The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide: Associate (SAA-C01) Exam is your complete and fully updated resource to the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate certification. This invaluable Sybex study guide covers all relevant aspects of the AWS Solutions Architect job role, including mapping multi-tier architectures to AWS services, loose coupling and stateless systems, applying AWS security features, deploying and managing services, designing large scale distributed systems, and many more. Written by two AWS subject-matter experts, this self-study guide and reference provides all the tools and information necessary to master the exam, earn your certification, and gain insights into the job of an AWS Solutions Architect. Efficient and logical presentation of exam objectives allows for flexible study of topics, and powerful learning tools increase comprehension and retention of key exam elements. Practice questions, chapter reviews, and detailed examination of essential concepts fully prepare you for the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate certification.

The certification is highly valued in IT and cloud computing professionals. Now in a new edition—reflecting the latest changes, additions, and updates to the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate certification exam guide—this book is your complete, one-stop resource:

• Access the Sybex interactive learning environment and test bank, including chapter tests, practice exams, electronic flashcards, and a searchable glossary of key terms.
• Learn all the components of the AWS exam and know what to expect on exam day
• Review challenging exam topics and focus on the areas that need improvement
• Expand your AWS skillset and keep pace with current cloud computing technologies

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide: Associate (SAA-C01) Exam enables you to validate your skills, increase your competitive advantage, and take the next step on your career path. Comprehensive and up-to-date content and superior study tools make this guide a must-have resource for those seeking AWS Solutions Architect – Associate certification.

Ben Piper, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, is an IT consultant who has created more than 20 training courses, covering Amazon Web Services, Cisco routing and switching, Puppet configuration management, and Windows Server Administration.

David Clinton, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, is a Linux server admin who has worked with IT infrastructure in both academic and enterprise environments. He has created more than 15 video courses, teaching Amazon Web Services and other technologies.

Introduction xxv

Assessment Test xxxi

Part I The Core AWS Services 1

Chapter 1 Introduction to Cloud Computing and AWS 3

Chapter 2 Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud and Amazon Elastic Block Store 21

Chapter 3 Amazon Simple Storage Service and Amazon Glacier Storage 47

Chapter 4 Amazon Virtual Private Cloud 67

Chapter 5 Databases 95

Chapter 6 Authentication and Authorization—AWS Identity and Access Management 123

Chapter 7 CloudTrail, CloudWatch, and AWS Config 141

Chapter 8 The Domain Name System and Network Routing: Amazon Route 53 and Amazon CloudFront 169

Part II The Well-Architected Framework 189

Chapter 9 The Reliability Pillar 191

Chapter 10 The Performance Efficiency Pillar 217

Chapter 11 The Security Pillar 247

Chapter 12 The Cost Optimization Pillar 277

Chapter 13 The Operational Excellence Pillar 295

Appendix Answers to Review Questions 327

Index 353