Birth of AWS
AWS (Amazon Web Services) is the world’s leading cloud computing platform that provides on-demand computing services over the internet.
Instead of buying and managing physical servers, companies use AWS to build, deploy, and scale applications quickly and securely.
Goal of This Lesson
By the end of this article, you will understand:
- What AWS is
- Why AWS was created
- How AWS is used in real-world applications
Simple Meaning
AWS allows you to rent IT infrastructure like servers, storage, and databases whenever you need them.
Why AWS Was Introduced
Before AWS, companies faced many problems:
- High upfront hardware costs
- Long setup time for servers
- Difficulty handling sudden traffic spikes
- Wasted resources during low traffic
Amazon faced the same challenges while running its own e-commerce platform.
Real World Insight
Amazon built a powerful internal infrastructure to handle massive traffic. Later, they decided to offer the same infrastructure to other companies.
Birth of AWS
AWS was officially launched in 2006.
The idea was simple:
- Let developers focus on building applications
- AWS will handle infrastructure management
Turning Point
This changed how software is built across the world.
What AWS Provides
AWS offers services in multiple categories.
1. Compute Services
Used to run applications and backend systems.
Examples:
- Virtual servers
- Containers
- Serverless computing
2. Storage Services
Used to store data securely and reliably.
Examples:
- File storage
- Object storage
- Backup storage
3. Database Services
Used to store application data.
Examples:
- Relational databases
- NoSQL databases
- In-memory databases
4. Networking Services
Used to connect and secure cloud resources.
Examples:
- Virtual networks
- Load balancers
- Firewalls
Important
All these services are pay-as-you-go. You pay only for what you use.
A Small Story: Life Before and After AWS
A startup wanted to launch an online application.
Before AWS:
- Servers had to be purchased
- Setup took weeks
- High initial cost
- Scaling was difficult
After moving to AWS:
- Servers launched in minutes
- Costs matched actual usage
- Application scaled automatically
- Global users accessed the app smoothly
Result
AWS helped the startup grow faster and cheaper.
AWS Global Infrastructure
AWS runs data centers all over the world.
It is designed to provide:
- High availability
- Low latency
- Fault tolerance
Core components:
- Regions
- Availability Zones
- Edge locations
Pro Tip
Choosing the right region improves performance and reduces cost.
Why Companies Choose AWS
Companies use AWS because:
- No upfront investment
- Highly scalable infrastructure
- Strong security
- Global reach
- Reliable services
Learning Insight
AWS is not just for big companies. Startups, students, and enterprises all use AWS.
AWS and Modern Applications
AWS is used to build:
- Websites
- Mobile applications
- Data pipelines
- Machine learning systems
- Streaming platforms
Real World Scenario
Popular apps you use daily are most likely running on AWS behind the scenes.
Exercise
- Write down why AWS is better than physical servers