"Ever walked into an AWS interview and felt like you were speaking a different language? Let’s fix that."
Whether you’re preparing for your first cloud job or trying to land that next-level DevOps role, AWS interviews can feel intimidating. But they don’t have to be.
In this series, I’ll break down the most common AWS interview questions with simple, beginner-friendly answers, using real-world analogies and explanations that stick.
🎯 Who's This For?
- Self-taught devs or bootcamp grads
- Career switchers aiming for cloud roles
- Anyone who wants AWS clarity without the jargon
Let’s dive into Round 1 of the AWS Interview Series. 💥
☁️ Q1: What is AWS?
Answer:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is like a giant online toolbox for developers. Instead of buying servers, storage, and networking hardware, you rent them from AWS on demand.
Analogy: Think of AWS like Netflix for IT infrastructure. You don’t own the DVDs (hardware), but you can stream (use) anything you need, anytime.
🚀 Q2: What is EC2?
Answer:
EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) lets you run virtual machines (called instances) in the cloud. You can install OS, software, and run code like it's a normal computer.
Analogy: Imagine EC2 as renting a computer in the cloud that you can turn on, off, and pay for only when you use it.
💾 Q3: Difference between S3, EBS, and EFS?
Answer:
- S3: Store files (images, videos, backups) like Google Drive
- EBS: Hard drive for your EC2 instance
- EFS: Shared folder across multiple EC2s (like a network drive)
Analogy:
- S3 = Locker
- EBS = Laptop's SSD
- EFS = Shared office folder
🔐 Q4: What is IAM?
Answer:
IAM (Identity and Access Management) is AWS's way of managing "who can do what" in your AWS account.
Analogy: Think of it like door keys and roles in an office building — some people can enter the lobby, some can access the server room.
🌍 Q5: What is a VPC?
Answer:
A Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is your private network inside AWS. You control IP addresses, subnets, gateways, and security settings.
Analogy: Like setting up a secure Wi-Fi network for your cloud servers.
📦 Q6: What is a Load Balancer?
Answer:
It distributes incoming traffic across multiple servers so no single server gets overwhelmed.
Analogy: Like a restaurant host assigning customers to different tables to avoid crowding.
📜 Q7: What are IAM Policies?
Answer:
Policies are JSON documents that define permissions. They control what actions a user or role can perform.
Example:
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": "s3:PutObject",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*"
}
This lets the user upload files to a specific S3 bucket.
🛠️ Q8: Difference between CloudFormation and Terraform?
Answer:
- CloudFormation is AWS’s built-in Infrastructure-as-Code tool
- Terraform is open-source and supports multiple clouds
Analogy: CloudFormation is like using an Apple-only charger. Terraform is the universal charger that works with everything.
📊 Q9: What is CloudWatch vs CloudTrail?
- CloudWatch: Monitor performance and set alarms
- CloudTrail: Audit who did what and when (like activity logs)
Analogy:
- CloudWatch = Health tracker for your AWS resources
- CloudTrail = Security camera footage of user actions
🧠 Q10: What's the Shared Responsibility Model?
Answer:
AWS secures the cloud (hardware, infra), while you secure what you put in it (apps, data, configs).
Example: AWS locks the data center. You have to set the correct S3 bucket permissions.
💬 Final Thoughts + CTA
These questions aren’t just for interviews — they’re the core building blocks of AWS.
✅ Save this blog as a reference.
✅ Practice explaining each concept in your own words.
✅ Want more rounds (incl. scenario-based Qs)? Drop a comment!
👉 Which question was most helpful to you?
❤️ Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔁 Share with your study group or dev buddy.
Let’s ace AWS interviews together!
Top comments (1)
Very good 👍🏼