Top AWS DevOps Interview Questions (2024) | CodeUsingJava
















Most frequently asked AWS DevOps Interview Questions


  1. Describe your experience with the AWS architecture.
  2. What techniques do you use to ensure the security of your applications on AWS?
  3. Explain the concept of auto-scaling in AWS.
  4. How would you set up a continuous deployment pipeline with AWS?
  5. What considerations should be taken into account when architecting an AWS system?
  6. What tools do you use to monitor and debug AWS-based applications?
  7. How do you automate common tasks with AWS?
  8. Explain how to Rebuild/Restore an environment on AWS?
  9. Describe the process of migration to AWS?
  10. How do you ensure availability and high performance using AWS?
  11. What advantages does the AWS offering have over other cloud providers?
  12. What challenges have you experienced when working on AWS?


Describe your experience with the AWS architecture.

My experience with the AWS architecture has been mostly positive. I have found that it is highly reliable and secure, making it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes. It is built on the cloud, meaning it is flexible and can be modified to fit any need. The services are extensive and I have been able to take advantage of them to help my projects become successful. With the various tools that AWS provides, I have been able to create applications quickly and efficiently. The ability to scale up or down resources without compromising performance is also a great feature. Additionally, the flexibility that AWS offers makes it easier for me to integrate with other technologies in order to build more powerful solutions. Overall, I believe that AWS is a great architecture for businesses to use in order to stay competitive in the current market.

What techniques do you use to ensure the security of your applications on AWS?

To ensure the security of my applications on AWS, I use a variety of techniques. One of the most important is using encryption and secure connection protocols such as SSL and TLS. This ensures that all data in transit is encrypted and can only be accessed by authorized users. I also use access control tools such as identity and access management (IAM) to manage user permissions and prevent unauthorized access to resources. Additionally, I use network security tools such as firewalls and security groups to restrict access to the application. Finally, I use logging and monitoring services to track changes made to the application and detect any suspicious activity. To give an example, here is some code that uses AWS Security Token Service (STS) to create secure connections:
import boto3 

sts = boto3.client('sts') 
response = sts.assume_role(RoleArn='arn:aws:iam::YOUR-ACCOUNT-ID:role/SecurityToken', 
    RoleSessionName='security_token') 
session = boto3.Session(
    aws_access_key_id=response['Credentials']['AccessKeyId'],
    aws_secret_access_key=response['Credentials']['SecretAccessKey'],
    aws_session_token=response['Credentials']['SessionToken'])


Explain the concept of auto-scaling in AWS.

Auto-scaling is a feature available on Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows users to automatically scale their computing capacity up or down based on certain predetermined conditions. This feature enables users to maintain optimal application performance and cost efficiency by adjusting the amount of computing resources needed for a given workload.
Auto-scaling works by monitoring specific metrics, such as CPU usage, memory usage, network traffic, etc. After setting a particular threshold value for each metric, users can request a scaling action when the metrics surpass the threshold. For instance, when memory usage reaches a certain limit, auto-scaling can create additional virtual machines to help ensure the required computing power is available at all times.
Auto-scaling can also help applications respond quickly to unexpected spikes in demand. By automatically provisioning extra computing resources when necessary, auto-scaling can help prevent your application from crashing due to an unexpected surge in traffic.
Auto-scaling can be configured via the AWS Management Console or through a scripting language such as Python or Bash. A typical auto-scaling configuration involves specifying a minimum and maximum server count, the metrics to monitor, and the actions taken when the metrics exceed the set thresholds. The following snippet illustrates how to set up auto-scaling in AWS using the Python API:
from boto3 import client

as_client = client('autoscaling')
as_client.create_auto_scaling_group(
    AutoScalingGroupName='my-as-group',
    MinSize=1,
    MaxSize=5,
    DesiredCapacity=2
)
In this example, the auto-scaling group is named my-as-group, with a minimum of 1 and maximum of 5 servers. The desired capacity is set to 2. The auto-scaling group will create or terminate servers depending on the metrics specified when configuring the group.
Auto-scaling can help users optimize their applications' performance while reducing costs as they no longer need to manually provision computing resources. With the ability to configure and monitor auto-scaling groups, users can easily adjust the number of computing resources available at any given time to best serve their users' needs.

