Assignment Task
Learning Outcomes
The Subject Learning Outcomes demonstrated by the successful completion of the task below include:
a) Undertake research to demonstrate an understanding of microservices and how they contribute to business processes
b) Discuss core concepts of microservices architecture within the context of a business case study and summarise the advantages and disadvantages of adopting microservices architecture.
c) Communicate the benefits of microservices architecture to a diverse stakeholder audience by addressing complex business needs and aligning strategies to business priorities defined by changing business requirements
Part A:
Individual Report For the individual component, each student will be assigned a topic from a provided list. They will develop a report independently, following the given instructions.
Part B:
Group Presentation In the group component, students will form groups of four. Each member will bring an individually chosen topic to the group discussion. The group will then deliberate and choose one topic for a class presentation.
Domain 1: Cloud Concepts
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) presents a plethora of advantages, setting it apart from traditional on-demand delivery methods through cloud deployments. AWS explores the pay-as-you-go pricing model, highlighting its usage-based billing approach and the significant implications it carries for cost transparency and control. Discuss AWS Benefits, Deployment Options, and Pricing Models.
2. Cloud computing opens up a world of possibilities with a deep dive into Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) and its profound impact on cloud technology. Going beyond the basics, it delves into advanced functionalities that guarantee high availability and fault tolerance for distributed applications. Discuss the core features of Amazon EC2, highlighting its benefits, instance types, and flexible billing options.
3. The Cloud Journey entails essential cloud architecture principles and the myriad benefits of cloud computing. The AWS Well-Architected Framework delineates six key pillars, offering guidance for constructing and managing efficient cloud infrastructures. Discuss the six pillars of the AWS Well-Architected Framework and how they contribute to the efficacy of cloud architectures
4. Migration and innovation are pivotal aspects of leveraging the AWS Cloud effectively. AWS provides a suite of data migration solutions tailored to various needs, enabling seamless and secure transfer of large datasets to the cloud. These solutions empower organizations to drive digital transformation, enhance agility, and unlock new possibilities for growth and efficiency. Discuss the AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (AWS CAF) to facilitate organizations in their migration and innovation journey on the AWS Cloud platform.
Domain 2: Security and Compliance
5. Security in AWS operates under a shared responsibility model, delineating security duties between AWS and its customers. AWS IAM provides adjustable security levels for resource access control, while security policies establish permissions and restrictions for users and resources. Discuss how comprehending the shared responsibility model in AWS influences your strategy for implementing security measures for your cloud-based applications and data.
6. Monitoring your AWS environment is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and security. Amazon CloudWatch provides comprehensive monitoring and logging capabilities, enabling you to collect and analyze metrics, set alarms, and gain insights into resource utilization. Discuss how leveraging Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudTrail, and AWS Trusted Advisor enhances the monitoring, security, and efficiency of your AWS environment.
7. Networking within AWS involves connecting computing resources, discerning between public and private networking, and ensuring secure connections between on-premises networks and AWS. Discuss how the distinction between public and private networking resources in AWS influences the design and security of your cloud infrastructure. Consider real-world scenarios where this understanding could shape your decision-making process.
8. Understanding the fundamentals of identity and access management (IAM), including the utilization of AWS IAM, is paramount. This entails grasping the significance of safeguarding the AWS root user account and adhering to the principle of least privilege to mitigate security risks. Discuss how you ensure that the implementation of access management principles, such as the principle of least privilege and robust authentication methods like multi-factor authentication (MFA), is effectively integrated into your organization’s AWS environment, and what strategies you can employ to maintain a balance between security and usability.
Domain 3: Cloud Technology and Services
9. The AWS Global Infrastructure offers unparalleled benefits for businesses seeking reliability and scalability. AWS guarantees optimal performance and uptime for applications and services. Discuss the key factors that businesses should consider when selecting a provisioning method within the AWS Global Infrastructure to optimize performance, scalability, and reliability for their applications and services.
10. Storage and Databases in AWS provide a comprehensive suite of services tailored to diverse needs. Amazon EBS delivers scalable block-level storage for EC2 instances, while Amazon S3 offers highly durable object storage. Amazon EFS simplifies file storage with automatic scalability. Discuss how these services streamline data management and improve application performance for your projects.
11. Understanding methods of deploying and operating in the AWS Cloud encompasses various key aspects. This includes knowledge of provisioning options, accessing AWS services through APIs, SDKs, CLI, or the Management Console, and evaluating requirements for one-time operations versus repeatable processes. Discuss how do you navigate the diverse methods of deploying and operating within the AWS Cloud, considering factors such as provisioning options, access methods to AWS services, and the evaluation of operational requirements. Additionally, how you determine the most suitable deployment model and connectivity options to meet the specific needs and security considerations of your organization’s AWS environment.
12. Identifying AWS compute services means understanding EC2 instance types, container options like ECS and EKS, serverless options such as Fargate and Lambda, auto scaling for elasticity, and load balancers for efficient traffic distribution in AWS environments. Discuss how you navigate the diverse range of AWS compute services, considering factors like EC2 instance types, container options, serverless compute choices, auto scaling, and load balancers, to optimize resource allocation and enhance performance within your AWS environment.
