB, DocumentDB).
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Data Integration and Migration
Understand AWS Data Pipeline, DMS (Database Migration Service), and best practices for data backup and recovery.
5. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and Automation
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Introduction to IaC
Learn the benefits of managing infrastructure as code using AWS CloudFormation and Terraform.
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Automation and Orchestration
Explore tools like AWS OpsWorks, Systems Manager, and CodeDeploy for automating deployments and operations.
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Scripting and Custom Automation
Develop skills in scripting (Python, Bash) to create custom automation workflows.
6. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
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CI/CD Fundamentals on AWS
Understand the principles of CI/CD and how to apply them using AWS CodeCommit, CodeBuild, CodeDeploy, and CodePipeline.
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Pipeline Design and Best Practices
Build, deploy, and monitor applications through automated pipelines.
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Integrating Testing and Security
Incorporate automated testing and security scans into your CI/CD workflows.
7. Monitoring, Logging, and Observability
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Monitoring Strategies
Utilize CloudWatch, CloudTrail, and AWS X-Ray to monitor performance, usage, and health of your AWS resources.
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Logging and Alerting
Set up centralized logging and alerts to proactively manage and troubleshoot issues.
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Operational Metrics and Dashboards
Develop dashboards and reporting mechanisms to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and system health.
8. Cost Optimization and Governance
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Cost Management
Learn techniques for monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing AWS costs using AWS Cost Explorer and Trusted Advisor.
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Resource Governance and Tagging
Implement tagging strategies and resource governance practices to maintain compliance and control costs.
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Best Practices for Budgeting and Forecasting
Develop skills to forecast costs and manage budgets effectively.
9. Advanced Architecture and Design Patterns
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Scalable and Resilient Architectures
Study advanced design patterns for building highly available and fault-tolerant systems on AWS.
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Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Strategies
Explore how to integrate on-premises environments and multi-cloud solutions with AWS.
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Emerging AWS Services and Trends
Stay updated with new AWS services and innovations that impact platform engineering.
10. Hands-On Projects and Real-World Scenarios
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Engage in practical projects that integrate the key concepts covered throughout the learning path. For example, set up a multi-tier application on AWS where you deploy EC2 instances, configure VPCs, and manage storage with S3 and EBS. This project should include implementing automated scaling, load balancing, and basic security practices.
11. Certification Preparation