COMP08184 2020 AWS Academy Cloud Architecting (ACA)

General Details

Full Title
AWS Academy Cloud Architecting (ACA)
Transcript Title
AWS Academy Cloud Architecting
Code
COMP08184
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
COMP - Computing
Department
COEL - Computing & Electronic Eng
Level
08 - NFQ Level 8
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2020 - Full Academic Year 2020-21
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Aine Mitchell
Programme Membership
SG_KNCLD_H08 202000 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing in Computer Networks and Cloud Infrastructure SG_KNCLD_K08 202000 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing in Computer Networks and Cloud Infrastructure (Add-on) SG_KCNCI_K08 202000 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing in Computer Networks and Cloud Infrastructure (Add-on) SG_KNCLD_E08 202000 Certificate in Computing in Computer Networks and Cloud Infrastructure SG_KSOFT_E08 202000 Certificate in Software Development SG_KSODV_K08 202000 Level 8 Honours Degree Add-on in Software Development SG_KCMPU_H08 202000 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing SG_KCNCS_H08 202100 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing in Computer Networks and Cyber Security SG_KCMPU_H08 202100 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing SG_KSODV_K08 202200 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing in Software Development (Add-on) SG_KCMPU_H08 202200 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing
Description

Academy Cloud Architecting covers the core requirements of building IT infrastructure on Amazon Web Services, or AWS. The course is designed to teach solutions architects how to optimise the use of the AWS Cloud by understanding AWS services and how these services fit into cloud-based solutions.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Evaluate the different networking concepts in cloud computing architectures

2.

Implement appropriate AWS services to ensure high availability on a web scale

3.

Describe the need for elasticity, appropriate use of management tools and automation on AWS

4.

Describe the need for a well-architected Framework in pertinent areas of cloud computing

5.

Apply best practice for deployment, implementation and troubleshooting of sample architectures

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Most teaching materials will be provided by AWS Academy,  accessed as a cloud resource. The module will be split between lectures and lab classes. Some theoretical concepts will be covered in the lab practicals, in order to emphasise key concepts.

Online delivery will be provided via multiple short duration (30 minutes) videos.

Module Assessment Strategies

 The learner will undertake two scenario-based exercises using AWS Services in weeks 6 and 12 worth 25% and 40% respectively. 35% of the total mark will consist of MCQs over the duration of the semester.
The guidelines for the practical assessments will be provided by AWS academy.
 

 

Repeat Assessments

The learner will be required to undertake a repeat project (practical,written and/or MCQ elements) which will cover all learning outcomes.

Indicative Syllabus

Evaluate the different networking concepts in cloud computing architectures

  • Data centre concepts (hardware, software, connectivity), IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
  • Networking devices (switches, routers), protocols (IPv4, HTTP) and services (DNS, DHCP)
  • IP addressing, subnetting, firewalls, load balancers and proxies
  • Servers, systems administration and storage concepts

Implement appropriate AWS services to ensure high availability on a web scale

  • Cloud economics and Total Cost of Ownership 
  • AWS compute, storage, and networking
  • AWS security
  • IAM
  • AWS database options

Describe the need for elasticity, appropriate use of management tools and automation on AWS

  • AWS elasticity and management tools
  • Creating Amazon EC2 instances with Microsoft Windows or Linux OS
  • Auto-scaling groups, load balancers, logs and audit trails
  • CloudFormation, CloudWatch, CloudTrail

Describe the need for a well-architected Framework in pertinent areas of cloud computing

  • Well-Architected Pillar 1: Operational excellence
  • Well Architected Pillar 2: Security
  • Well Architected Pillar 3: Reliability
  • Well Architected Pillar 4: Performance efficiency
  • Well Architected Pillar 5: Cost optimisation

Apply best practice for deployment, implementation and troubleshooting of sample architectures

  • Recommend items to check when an instance connection times out
  • Recommend considerations that may affect network performance
  • Recommend considerations that may affect CPU load on RDS instances
  • Recommend items to check in response to an “access denied” alert

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Deploy various services on the AWS cloud Coursework Assessment Assignment 25 % Week 6 1,2
2 Design an architecture using AWS Best Practices Coursework Assessment Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test 35 % OnGoing 2,3,4
3 Develop and deploy a well architecture AWS cloud solution, focusing on costs and AWS best practice Coursework Assessment Individual Project 40 % End of Semester 2,3,4,5

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Lecture Theatre Lecture 1 Weekly 1.00
Practical / Laboratory Computer Laboratory Lab Practicals 2 Weekly 2.00
Independent Learning Not Specified Independent Learning 4 Weekly 4.00
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 3.00 Hours

Online Learning Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Online Lecture Not Specified Online Lecture 4 Weekly 4.00
Independent Learning Not Specified Independent Learning 3 Weekly 3.00
Total Online Learning Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 4.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Recommended Reading
2016-10-07 AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide: Associate Exam Sybex
ISBN 1119138558 ISBN-13 9781119138556

Covers exam objectives, including designing highly available, cost efficient, fault tolerant, scalable systems, implementation and deployment, data security, troubleshooting, and much more.... Includes interactive online learning environment and study tools with: + 2 custom practice exams + More than 100 electronic flashcards + Searchable key term glossary Your complete guide to preparing for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Exam The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide is your one-stop resource for coverage of the Associate Level Exam. This Sybex Study Guide covers the Associate Exam objectives. Youll prepare smarter and faster with Sybex thanks to expert content, including assessment tests that check your exam readiness, an objective map, real-world scenarios, hands-on exercises, key topic exam essentials, and challenging chapter review questions. Reinforce what you have learned with the Sybex online learning environment and test bank, accessible across multiple devices. Get prepared for the AWS Associate Level Exam today.

Recommended Reading
2017-03-27 AWS Lambda in Action Manning Publications
ISBN 1617293717 ISBN-13 9781617293719
Recommended Reading
2016-09-18 AWS Security Best Practices (AWS Whitepaper) Amazon Web Services

August 2016

This whitepaper provides security best practices that will help you define your Information Security Management System (ISMS) and build a set of security policies and processes for your organization so you can protect your data and assets in the AWS Cloud. It also provides an overview of different security topics such as identifying, categorizing and protecting your assets on AWS, managing access to AWS resources using accounts, users and groups and suggesting ways you can secure your data, your operating systems and applications and overall infrastructure in the cloud.

Module Resources

URL Resources

https://aws.amazon.com/education/awsacademy/

https://aws.amazon.com/

Additional Information

This module contains content developed by Amazon, Inc., and cannot be delivered on any programme without the express written permission of the module author.