AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
The ultimate guide for the SAA-C02 exam
Jonathan Anderson
Copyright 2020 by Jonathan Anderson
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Summary
Introduction
For individuals applying for the position of solution architect, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam is necessary. This Exam validates a candidate's 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.
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.
Studying for a certification exam can seem daunting. This study guide is designed and developed with relevant topics, questions and exercises to enable a cloud practitioner to focus their valuable study time and effort on the relevant set of topics aimed at the appropriate level of abstraction. Thus, they can confidently pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam.
This book contains questions each to help you gauge your readiness to take the Exam.
Passing the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam requires understanding the components and operation of the core AWS services as well as how those services interact with each other. Read through the official documentation for the various AWS services. Amazon offers HTML, PDF, and Kindle documentation for many of them.
Each chapter contains specific information about the service or topic covered, followed by a section on Exam Basics that provides the key information you will need to prepare for your exam. Then, each chapter contains sample questions to familiarize you with answering questions about AWS Cloud services and architecture topics.
If you are looking for a focused book written by solution architects who have written, assessed and developed the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam, this book is for you.
Taking the Exam
Once you are fully prepared to take the exam, you can visit the AWS certification site to schedule and pay for your exam:
https://www.aws.training/certification?src=arc-assoc
AWS partners with PSI Exams ( https://candidate.psiexams.com ), so when you schedule your exam, you'll locate a testing center to take the exam as well as a time block.
The exams typically take two hours, so you'll need to plan accordingly. On the test day, make sure you arrive 10 minutes earlier in case of any hiccups or a long line of folks waiting to take the exam. You'll need two forms of identification too. Remember that your notes, electronic devices (including smartphones and watches) or other materials should not be taken with you.
The testing centre will provide you with scratch papers, and most centres will supply headphones or earplugs if you find it helpful to block out the minimal noises of the testing centre. On a computer, the exam itself is taken and its reasonably straightforward.
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)
Exam objectives
For those with experience in developing software and distribution systems on the AWS platform and plans to take the AWS Accredited Solutions Architect-Associate Exam, here are some of the major 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.
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