Cloud computing is one of this era’s most popular technological breakthroughs. It has undergone a significant transformation, becoming one of the most essential components of the corporate, industrial, and information technology sectors. Many platform providers are focusing on providing the greatest infrastructure and platforms for cloud-based services at the moment. AWS is one of the most modern cloud computing software platforms available, providing highly secure cloud-based services. Therefore, becoming an AWS SysOps Administrator will provide you with a greater understanding of cloud computing IT, industrial, and commercial applications, which will help you advance in your career.
However, entering into the field of AWS Administrator demands a lot of effort, and then you’ll need a lot of skill sets to keep up the momentum and advance in your AWS Administrator career. So, in order to gain this job, we’ll go over all of the major and small aspects of it, as well as the procedures and references that will get you one step closer.
So, let us understand more about the AWS SysOps Administrator roles and responsibilities
Role of an AWS SysOps Administrator
AWS SysOps Administrator is someone who has the skills and ability for:
- Maintaining and supporting AWS workloads as per the AWS Well-Architected Framework
- Executing operations by using the AWS Management Console and the AWS CLI
- Thirdly, applying security controls to meet compliance requirements
- Monitoring, logging, and troubleshooting systems
- Next, implementing networking concepts (DNS, TCP/IP, firewalls) and architectural requirements (high availability, performance, capacity)
- After that, executing business continuity and disaster recovery procedures
- Lastly, discovering, classifying, and remediating incidents
The very first step towards earning the role of an AWS SysOps Administrator is to pass the AWS SOA-C02 exam.
Understand the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate Exam
(SOA-C02)
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02) exam is designed for system administrators in a cloud operations role. The exam validates your ability in deploying, managing, and operating workloads on AWS. However, this exam requires one year of experience with deployment, management, networking, and security on AWS. Further, the knowledge requirement includes:
Basic knowledge for the Exam:
- You must have one to two years of experience as a systems administrator in an operations role and with AWS technology
- Secondly, experience in monitoring, logging, and troubleshooting
- Understanding of networking concepts (for example, DNS, TCP/IP, firewalls)
- Fourthly, skills for applying architectural requirements (for example, high availability, performance, capacity)
- Knowledge of the AWS Well-Architected Framework with experience with the AWS Management Console and the AWS CLI
- Then, knowledge of AWS networking and security services
- Lastly, hands-on experience in applying security controls and compliance requirements
Exam Format:
For the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02) exam you will get 180 minutes for completing the exam. There will be 65 questions of type multiple-choice, multiple responses, or exam labs. The exam can be accessible in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese at a cost of 150 USD.
AWS SysOps Administrator Exam Passing Ways
You’ve decided what you want to achieve. It’s now time to expand your knowledge and abilities in order to advance your career as a SysOps Administrator. Check out these AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate-related Training and Certification resources. These suggested resources provide an opportunity to learn from professionals while receiving proper assistance.
1. Getting familiar with the Exam Domains
The AWS Exam Guide covers a wide range of subjects, all of which are current and relevant. Exam weightings, test domains, and exam goals are all covered. Begin with the most difficult topics and, once you’ve mastered them, you will get an idea of your learning speed for the other topics. The following are the domains:
Domain 1: Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation
- Applying metrics, alarms, and filters by using AWS monitoring and logging services
- Remediating issues depending on monitoring and availability metrics
Domain 2: Reliability and Business Continuity
- Implementing scalability and elasticity
- Implementing high availability and resilient environments
- Applying backup and restore strategies
Domain 3: Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation
- Provisioning and maintaining cloud resources
- Automating manual or repeatable processes
Domain 4: Security and Compliance
- Implementing and managing security and compliance policies
- Applying data and infrastructure protection strategies
Domain 5: Networking and Content Delivery
- Implementing networking features and connectivity
- Configuring domains, DNS services, and content delivery
- Troubleshooting network connectivity issues
Domain 6: Cost and Performance Optimization
- Implementing cost optimization strategies
- Applying performance optimization strategies
2. Gaining skills using AWS Training
AWS Technical Essentials
AWS Technical Essentials will provide an overview of the important AWS services and solutions. The fundamental AWS principles of computation, database, storage, networking, monitoring, and security are covered in this course. Further, the course covers the principles you’ll need to improve your understanding of AWS services so you can make well-informed judgments regarding solutions that match your needs. And, you’ll learn how to create, compare, and implement highly available, fault-tolerant, scalable, and cost-effective cloud systems throughout the course.
Systems Operations on AWS
This course teaches system operators and anyone else in charge of system operations how to set up, configure, automate, monitor, secure, manage, and troubleshoot the services, networks, and systems on AWS that are required to enable business applications. However, specific AWS capabilities, tools, and best practices relating to these functions are also covered in the course.
