Introduction
Transitioning into AWS and cloud computing was one of the most transformative phases of my career. With a background in .NET, Angular, and SQL deploying applications on IIS. I was well-versed in traditional web technologies. However, when I took on a project built with Flask, JavaScript, and Fabric.js (focused on AI and video editing), I knew it was time to explore cloud solutions. In this blog, I share how I :
- Began my AWS journey
- Deployed applications on AWS EC2
- Cleared the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) exam in just one month
- Developed my learning strategy and resources
- Set my sights on the next milestone: AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA)
If you’re new to AWS or planning to get certified, this post will guide you through my hands-on experiences and practical tips.
How I Started with AWS
My first encounter with AWS happened when I was leading a team on a Flask-based video editor project. Although our app was already running on an EC2 Ubuntu server, I was still learning the ropes of AWS. I signed up for a free-tier AWS account to try things out, and my team helped me set up the basics—like configuring Gunicorn and Nginx.
The very next day, I ran into my first challenge. I tried connecting to my EC2 instance using PuTTY, but it didn’t work. That’s when I learned that an EC2 instance’s public IP can change after a restart. My team introduced me to Elastic IPs, which provided a fixed IP address and solved the problem.
I also discovered an important billing lesson. After stopping my EC2 instance, I noticed I was still getting charged for an Elastic IP that wasn’t attached to any running instance. AWS charges about $0.005 per hour for idle Elastic IPs adding up to around $0.72 for 144 hours. In a bit of panic, I turned to ChatGPT for help and quickly released the unused Elastic IP, stopping the extra charges. This experience not only saved me money but also boosted my confidence and deepened my curiosity about AWS infrastructure.
Diving Deeper: Learning AWS and Preparing for the CCP Exam
Once I became comfortable with the basics, I set a goal to obtain the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) certification within one month. Here’s the structured approach I followed:
1. AWS Skill Builder & Official Study Guide
- Enrolled in AWS Skill Builder, the free training platform.
- Downloaded the CCP syllabus PDF and created concise, one-to-two line notes for each AWS service.
2. Hands-on Practice
- Deployed and managed EC2 instances.
- Explored services like S3, IAM, Lambda, CloudFront and more.
- Each practical exercise reinforced the concepts I was learning.
3. Leveraging ChatGPT for Instant Clarifications
- Whenever I hit a roadblock or had doubts, I turned to ChatGPT for quick and clear explanations.
- This streamlined my study process and helped clarify complex topics in real time.
4. Mock Tests & Exam Strategy
- Took multiple practice tests to familiarize myself with the exam format.
- Discovered that most questions were straightforward, focusing on basic cloud concepts and key AWS services.
The result? After one month of dedicated study and hands-on practice, I cleared the AWS CCP exam, validating my newfound cloud knowledge and boosting my confidence.
Next Goal: AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA)
With the fundamentals in place, my next objective is to earn the AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA) certification. Given my work with AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and innovative cloud projects, mastering AWS architecture is essential. My plan includes:
- Deep diving into VPCs, Auto Scaling, Load Balancing, and RDS.
- Learning best practices for security, cost optimization, and high availability.
- Continuing hands-on experiments with real-world AWS deployments.
Conclusion: Why You Should Learn AWS
Whether you’re a developer, software engineer, or involved in AI projects, cloud computing is an indispensable skill. My journey—from a simple EC2 deployment to becoming AWS certified demonstrates that with the right tools and strategies, you can achieve significant milestones in a short time. For beginners, I highly recommend:
- Starting with the AWS CCP to build a strong foundation.
- Using the AWS Free Tier to gain practical experience.
- Leveraging resources like AWS Skill Builder and ChatGPT to accelerate your learning.
If I could transition from a .NET developer to an AWS-certified cloud practitioner in one month, so can you!