Cloud computing can seem overwhelming at first, especially when you're just getting started. To ease into it, I recently completed the AWS 101 Workshop — a hands-on beginner-friendly guide that walks you through deploying a web server securely inside your own Amazon VPC.
Workshop link: AWS 101 Workshop
What is the AWS 101 Workshop?
The AWS 101 Workshop is designed to introduce cloud beginners to essential services and networking concepts within AWS. It walks you through deploying a secure, private web tier in AWS with controlled internet access.
You configure an EC2 instance that cannot be reached directly from the internet, but can still access public services like Amazon S3 or download packages via outbound internet.
Key AWS Services Covered
Here are the main AWS services used throughout the workshop:
Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)
Launch and manage virtual machines, configure instance types, attach storage, and apply security groups for access control.
Amazon VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)
Set up a secure virtual network with public and private subnets, routing tables, internet gateways, and NAT gateways to control traffic.
Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)
Upload and retrieve files from object storage. You also learn how to allow EC2 access to S3 using IAM roles instead of access keys.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Grant secure, role-based access to AWS resources. Learn to apply least-privilege principles by setting fine-grained permissions.
My Experience and Learnings
This workshop provided a practical challenge: configure a private EC2 instance that can access external services without being exposed to the internet. Initially, setting up the VPC, subnets, and route tables was a bit confusing — but it all came together after some trial and error.
One of the most interesting parts was enabling outbound internet using a NAT Gateway in a public subnet, allowing the EC2 instance in the private subnet to download packages while remaining invisible to the outside world.
Another key takeaway was how IAM roles can be used to grant EC2 access to S3 without hardcoding credentials, ensuring both security and automation.
Key Takeaways
- Hands-on experience configuring EC2, VPC, S3, and IAM
- Learned to isolate and secure infrastructure using private subnets
- Gained exposure to AWS networking fundamentals: subnets, route tables, gateways
- Understood how to use IAM roles instead of static credentials
- Confidence to start deploying cloud-based applications with better security awareness
Final Result
At the end of the workshop, I successfully deployed a sample web application using a private EC2 instance behind a load balancer. The setup followed modern architectural principles, including network isolation, least privilege access, and centralized logging.
To view the deployed application:
- Retrieve the Load Balancer DNS from the AWS Console
- Paste it in your browser
- Access the live app running in a secure cloud environment
Advice for Beginners
If you're planning to try this workshop, here are a few tips:
- Review basic networking concepts like CIDR, NAT, and routing
- Follow each step slowly and carefully; don’t rush
- Use the AWS documentation when something feels unclear
- Take notes on what each component does — it helps with retention
This workshop is a great stepping stone before diving into AWS certifications or more advanced services like Lambda, ECS, or CloudFormation.
Conclusion
Completing the AWS 101 Workshop has been a rewarding endeavor, laying a robust foundation for my cloud computing journey. I encourage others to explore this and other AWS learning opportunities to build their skills in this ever-evolving domain.
AWS offers a variety of workshops catering to different skill levels and interests, which can be found on the AWS Workshops page.
Final Result of the Deployed Service
This workshop was a perfect hands-on intro to AWS — I highly recommend it to beginners eager to build real-world cloud skills.
