We started our class with the usual revision session, which I've summarized here. I highly recommend reviewing it if you haven't done so already. Let’s dive into 20 AWS Core Services as thought by our awesome instructors.
20 AWS Core Services and Their Use Cases (Expanded Guide)
Amazon Web Services has become the backbone of the digital economy. From startups to global enterprises, AWS provides cloud infrastructure that enables organizations to build, innovate, and scale faster than ever before. But with over 200 services available, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. In this expanded guide, we’ll explore 20 Core AWS Services, grouped by category, with detailed explanations and real-world use cases. These are the building blocks that almost every AWS architecture relies on.
Compute Services
1. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)
What it is:
Amazon EC2 provides scalable virtual servers in the cloud. You can choose CPU, memory, storage, and networking capacity to fit your workload.
Why it matters:
EC2 eliminates the need to buy physical servers. You can spin up a new instance in minutes, scale during traffic spikes, and shut down when not in use paying only for what you consume.
Use case example:
Airbnb uses EC2 to scale its platform globally. During high-demand travel seasons, they can instantly provision more compute power to handle millions of requests.
2. AWS Lambda
What it is:
AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that runs your code in response to events (like file uploads, API calls, or database updates). You don’t manage servers just upload code and AWS handles the rest.
Why it matters:
Ideal for microservices and event-driven applications. You only pay for execution time, making it cost-efficient.
Use case example:
Coca-Cola uses Lambda to process payments from vending machines scaling effortlessly as transactions occur.
3. AWS Elastic Beanstalk
What it is:
A platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that automatically manages infrastructure, load balancing, scaling, and monitoring for web applications.
Why it matters:
Developers can focus on code instead of worrying about servers and deployment pipelines.
Use case example:
A startup can launch a new Node.js or Python app within hours using Beanstalk ideal for MVP development.
4. Amazon EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service)
What it is:
Managed Kubernetes service that makes it easier to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications using Kubernetes.
Why it matters:
Kubernetes has become the standard for container orchestration, and EKS reduces the complexity of managing it yourself.
Use case example:
Samsung uses EKS to run microservices that power billions of devices worldwide.
Storage Services
5. Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)
What it is:
Object storage built for scalability, durability, and low cost. Perfect for files, backups, media, and data lakes.
Why it matters:
Highly durable (11 nines of durability), globally accessible, and integrates with nearly every AWS service.
Use case example:
Netflix stores and delivers massive video libraries through S3, powering global streaming at scale.
6. Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Store)
What it is:
Block storage volumes attached to EC2 instances. Works like a hard drive for your cloud servers.
Why it matters:
Supports high-performance applications like databases and enterprise workloads.
Use case example:
Companies running SAP on AWS use EBS to provide fast, persistent storage for mission-critical apps.
7. Amazon EFS (Elastic File System)
What it is:
Managed file storage that can be mounted across multiple EC2 instances.
Why it matters:
Ideal for workloads requiring shared storage, such as content management or machine learning training data.
Use case example:
Media companies use EFS to support collaborative video editing where multiple servers need access to the same files.
Database Services
8. Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service)
What it is:
Managed relational database supporting MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and MariaDB.
Why it matters:
Automates backups, patching, and scaling, so developers can focus on queries instead of maintenance.
Use case example:
An e-commerce startup uses RDS MySQL to handle orders and inventory without hiring a full-time DBA.
9. Amazon DynamoDB
What it is:
A fully managed NoSQL database designed for high-speed, high-scale applications.
Why it matters:
Supports millions of requests per second with single-digit millisecond latency.
Use case example:
Snapchat relies on DynamoDB to handle real-time user interactions and chat messages.
10. Amazon Redshift
What it is:
A cloud data warehouse optimized for analytics and big data.
Why it matters:
Handles petabytes of data and integrates seamlessly with BI tools.
Use case example:
Yelp uses Redshift to analyze billions of rows of data to improve customer recommendations.
11. AWS Glue
What it is:
Managed ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) service for preparing and cleaning data.
Why it matters:
Automates data pipelines and integrates with analytics and machine learning.
Use case example:
Retailers use Glue to clean sales data before feeding it into dashboards for business insights.
Networking & Content Delivery
12. Amazon VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)
What it is:
A logically isolated section of the AWS cloud where you can launch resources securely.
Why it matters:
Lets you design secure architectures with custom IP ranges, subnets, and firewalls.
Use case example:
Financial institutions use VPCs to run workloads in compliance with strict security requirements.
13. Amazon Route 53
What it is:
Scalable Domain Name System (DNS) service.
Why it matters:
Handles domain registration, routing, and failover to ensure high availability.
Use case example:
Slack uses Route 53 for DNS management to keep their collaboration platform online 24/7.
14. Amazon CloudFront
What it is:
A global Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Why it matters:
Delivers websites, videos, and APIs with low latency by caching content close to users.
Use case example:
Disney+ uses CloudFront to deliver HD video streams to millions of subscribers worldwide.
Security & Identity
15. AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management)
What it is:
Controls user access and permissions across AWS resources.
Why it matters:
Critical for implementing least-privilege security policies.
Use case example:
Enterprises enforce IAM policies so only specific teams can manage production resources.
16. AWS KMS (Key Management Service)
What it is:
Manages encryption keys for securing data.
Why it matters:
Ensures compliance and data security across storage and databases.
Use case example:
Healthcare providers use KMS to encrypt sensitive patient health records.
Monitoring & Messaging
17. Amazon CloudWatch
What it is:
Monitoring and observability service.
Why it matters:
Collects logs, metrics, and events to monitor infrastructure health and trigger alerts.
Use case example:
An e-commerce site uses CloudWatch alarms to automatically scale EC2 instances during peak holiday traffic.
18. Amazon SNS (Simple Notification Service)
What it is:
A messaging service that sends push notifications, SMS, or emails.
Why it matters:
Great for broadcasting messages to multiple subscribers.
Use case example:
Ride-hailing apps use SNS to notify customers when drivers arrive.
19. Amazon SQS (Simple Queue Service)
What it is:
Message queuing service for decoupling applications.
Why it matters:
Improves reliability and scalability in distributed systems.
Use case example:
Ticketing platforms use SQS to handle bursts of booking requests without crashing.
20. AWS CloudFormation
What it is:
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) service.
Why it matters:
Lets you define AWS infrastructure in templates that can be reused and automated.
Use case example:
DevOps teams use CloudFormation to replicate staging and production environments consistently.
These 20 Core AWS Services represent the foundation of the cloud. They cover compute, storage, databases, networking, security, and more. Everything you need to build modern, scalable, and secure applications.
By learning how these services connect, you’ll gain the skills to design systems that power real-world platforms from Netflix streams to Airbnb bookings. Whether you’re a developer, architect, or business leader, mastering these services is the key to unlocking AWS’s full potential.
I truly appreciate your support throughout this journey and your enthusiasm is incredibly motivating! I encourage you to dive deeper into the concepts we've explored together. Remember, practice is key, so keep experimenting and refining your skills!
I’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts, so please leave a comment below to start a conversation!
I’m Ikoh Sylva, a dedicated Cloud Computing enthusiast with several months of hands-on experience in AWS. I’m documenting my cloud journey from a beginner's perspective right here. If this resonates with you, please like and follow my posts, and consider sharing this article with others who are starting their own cloud journeys. Together, we can learn and grow!
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