Curriculum Overview: Navigating the AWS Cloud Migration Journey
Resources to support the cloud migration journey
Curriculum Overview: Navigating the AWS Cloud Migration Journey
Moving to the cloud from traditional on-premises environments is a transformative process. This curriculum provides a roadmap for leveraging the AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF), specialized migration tools, and the vast ecosystem of AWS support to ensure a successful transition.
Prerequisites
Before engaging with this curriculum, learners should possess:
- Fundamental Cloud Literacy: Understanding the difference between on-premises CAPEX (Fixed Costs) and Cloud OPEX (Variable Costs).
- Basic AWS Knowledge: Familiarity with the AWS Global Infrastructure and account creation.
- Conceptual Awareness: Understanding of "Rightsizing" and the economies of scale provided by cloud providers.
Module Breakdown
| Module | Topic | Difficulty | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The AWS Cloud Adoption Framework | Intermediate | The 6 Perspectives & Business Value |
| 2 | Migration Phases | Intermediate | Align, Launch, and Scale cycles |
| 3 | Technical Migration Tools | Advanced | AWS DMS, Snowball, and Data Transfer |
| 4 | AWS Support Ecosystem | Beginner | Support Plans, Trusted Advisor, and re:Post |
| 5 | Professional Services & Partners | Intermediate | AWS Marketplace, APN, and Specialized Guidance |
Module Objectives per Module
Module 1: The AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF)
- Objective: Understand how the CAF reduces business risk and improves ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance.
- Key Concept: Evaluate the six foundational capabilities to identify cross-organizational dependencies.
Module 2: The Migration Lifecycle
- Objective: Master the three-phase iterative cycle of migration.
- Diagram: The Migration Cycle
Module 3: Technical Resources & Tools
- Objective: Identify appropriate tools for specific data types.
- Term: AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) — A service that helps move databases to AWS quickly and securely while the source database remains functional. Example: Migrating an on-premises Oracle DB to Amazon RDS.
Module 4: Support & Monitoring
- Objective: Compare AWS Support Plans (Basic, Developer, Business, Enterprise On-Ramp, and Enterprise).
- Visual: Support Plan Tiers
Success Metrics
To demonstrate mastery of this curriculum, learners must be able to:
- Select a Migration Strategy: Choose between tools like Snowball (physical transport) and DMS (network replication) based on data volume.
- Navigate Documentation: Use
docs.aws.amazon.comto find specific service limits and API references. - Cost Optimization: Use the AWS Pricing Calculator to forecast migration costs.
- Identify Support Channels: Know when to use AWS re:Post for community help vs. opening a high-severity ticket with the Enterprise Support team.
Real-World Application
[!IMPORTANT] Migration is not just a technical shift; it is a business transformation.
- Business Transformation: Using the "Align" phase to identify how moving to the cloud enables new AI-driven product lines.
- Operational Efficiency: Moving from manual server patching to automated managed services like RDS.
- Risk Mitigation: Utilizing AWS Trusted Advisor to identify security gaps and cost-saving opportunities during the "Scale" phase.
Examples Section
Case Study: The "Launch" Phase Pilot
An e-commerce company wants to move its legacy storefront to AWS. Instead of moving everything at once, they perform a Pilot (Launch Phase) by moving only their "Recommendation Engine." They learn about latency issues in the pilot, resolve them, and then use those lessons to migrate the main checkout system in the "Scale" phase.
Example: Reporting Abuse
If an administrator discovers that an AWS resource is being used to send spam emails, they utilize the AWS Trust & Safety team via the report abuse page (repost.aws/knowledge-center/report-aws-abuse) to protect the ecosystem.
Example: Professional Services
A large enterprise uses AWS Professional Services to create a custom "Cloud Center of Excellence" (CCoE), using specialized whitepapers and guidance from the AWS Partner Network (APN) to train their staff during the transition.