13. Identifying AWS network services involves understanding VPC components, security features, services like Amazon Route 53, edge services such as CloudFront and Global Accelerator, and network connectivity options like AWS VPN and Direct Connect. Discuss how you navigate the range of AWS network services, including VPC components, security measures, edge services, and connectivity options, to ensure efficient and secure networking within your AWS environment.
14. Identifying AWS storage services involves recognizing diverse options like object storage, Amazon S3 storage classes, block storage solutions such as Amazon EBS, file services like Amazon EFS and FSx, and cached file systems like AWS Storage Gateway. Discuss how you effectively navigate the range of AWS storage services and how you leverage features like Amazon S3 storage classes, lifecycle policies, and AWS Backup to optimize cost, performance, and data protection strategies within your storage infrastructure.
15. Identifying AWS AI/ML and analytics services involves understanding offerings like Amazon SageMaker, Amazon Lex, Amazon Kendra for AI/ML tasks, and services like Amazon Athena, Amazon Kinesis, AWS Glue, and Amazon QuickSight for data analytics. Discuss how you effectively leverage AWS artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) services such as Amazon SageMaker and Amazon Lex, alongside analytics services to derive actionable insights and drive innovation within your organization’s AWS environment.
16. Identifying AWS services encompasses categories like application integration, business applications, developer tools, and IoT services. This includes tools such as Amazon EventBridge, Amazon Connect, AWS CodePipeline, and AWS IoT Core, each serving specific business needs efficiently. Discuss how you effectively assess and select AWS services across different categories like application integration, business applications, developer tools, and IoT services to meet specific business requirements and optimize operational efficiency within your organization’s AWS environment.
Domain 4: Billing, Pricing, and Support
17. AWS Cost Explorer provides comprehensive cost analysis and visualization tools for better understanding and managing AWS spending. The AWS Pricing Calculator offers a tool for estimating the cost of AWS services based on usage and configurations. Discuss the resources and tools that AWS offers to help users optimize cloud spending and manage their AWS services effectively.
18. Comparing AWS pricing models involves understanding compute purchasing options like OnDemand Instances, Reserved Instances, Spot Instances, and Savings Plans. It also requires familiarity with data transfer charges and various storage options and tiers. Discuss how you effectively navigate and compare the various AWS pricing models, including compute purchasing options, data transfer charges, and storage tiers, to optimize cost efficiency and resource utilization within your organization’s AWS environment.
19. Understanding billing, budget, and cost management in AWS involves knowing billing support, pricing information, AWS Organizations, and cost allocation tags. Proficiency in tools like AWS Budgets, Cost Explorer, and Billing Conductor aids in budgeting and tracking costs, while the Pricing Calculator helps estimate service costs accurately. Discuss how you effectively utilize AWS billing, budgeting, and cost management resources to optimize spending and track costs within your organization’s AWS environment. Additionally, how you leverage tools like the AWS Pricing Calculator and cost allocation tags to estimate expenses accurately and allocate costs efficiently across different accounts.
20. Identifying AWS technical resources and support options involves understanding documentation, support plans, and the AWS Partner Network. This includes accessing resources like whitepapers and blogs, as well as support options such as customer service channels and AWS Partners. Proficiency in tools like Trusted Advisor and the AWS Health Dashboard aids in monitoring for optimal performance. Discuss how you effectively navigate the array of AWS technical resources and support options to ensure efficient resolution of technical issues and optimal management of your organization’s AWS environment.
Instructions
1. Carefully read the selected topic to understand the concepts being discussed in the subject.
2. Develop your individual report based on the instruction.
3. Collaborate within your group from the beginning of the course to avoid taking the risk of last-minute issues. All group members are expected to participate in the group activities, according to the group charter
4. Each group will present their findings and results to the class within 5-10 minutes timeframe on or before due date. Each presentation will be marked based on marking criteria specified in the attached rubric.
5. Please read the rubric carefully prior to developing your presentation and report
Instructions for Part B: Group Presentation
In the group component, students will form groups of four, each selecting a topic for discussion. Together, you will choose one topic for a class presentation, which contributes 25% to the overall grade. This assessment aims to foster both individual and collaborative skills, improving presentation and discussion abilities while justifying topic choices within the subject context.
PowerPoint slides for the presentation should include the following structure:
Slide 1: Title-page slide featuring the chosen presentation topic from the provided domains (Domain
1: Cloud Concepts, Domain
2: Security and Compliance, Domain
3: Cloud Technology and Services, Domain
4: Billing, Pricing, and Support), subject code, subject name, group members’ names and numbers, and the facilitator’s name.
Slide 2: Explain how the group collectively decided on the presentation topic, stressing the importance of selecting a domain relevant to the subject matter.
Slide 3: Introduce the chosen topic within the selected domain, providing context and key concepts to be addressed, and outlining what the audience can expect in the presentation.
Slide 4: Present the body of the report, giving an overview of significant issues or concepts, and summarising any findings or recommendations made.
Slide 5: Conclude by summarising the main points covered in the presentation and preparing questions for discussion during the class session.