Guided Lab: Exploring the AWS Management Console
Description
The AWS Management Console is a simple, browser-based interface that provides centralized access to manage and monitor AWS resources and services. It is designed to make it easy for beginners and advanced users to navigate AWS offerings, configure services, and gain visibility into their AWS environment. The console features intuitive dashboards, a powerful search engine, and customizable widgets that streamline daily tasks. By understanding how to use the AWS Management Console efficiently, you can enhance your productivity, optimize resource management, and have full control over your cloud infrastructure.
This lab will introduce you to the fundamental aspects of the AWS Management Console, guiding you through customizing the interface, navigating key sections, and adding your frequently used services to the favorites bar for quicker access.
Objectives
By the end of this lab, you will:
- Understand how to navigate and customize the AWS Management Console.
- Learn how to configure and rearrange widgets on the AWS Dashboard.
- Explore essential sections like Account Information, AWS Regions, and AWS Service Selector.
- Discover how to add services to your favorites for quick access.
Subscribe to access AWS PlayCloud LabsLab Steps
Navigate the AWS Console Dashboard
1. Access the AWS Console in your browser. Once you’re logged in, you will be on the main dashboard.
NOTE: Ignore any “Access Denied” warnings. These warnings occur because the PlayCloud Sandbox environment applies limited access based on the principle of least privilege. This ensures a secure and controlled space for testing and experimentation.
2. You can configure and rearrange the widgets displayed in the main body of the page for a more personalized view.
Explore the AWS Account Information Section
1. Click on your account name in the top right corner to access the Account Information dropdown menu. Here are the key options you will explore:
- Account: View details related to your account, such as your address, contact information, billing settings, and more.
- Organization: AWS Organizations allows you to manage multiple AWS accounts centrally. This service is ideal for consolidating and controlling access across different accounts.
- Service Quotas: Learn about AWS quotas or limits, which define the maximum values for resources, actions, and items in your AWS account.
- Billing Dashboard: Click here to access the AWS Billing console. The dashboard provides an overview of your AWS expenditure.
- Security Credentials: Redirects you to the AWS IAM section, where you can change your password, enable 2FA, generate API keys, and manage other security settings.
Note: In the PlayCloud Sandbox environment, access to services like AWS Organizations may be restricted due to the principle of least privilege.
2. Explore the General Settings to configure the default language, and console appearance.
Explore the AWS Regions Section
1. On the top navigation bar, click on the current region (e.g., “US East (N. Virginia)”). A dropdown menu will appear, showing all available AWS Regions.
Note: The PlayCloud Sandbox environment restricts testing to the US East (N. Virginia) Region to ensure a consistent and secure testing setup.
2. Select a different Region from the list if needed, but remember any functionality outside of N. Virginia will not be supported in this sandbox environment.
Use the AWS Search Feature
1. At the top of the page, locate the search box. Enter any text to search for AWS services, resources, or documentation.
The search results are categorized into the following sections:
- Services
- Features
- Resources
- Blogs
- Documentation
- Knowledge Articles
- Tutorials
- Events
- Marketplace
Use this feature to locate and access resources within AWS quickly.
2. How to Add Favorites:
- To easily access frequently used services, click on the star icon next to a service name. This action will mark the service as a favorite.
- Once marked, the service will be pinned to the navigation bar, allowing quick access.
- Click the star icon to add favorites from the search results.
Navigate the AWS Service Selector Section
1. Click on Services in the top-left corner of the navigation bar to open the Service Selector.
- Services are organized into categories: Analytics, Compute, Database, and Storage.
- To explore services by category, simply click on the desired category. For example, you’ll find services like Amazon Athena, Amazon CloudSearch, and AWS Data Pipeline under Analytics.
Congratulations! You have successfully explored the AWS Management Console, navigated different sections, and customized your dashboard to suit your needs. You also learned how to add services to your favorites for faster access. This knowledge will make managing your AWS resources more efficient and streamlined.