Chapter 3

Introducing the AWS Management Console

In This Chapter

arrow Understanding the role of the AWS Management Console

arrow Creating an AWS account

arrow Seeing how the Management Console is organized

arrow Using the Management Console for the first time

Okay, so you’re ready to start working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and cloud computing. But how? Well, it turns out that the services part of Amazon Web Services refers to the fact that all interaction with Amazon’s cloud computing service is performed with the help of numerous Application Programming Interface (API) calls over the Internet. These calls are accomplished by either SOAP or REST interfaces carrying data in XML or JSON formats.

Whew! Sounds complicated.

Never fear. Amazon offers its own, web-based interface to enable users to work with AWS. This interface, the AWS Management Console, hides all the complex details of interacting with the AWS API. You interact with the console, and Amazon’s program deals with all the complexity under the hood.

In fact, many people never interact with AWS except through the Console — it’s that powerful. ...

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