AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Examination

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate examination is intended for associates, who exhibit an administrative role in an application environment. The Certification examination tests the ability of the individual to perform deployment, management and operations on the AWS Cloud Platform

Examination Overview

• Duration: 80 minutes
• of Questions: 60
• Pass Score: 65%
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions
• Answers Type: Single/Multiple Options Correct Answers
• Price: 150 USD
• Languages Available: English, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese and Simplified Chinese
• Pre-requisite: There are no pre-requisites to registering and appearing for the examination. AWS certification website recommends the course “System Operations in AWS” as an advisable pre-requisite to successfully clearing the exam and obtaining the certification.

Topics and Content of the Course

The course content for AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Examination is divided into seven domains, each of which contains the various aspects related to Systems Operation and Administration in AWS. Let us have a look at the topics and their sub-headings

Domain 1:

Monitoring on AWS, and Metrics

The sub topics under this header include the following concepts:

• Monitoring Availability and Performance of AWS Instances
• Monitoring and management of cost optimization and billing in AWS

Domain 2:

High Availability

The sub topics under this header include:

• Implementation of scalable and elastic systems based on the requirement scenario
• Ensuring a certain degree of fault tolerance according to the business needs.

Domain 3:

Analysis of AWS Systems

The sub topics under this header include:

• Performance maximization by creating optimal environments using best optimization techniques
• Implement remedies on performance bottlenecks after identifying them
• Identification of potential issues on an application deployment

Domain 4:

Deployment and Provisioning in AWS Systems

The sub-topics under this header include:

• Build environments that conform with the architected design
• Provisioning of cloud resources and managing automated implementation

Domain 5:

Data Management

The sub-topics under this header include:

• Backup creation for various services provided by AWS
• Enforcement of compliance requirements
• Backup and disaster recovery process management

Domain 6:

Security in AWS

The sub-topics under this header include:

• Implementation and management of security policies pertaining to the AWS Cloud Platform
• Ensuring access control and the integrity of data in AWS Systems
• Shared Responsibility Model
• Security Assessment in AWS

Domain 7:

Networking in AWS

The sub-topics under this header include:

• Implementation of networking features in AWS
• Implementation of connectivity features in AWS

Weightage of Domains in the Certification Examination

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Examination contains a diverse range of topics that pertain to the administration, monitoring and deployment using the AWS Cloud Platform. The Examination contains a total 60 multiple choice questions from all seven domains. The weightage of each domain in the examination is as follows:

1. Monitoring on AWS, and Metrics – 15%
2. High Availability – 15%
3. Analysis of AWS Systems – 15%
4. Deployment and Provisioning in AWS Systems – 15%
5. Data Management – 12%
6. Security in AWS – 15%
7. Networking in AWS – 13%

Eligibility Criteria

As per AWS website and certification guidelines, there is no firm pre-requisite to take the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Examination. However, taking the examination requires quite a bit of skill in managing and maintaining AWS Systems. The following set of skills is deemed as a necessary requisite to successfully obtain the AWS certification.

• At least one year of professional experience working with the AWS Cloud Platform in managing and operating production systems
• Substantial knowledge of architecting in AWS
• Hands on experience in operation AWS APIs, CLI and SDKs
• Knowledge of AWS networking and security concepts

Besides the necessary knowledge of Administration in AWS, any aspirant should have the general IT knowledge as below:

• Professional Experience of 1 to 2 years as a Systems Administrator in a Systems Operation role
• Understanding of virtualization technology, monitoring and auditing
• Knowledge of concepts of networking (TCP, Firewall, DNS etc.)

Preparing for the Examination

For any professional seeking to become a certified AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate, one must clear the examination with atleast 65% of the total attainable score. Despite having prior knowledge and experience in administrative and operations roles, it is always advisable to have ample preparation.

Training Classes on AWS

Like other AWS certification courses, an abundance of web-based training on this course is also available on the internet. Amazon Web Services website has a section dedicated to training aspirants in the administrative roles pertaining to the AWS Cloud Platform. These trainings give a vivid overview of the concepts and how to deal with different types of question within a stipulated timeframe.

Guide Books and Practice Questions

Study Guides are always essential when preparing for an examination, especially one of this scale. There are quite a few books present in the market and as digital media online that can help one prepare for the Certification Examination. One such book is the “AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Official Study Guide – Associate Exam” by Stephen Cole, Gareth Digby and 6 other authors who have had the professional experience in working, managing and administrating on the AWS Cloud Platform.

Besides the Official Study Guide, there are a few other books, such as “AWS For Admins for Dummies” by John Paul Mueller.

The books not only contain valuable content, but also a number of sample questions that can give the applicant an insight into the examination process and type of questions.

Mock Examinations

Mock examinations are the best way to check if one is ready for the challenge. You can find lot of practice questions at Whizlabs course.