Further, in this, you will learn the process of:
- Automating resource deployment using AWS services like:
- AWS CloudFormation
- AWS Service Catalog
- Secondly, using AWS services for managing AWS resources through SysOps lifecycle processes such as deployments and patches
- Using Amazon CloudWatch and associated features like alarms, dashboards, and widgets for monitoring your cloud environment
- Lastly, managing permissions and tracking activity in your cloud environment using AWS services like:
- AWS CloudTrail
- AWS Config
Exam Readiness: SysOps Administrator — Associate
This course is for systems administrators and operators who are preparing to take the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification exam. Here, you will learn how to prepare for the test by reviewing the exam’s topic areas and choosing particular areas to study in this intermediate-level course. Moreover, in this, you’ll go over sample questions in each topic area and learn how to analyze the ideas being assessed so you can remove the wrong answers faster.
Further, this course will help you in learning the process of:
- Firstly, exam structure and question types
- Secondly, explaining the concepts being tested by an exam question
- Lastly, allocating studying time for the exam
3. Proficiency with AWS Documentation
AWS Well-Architected Framework
The AWS Well-Architected Framework explains the benefits and drawbacks of decisions made while developing systems on AWS. Using the Framework will teach you how to create and operate safe, dependable, efficient, cost-effective, and long-lasting workloads on the AWS Cloud. It allows you to compare your designs to best practices on a regular basis and find areas for improvement.
Further, the architecture review process is not an audit mechanism, but rather a constructive discussion regarding architectural decisions. We feel that having well-architected systems raises the chances of company success significantly.
Amazon Virtual Private Cloud Connectivity Options
Depending on existing network configurations and requirements, Amazon VPC offers a variety of network connectivity choices. The network backbone can be the internet or an AWS Direct Connect connection, with the link terminating at either AWS or user-managed network endpoints. However, you may also pick how network routing is supplied between Amazon VPC and your networks using AWS, using either AWS-managed network equipment and routes or user-managed network equipment and routes.
4. Join Online Courses
To become an AWS SysOps Administrator Associate, you’ll need a solid understanding of how to install, manage, and operate workloads on AWS. Furthermore, one to two years of experience working as a systems administrator in an operations capacity and with AWS technology is needed, as well as knowledge of AWS deployment, administration, networking, and security. Enrolling in an online training course, on the other hand, may help you improve in all of these areas. Taking the online course, in other words, can assist you in studying for the test by providing expert-level support in resolving any issues or queries you may have.
Additionally, there are some online course providers listed below that can assist you in becoming well-versed and equipped with in-depth knowledge in order to pass the test.
- Udemy
- Testprep Training
- Simplilearn
- Cloudguru
5. Level up revision using Practice tests
Practice examinations can help you figure out how long it will take you to answer each question and how well you understand each topic. Practice examinations may also help you focus on single-domain themes, which is a good place to start while studying for a test. Start taking full-length practice tests when you’ve mastered the domain to boost your revision abilities. So, to learn more about your skills and limitations, start by taking a practice AWS SysOps Administrator Associate exam.
6. Schedule and take the exam
Create an AWS training and certification account to register for the exam. This account will allow you to manage your exam, certification history, digital badges, certificate download, and certificate perks, among other things. AWS certification exams may now be taken from the comfort of your own home; simply choose Pearson VUE when booking the exam.
Further, after taking the exam:
You can now start working on your own projects, putting your newfound skills and knowledge to good use. This may be utilized as an evaluation of your abilities as well as a way to demonstrate your capabilities to the company during the interview. Additionally, this will help you in acquiring well-paying work with a respected company.
In the United States, AWS SysOps Admins earn around the US $994,560 per year. And, AWS SysOps Admins earn an average yearly pay of ₹994,560 in India.
Related to the job, some of the top companies hiring for the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate role include:
- Genpact
- Siemens
- Accenture
- IBM
- Gartner
7. Start preparing for professional-level certification
After passing the AWS SysOps Admin Associate exam and gaining some years of experience in the job you can start preparing for the AWS DevOps Engineer Professional certification exam. The exam assesses your technical knowledge of AWS platform deployment, operation, and management of distributed application systems. However, earning this certification will not only help you advance your skills but will also give a boost to your career thus, making it more stable both salary and position wise.
Final Words
The greatest way to maximize your job security and earn a higher income is to pass the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate exam. As a result, in order to improve your preparation for this exam, you must concentrate on all of the essential areas. Finally, construct a study plan, understand test patterns utilizing the information supplied above, and pass the exam for a step-by-step preparation. After you’ve earned the position, get experience before applying for more advanced credentials.
