AWS Database: The Journey to Certification

A little while ago I wrote about what the Exam Guides recommend to study for the AWS Cloud Practitioner and Associate exams.

AWS Series: The Journey to Certification

Helen Anderson Aug 28 '18 1 min read

#aws #architect #career

It took a while, but I got up to speed with everything for S3 to subnets and CloudWatch to cost optimisation.

I Sat the AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Online: Here's What Happened

Helen Anderson Nov 25 '19 4 min read

#aws #cloud #certification

My next challenge is to study towards the new Database Specialty Certification. There aren't too many resources and online courses as it's a new exam so I've created my own list of resources I'll be using to get there.

This exam requires 5+ years of experience with AWS and their database offerings. So I'll be taking it slow-and-steady with plenty of practice, reading and working through tutorials.

What are we learning about?
Back to Basics
RDS and Aurora
DynamoDB
Database Migration Service and Schema Conversion Tool
Redshift
More resources

What are we learning about?

The Exam Guide breaks down the content of the exam to:

Domain 1: Workload-Specific Database Design - 26%

• Select appropriate database services for specific types of data and workloads
• Determine strategies for disaster recovery and high availability
• Design database solutions for performance, compliance, and scalability
• Compare the costs of database solutions

Domain 2: Deployment and Migration - 20%

• Automate database solution deployments
• Determine data preparation and migration strategies
• Execute and validate data migration

Domain 3: Management and Operations - 18%

• Determine maintenance tasks and processes
• Determine backup and restore strategies
• Manage the operational environment of a database solution

Domain 4: Monitoring and Troubleshooting - 18%

• Determine monitoring and alerting strategies
• Troubleshoot and resolve common database issues
• Optimize database performance

Domain 5: Database Security - 18%

• Encrypt data at rest and in transit
• Evaluate auditing solutions
• Determine access control and authentication mechanisms
• Recognise potential security vulnerabilities within database solutions

Back to Basics

Like the other speciality exams, there are no Associate level certifications to pass first. However, it's recommended to have a foundation-level knowledge of the core services.

• ExamPro Solutions Architect Associate Coursework
• ExamPro Developer Associate Coursework
• Architecting for the Cloud: AWS Best Practices

RDS and Aurora

By the time I get to the exam, I should be able to identify when a relational database is an appropriate solution. Specifically, the pricing, limitations, disaster recovery scenarios, compliance, scalability, and when multi-AZ is appropriate.

Training

• AWS Database Course
• AWS Database Analytics Course
• AWS RDS Service Primer
• AWS PostgreSQL Fundamentals
• AWS PostgreSQL Architecture
• AWS SQL CLI
• AWS PostgreSQL Query Planner

Docs

• AWS Database Cheatsheet
• RDS Documentation
• Amazon RDS Read Replicas

Blogs

• Implementing a Disaster Recovery Strategy
• Best Practices for Securing Sensitive Data
• Reduce Database Cost and Improve Availability

Whitepapers

• Amazon Aurora DBA's Handbook
• Deploying Microsoft SQL Server on AWS

Videos

• Aurora Serverless: Scalable, cost-effective application deployment
• Amazon Aurora storage demystified
• Amazon Aurora Multi-Master: Scaling out database write performance

DynamoDB and NoSQL

I should know DynamoDB really well and when this is a better option. Specifically, primary keys, composite keys, partition keys, sort keys, and sharding.

Training

• Offical DynamoDB Primer
• A Cloud Guru: DynamoDB From Beginner to Pro

Docs

• ElastiCache Documentation
• DocumentDB Documentation
• DynamoDB Documentation

Whitepapers

• Getting Started with Amazon DocumentDB

Videos

• Amazon DocumentDB deep dive
• Data modelling with Amazon DynamoDB
• Amazon DynamoDB deep dive: Advanced design patterns
• Supercharge your real-time apps with Amazon ElastiCache

Database Migration Service and Schema Conversion Tool

I should know when to use the DMS, SCT or both, and how to get set up.

Training

• Database Migration Training

Docs

• Migration Strategy for RDS

Blogs

• What Do You Need to Know Before You Start
• Automating database migration

Whitepapers

• Migrating Applications Running Relational Databases
• Database Migration Service Best Practices

Videos

• Dive deep into AWS SCT and AWS DMS
• Analytical use cases with AWS Database Migration Service

Redshift

I should be able to answer questions on distribution keys, partitioning, cross-region replication, auto-scaling, and when Redshift should be considered over RDS.

Training

• Redshift Service Primer
• Best Practices for Data Warehousing with Amazon Redshift

Docs

• Redshift Documentation
• Redshift Best Practices

Videos

• Migrating your data warehouses to Amazon Redshift

More resources

• Exam Readiness: AWS Certified Database - Specialty
• Exam Feedback on A Cloud Guru
• Vladimir Mukhin's Exam Guide
• Jayendra Patil's Cheat Sheets

That's quite the list, but I'm sure there will more as I get through the AWS coursework as well. Is anyone else on Dev working toward this new certification?

Read More:

AWS concepts from A to Z

Helen Anderson Dec 10 '18 10 min read

#beginners #aws #architect

AWS Databases Deep Dive: Season 1 Recap

Nick Walsh Feb 12 4 min read

#aws #database #sql

DynamoDB Cheatsheet Everything you need to know about Dynamo DB for the 2020 AWS Certified Developer Associate Certification

Andrew Brown Feb 29 9 min read

#aws #database #developer #cloud