Curriculum Overview: AWS Storage Services

This curriculum provides a comprehensive deep dive into the AWS Storage ecosystem, a core component of the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam. Students will explore object, block, and file storage solutions, along with hybrid cloud integration and data protection strategies.

Prerequisites

Before starting this module, students should have a baseline understanding of the following:

• Cloud Computing Basics: Understanding of the AWS Global Infrastructure (Regions and Availability Zones).
• The Shared Responsibility Model: Knowing which aspects of storage security are managed by AWS versus the customer.
• Basic Compute Knowledge: Familiarity with Amazon EC2 instances and how they require storage to function.

Module Breakdown

Learning Objectives per Module

Module 1: Object Storage (S3 & Glacier)

• Differentiate between Buckets (containers) and Objects (files).
• Analyze S3 storage classes for cost-optimization (Standard, Intelligent-Tiering, Glacier).
• Understand S3's 11 nines (99.999999999%) of durability.

Module 2: Block & File Storage

• Identify use cases for Amazon EBS as persistent block storage for EC2.
• Compare Amazon EFS (Linux-based network file system) with Amazon FSx (Windows or specialized file systems).
• Understand the difference between instance store (ephemeral) and EBS (persistent).

Module 3: Hybrid & Migration

• Evaluate the AWS Snow Family (Snowcone, Snowball, Snowmobile) for massive physical data transfer.
• Configure AWS Storage Gateway types: File, Volume, and Tape gateways for hybrid environments.

Module 4: Data Protection

• Implement centralized backup policies using AWS Backup.
• Explain the concepts of Failing Over and Failing Back using AWS Elastic Disaster Recovery.

Visual Anchors

Storage Classification Mind Map

S3 Retrieval Latency Comparison

Success Metrics

To demonstrate mastery of this curriculum, students must be able to:

1. Select the Correct Service: Given a business scenario (e.g., "need a shared file system for 100 Linux instances"), identify the appropriate service (EFS).
2. Calculate Durability: Explain how AWS achieves 11 nines of durability through redundant storage across multiple devices and facilities.
3. Optimize Costs: Match data access patterns to S3 storage classes to minimize monthly spend.
4. Describe Disaster Recovery: Define the process of creating "drill instances" in AWS Elastic Disaster Recovery to test a DR plan without actual failure.

Real-World Application

[!IMPORTANT] Storage choice is often the largest factor in an AWS bill. Mastering these services allows an architect to build systems that are both resilient and fiscally responsible.

• Static Website Hosting: Using S3 to host high-performance, low-cost websites without managing servers.
• Media Archiving: Transitioning 10-year-old video footage to S3 Glacier Deep Archive for sub-cent per GB storage.
• Legacy Integration: Using AWS Storage Gateway to allow a local office server to treat cloud storage as a local network drive.
• Big Data Migration: Requesting an AWS Snowball device to move 80TB of data when the office internet connection is too slow for a network upload.

Estimated Timeline