AWS DevOps Course Free: Best Beginner's Guide with Certification and Online Training

In today's digital world, organizations are rapidly adopting cloud technologies and Agile methodologies to enhance efficiency, scalability, and agility. AWS(Amazon Web Services) is one of the largest cloud platforms globally, and plays a critical role in this transformation. AWS and DevOps, a combination of practices and tools that increase an organization's ability to deliver applications and services at high velocity, is now a crucial skill set for IT professionals. You may have a question on how to get started. 

AWS DevOps and if you could find high-quality, free training courses that offer certification. In this blog, you can explore the best AWS DevOps free courses, online Training resources, and how you can leverage these to begin your journey. 

What is AWS DevOps? 

Before we get started with the available courses, it is essential to understand what AWS DevOps entails. DevOps combines “Development” and “Operations” practices into a cohesive strategy aimed at enhancing the software development lifecycle. It emphasizes automation, collaboration, continuous integration(CI), and continuous delivery(CD). When applied to AWS, DevOps helps teams to automate and streamline infrastructure management, enabling businesses to deploy applications faster, reduce errors, and improve overall productivity. AWS offers a suite of services tailored to the DevOps methodology including

AWS CodePipeline: A service that automates continuous delivery pipelines.

AWS CodeBuild: It compiles source code and runs tests. 

AWS CodeDeploy: It automates application deployments to various compute services like EC2 and Lambda. 

AWS CloudFormation: Manages infrastructure as code(IaC).

AWS CloudWatch: It monitors resources and applications to optimize performance. By mastering AWS DevOps, you can implement practices that will help you build and maintain scalable, efficient, and secure systems.

The importance of AWS DevOps

As the demand for cloud computing and automation grows, so does the need for certified professionals who are proficient in AWS DevOps.

An AWS certification can serve as a powerful credential that showcases your skills to potential employers. It can be particularly beneficial if you are starting your career in cloud technologies or seeking to switch to a DevOps role. One of the most sought-after certifications in this field is the “AWS Certified DevOps Engineer- Professional. This certification validates your ability to implement and manage continuous delivery systems, automate continuous delivery systems, automate security controls, and monitor complex AWS environments. Although it is considered an advanced-level certification, there are several beginner-level courses that can help you get started, many of which are available for free. 

Free AWS DevOps Courses for Beginners

The good news for Beginners is that you don't have to invest in expensive boot camps or courses to learn AWS DevOps. There are several free resources, online courses, and tutorials that offer excellent training material, helping you understand the core concepts and tools at no cost. Here are some of the best free AWS DevOps courses available for beginners.

1.AWS Training and Certification Free Tier

• AWS itself provides a range of free digital training courses for those who want to learn about its services, including DevOps-related topics. 

• The AWS Free Tier offers access to many of the basic services and training modules, allowing you to practice hands-on skills.

Key resources include

• AWS DevOps Fundamentals: A self-paced course that introduces you to the basics of DevOps practices, focusing on AWS services such as AWS CodeBuild, AWS CodeDeploy, and more. 

• AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials: Although not solely focused on DevOps, this course provides a strong foundation in AWS services, helping beginners understand the platform better. 

• AWS Skill Builder: This is a learning Centre where you can access hundreds of free training courses, labs, and exams. These resources can be a great starting point for those new to the cloud and looking to explore DevOps concepts.

2. Udemy- AWS DevOps Foundations

While Udemy often offers paid courses, many instructors provide free introductory courses on AWS DevOps. The AWS DevOps Foundations course, for example, covers the basics of DevOps on AWS and is designed for beginners. This course explains the critical services, continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines, and how to use your infrastructure. Since Udemy frequently offers discounts and free promotions, you can often enroll in these beginner courses at no cost.

3. Coursera- AWS Cloud Technical Essentials

Cousera offers the “AWS Cloud Technical Essentials”, developed by AWS Experts. While this course is not strictly DevOps focused, it provides a strong introduction to AWS services which is crucial if you are aiming to become proficient in AWS DevOps. You will learn the basics of cloud computing, networking, storage and more, which are essential components of the AWS ecosystem. Also, Coursera's free tier allows you to audit the course without paying for certification.

4. EDX-AWS Developer

Building on AWS EDX, in collaboration with AWS, offers the AWS Developer. This free, self-paced course teaches you the foundational AWS services required to build modern applications. While it focuses primarily on development, it covers many services crucial to a DevOps pipeline such as AWS Lambda and AWS CloudFormation. The course is ideal for beginners who want to understand AWS from a developer's perspective and transition into a DevOps role later.

5. AWS Well-Architected Labs

AWS offers free “Well-Architected Labs” which provide hands-on experience in deploying secure and efficient systems on AWS. While these Labs are not exclusively for DevOps, many scenarios focus on automation, infrastructure as code(IaC), and monitoring, which are key components of a DevOps pipeline. By following the step-by-step instructions in these labs, you can gain practical experience with tools like AWS CloudFormation and AWS CodePipeline.

Path to AWS DevOps Certification

Now that we have explored some of the best free resources, let us talk about how you can leverage these to pursue an AWS DevOps Certification. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to getting certified

Step-1: Build a foundation in AWS

Start with introductory courses such as “AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials” or “AWS Cloud Technical Essentials”. These will help you understand the basic AWS services and concepts. You can also get hands-on experience using the AWS Free Tier. 

Step-2: Learn DevOps Practices

Once you have a solid understanding of AWS, move on to learning DevOps practices. Explore courses like AWS DevOps Fundamentals and watch free YouTube tutorials to gain insights into CI/CD pipelines, automation, and infrastructure as code. Practicing with tools like Docker, Jenkins, and Terraform can also be beneficial. 

Stel-3: Hands-on Practice with AWS Tools

Use AWS services like CodePipeline, CodeBuild, and CloudFormation to create and manage CI/CD pipelines. AWS provides free labs and hands-on experience that allow you to experiment with these tools.

Step-4: Study for the Certification Exam

When you feel confident in your knowledge, start preparing for the “AWS Certified DevOps Engineer”- professional exam. AWS offers a free exam guide, sample questions, and practice tests to help you access your readiness. You can also explore study materials, such as whitepapers and case studies, to broaden your understanding. 

Step-5: Take the Exam

Once you are ready, schedule the exam through AWS Training and Certification. You can choose to take it online or at a testing centre. Passing this exam will validate your skills in implementing and managing AWS DevOps system and give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Additional Tips for Success

Here are a few additional tips to help you succeed in learning AWS DevOps and obtaining your Certification. 

• Join AWS Communities: Engage with online forums, social media groups, and local AWS user groups to network with professionals and get advice.

• Stay updated: AWS frequently updates its services, so it is crucial to stay updated with the latest features and best practices. 

• Leverage GitHub and Open-Source Projects: Contributing to or exploring open source projects on GitHub can give you practical experience in real world DevOps scenarios.

• Focus on Problem-Solving: AWS DevOps is not just about using tools; it's about solving business problems. Always think about how you can optimize systems for scalability, security, and efficiency.

Conclusion

Starting your AWS DevOps journey doesn't have to be overwhelming or expensive. With a range of free courses, online training, and hands-on labs available, you can easily acquire the skills needed to excel in this field. Whether you are a beginner in cloud computing or an experienced developer looking to switch to a DevOps role, these resources provide a solid foundation for mastering AWS DevOps and pursuing Certification. Follow the outlined path, stay consistent with your learning, and you will be well on your way to becoming a certified AWS DevOps professional.

Take this as your sign to connect with us and get Certified in AWS DevOps!