Cloud Computing Basics
My Beginner Journey with AWS
Are you curious about cloud computing but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. I recently started my journey by preparing for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam, and I’ve written this guide to help you get started too, even if you’re completely new.
In this post, I’ll break down the basics in plain English, walk you through the evolution of computing, and explain what makes Amazon Web Services (AWS) a big deal. If you’re considering a future in tech, this is a great place to begin.
What is Cloud Computing?
Imagine you want to store photos or run a website. You could:
- Buy a big computer
- Keep it running 24/7
- Pay for electricity and maintenance
Or…
You could just rent space and power from a company like AWS, and only pay for what you use.
Cloud computing is simply using remote servers over the internet instead of your own laptop or office server. It’s like using Google Drive instead of a USB flash drive.
Why Did We Move to the Cloud?
Let’s look at how computing has evolved:
1. Dedicated Servers
One computer for one person or company.
- ✅ Private and secure
- ❌ Expensive, hard to maintain
2. Virtual Machines (VMs)
One computer runs several virtual computers.
- ✅ Cheaper, better use of resources
- ❌ Still hard to scale
3. Containers
Small, lightweight environments for apps
- ✅ Fast, flexible
- ❌ Needs some tech knowledge
4. Serverless (Functions)
Just write your code, AWS runs it for you.
- ✅ Super cheap, no server setup
- ❌ Slight delay when starting up (cold start)
Types of Cloud Services (The Big 3)
Different people use the cloud differently. Here’s how:
| Type | Who Uses It | Example |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS (Software as a Service) | Regular users | Gmail, Netflix |
| PaaS (Platform as a Service) | Developers | Heroku |
| IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) | IT/Admins | AWS EC2, Azure |
What is AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most popular cloud service provider.
They offer over 200+ tools to help you:
- Store files
- Run websites
- Build apps
- Use AI
- And more!
They started with:
- SQS in 2004 (messaging)
- S3 in 2006 (storage)
- EC2 in 2006 (virtual machines)
4 Core AWS Cloud Services You Should Know
Every cloud beginner should understand these four key services (especially for AWS):
| Core Service | What It Does | AWS Example |
|---|---|---|
| Compute | Run apps or code | EC2, ECS, EKS, LAMBDA FUNCTIONS |
| Storage | Save files and data | S3(OBJECTS), EBS(BLOCK), EFS(FILE) |
| Networking | Control internet access | VPCs, Subnets Gateways, CDNs |
| Databases | Store structured data | RDS(SQL), DynamoDB(NoSQL) |
| Security | Secures your environment | IAM, Secrets and management |
| Monitoring | Event logs and configs | Cloudwatch, Cloudtrail, Config |
Types of Cloud Setup (Deployment Models)
Not every company uses the cloud the same way.
| Model | What It Means | Who Uses It |
|---|---|---|
| Public Cloud | Everything is on AWS | Startups, new apps |
| Private Cloud(On-Premise) | All systems are in-house | Banks, governments |
| Hybrid | A mix of both | Big companies |
| Multi/ Cross Cloud | Uses more than one cloud | Tech-savvy businesses |
My AWS Exam Plan (CLF-C02)
If you’re considering the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam like me, here’s a quick overview:
4 Domains:
- Cloud Concepts – 24%
- Security & Compliance – 20%
- Technology – 34%
- Billing & Pricing – 12%
65 Questions
- 50 are scored, 15 are unscored (used for research)
Time
- 90 minutes to answer
- ~1.5 minutes per question
More Than Just the Core Services
AWS also offers services in:
- Machine Learning
- Game Development
- Blockchain
- IoT (Internet of Things)
- AR/VR
- Cost Management
- Security & Identity
- Quantum Computing.
So whatever your interest, from AI to mobile apps, AWS has something for you.
Final Thoughts
Cloud computing can seem confusing at first, but it’s just a smarter, more flexible way to use computers. Whether you’re looking to start a tech career, build your own app, or understand where the industry is going, learning about the cloud is the perfect start.
And don’t worry, you don’t need to be a genius to understand it. Just take it one step at a time, like I’m doing.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning of my AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) learning journey. As I keep learning and exploring more cloud topics, I’ll be sharing what I learn right here on the blog, in simple, beginner-friendly language.
So if you found this post helpful, stay tuned for more cloud content coming soon.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share this with a friend or colleague who’s curious about the cloud. Got questions? Let me know in the comments.