This section of the Solution Architect Associate learning path introduces you to the core networking concepts and services relevant to the SAA-C03 exam. We start with an introduction to the AWS Virtual Private Network (VPC) and networking services. We then understand the options available and learn how to select and apply AWS networking services to meet specific design scenarios relevant to the Solution Architect Associate exam.
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Learning Objectives
- Get a foundational understanding of VPCs, their security, and connectivity
- Understand the basics of networking including Elastic IP addresses, Elastic Network Interfaces, networking with EC2, VPC endpoints, and AWS Global Accelerator
- Learn about the DNS and content delivery services Amazon Route 53 and Amazon CloudFront
The Route 53 resolver is the DNS service for VPCs that integrates with your data center. Connectivity needs to be established between your data center DNS and AWS using a Direct Connect (DX) or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. You configure endpoints for DNS queries into and out of VPCs. Endpoints are configured through IP address assignment in each subnet needing the Route 53 Resolver.
Inbound queries allow DNS queries that originate in your data center to resolve AWS-hosted domains.
Outbound DNS queries are enabled using conditional forwarding rules. Domains hosted in your data center can be configured as forwarding rules in Route 53 resolver. Rules trigger when a query is made to one of those domains and the request is forwarded to your data center. This recursive DNS for your VPCs controls how DNS queries are handled between your VPCs and your data center.
Finally, the Route 53 Resolver DNS firewall is a managed firewall service for DNS queries that start in your VPCs. You use a firewall rule group to define how Route 53 Resolver DNS firewall inspects and filters traffic coming from your VPC. Each rule consists of a domain list to inspect in DNS queries and an action to take when a query results in a match. You can allow a matching query to go through, allow it to go through with an alert or you can block it and respond with a default or a custom response. To begin the filtering you associate the rule group to the VPCs you want to protect. Route 53 resolver DNS firewall will apply your defined filtering rules to the outgoing VPC traffic.
Stuart has been working within the IT industry for two decades covering a huge range of topic areas and technologies, from data center and network infrastructure design, to cloud architecture and implementation.
To date, Stuart has created 150+ courses relating to Cloud reaching over 180,000 students, mostly within the AWS category and with a heavy focus on security and compliance.
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He is AWS certified and accredited in addition to being a published author covering topics across the AWS landscape.
In January 2016 Stuart was awarded ‘Expert of the Year Award 2015’ from Experts Exchange for his knowledge share within cloud services to the community.
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