What is AWS and How Does It Work?

AWS services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud platform that helps individuals, companies, and governments build and manage their digital services without needing to own physical servers. Launched by Amazon in 2006, AWS has grown into one of the largest cloud computing platforms in the world. It provides a wide range of tools to help you store data, run applications, and keep your systems secure—all over the internet.

Why Use AWS?

Before services like AWS existed, companies had to buy and maintain their own servers. This required large upfront investments and ongoing maintenance. With AWS, you rent the computing power and tools you need, when you need them. You can increase or reduce usage based on your needs, which saves both time and cost.

Businesses of all sizes—from startups to large enterprises—use AWS for many reasons, including website hosting, mobile app development, data storage, machine learning, and more. AWS operates, you only pay for what you use.

Key Features of AWS

Here are some common services AWS provides:

• EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud): This lets you run virtual servers in the cloud. You can choose the size and power of the server you need.

• S3 (Simple Storage Service): A place to store and access your data—such as files, images, and backups—from anywhere.

• RDS (Relational Database Service): Lets you use and manage databases like MySQL and PostgreSQL without handling the backend setup yourself.

• Lambda: Runs your code automatically when certain events happen, without needing a full-time server running.

• IAM (Identity and Access Management): Helps you control who has access to your AWS resources.

These are just a few examples—AWS offers over 200 services, each built to solve specific needs in computing, storage, networking, and analytics.

How AWS Works

AWS is based on a global network of data centres located in different parts of the world. These are grouped into “regions” and “availability zones.” When you set up a service on AWS, you can choose which region to use, based on where your users are or your own business location.

For example, if you're planning to build a website:

• You can create a virtual computer using Amazon EC2 to run your website’s content.

• Use Amazon S3 to keep files, images, or backups safely in the cloud.

• Store user or product data in a database with Amazon RDS, without managing the technical setup yourself.

• Set permissions using AWS IAM to control who can access what in your cloud setup.

Each part plays a role in making your website fast, secure, and always available—without needing any on-site hardware.

Final Thoughts

AWS makes it easier for businesses to build and run their digital tools without owning expensive equipment. It offers flexibility, speed, and reliability. Whether you're a developer building an app or a company moving to the cloud, AWS provides the tools to get started quickly and scale when needed.

If you're exploring AWS for your business, Goognu offers expert support to help you get started and make the most of your cloud setup.