How would you set up a continuous deployment pipeline with AWS?

Setting up a continuous deployment pipeline with AWS involves several steps. First, you will need to create an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instance. This instance will host your applications and services. Once the EC2 instance is created, you will need to configure it to allow for secure access to the application and services running on it. This can be done through setting up Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles and policies.
Next, you will need to configure two S3 buckets. One bucket will store the source code for your application or service and the second bucket will store the compiled code (or artifacts). You will also need to create a deployment role in IAM that allows access to the two S3 buckets.
Once the IAM roles, policies and S3 buckets are configured, you will need to create a build server on the EC2 instance. You can use a tool such as Jenkins to create this. Once the build server is created, you will need to set up a CI/CD pipeline. In the pipeline, you will need to define the steps required to compile and deploy the source code from the source code S3 bucket to the artifacts S3 bucket.
Finally, you will need to set up the deployment scripts/commands in Jenkins. You can use shell scripts, Python or other programming languages to define the commands or instructions used to deploy your application/service from the artifacts S3 bucket to the EC2 instance. Below is a sample Python deployment script that can be used for this purpose:
import boto3

# Create an S3 client
s3 = boto3.client('s3')

# Download the file from the source S3 bucket
s3.download_file('source-bucket', 'source-file.zip', '/opt/source-file.zip')

# Upload the file to the destination S3 bucket
s3.upload_file('/opt/source-file.zip', 'destination-bucket', 'destination-file.zip')

# Execute the deployment commands
subprocess.call(['/usr/local/bin/deployment-command', '/opt/source-file.zip'])
After all of these steps have been completed, your continuous deployment pipeline with AWS should be set up and ready to use


What considerations should be taken into account when architecting an AWS system?

To architect an AWS system, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. First, the system should be designed with scalability, security, and cost efficiency in mind. Additionally, provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting needs to be taken into account. A well-architected system will have all of these components properly configured and integrated, which will ensure more reliable performance and availability of resources.
In order to get the most out of an AWS system, it is essential to have a good understanding of the various services available and their specific use cases. This includes understanding the roles of Compute, Storage, and Networking services, as well as the different components associated with them such as load balancers, auto scaling and containers. Additionally, services such as DevOps, Security, Identity and Access Management, and Application Logging can help an organization build a secure and efficient system.
A code snippet for configuring an Amazon EC2 instance using the AWS CLI might look like this:
$aws ec2 run-instances --image-id ami-0d7890cbfc79a8c72 --count 1 --instance-type t2.micro --security-group-ids sg-1234 --subnet-id subnet-abcd1234
This command will create an Amazon EC2 instance with a t2.micro instance type and attach to it a security group with an ID of sg-1234, and a public subnet with an ID of subnet-abcd1234. The parameter '--image-id' is used to specify the AMI that should be used to launch the instance. Ultimately, architecting an AWS system requires careful consideration of the components mentioned above, as well as the specific requirements of the application or workload that it is being used for. Using the right tools and services, and following best practices, can help an organization create systems that take full advantage of the power of AWS.

What tools do you use to monitor and debug AWS-based applications?

To monitor and debug applications on AWS, there are several tools available to help. The Amazon CloudWatch service allows administrators to access performance metrics, logs and audit trails from various AWS services. It also provides alerting and automation capabilities to streamline system management. Additionally, the AWS X-Ray service helps identify and troubleshoot issues with distributed applications by providing detailed information about requests and responses.
Another helpful tool for monitoring and debugging applications is the AWS System Manager, which offers real-time insights and automated workflows for managing services, applications and infrastructure. With System Manager, administrators can view operational data from across their AWS resources and take action as needed.
A code snippet that can be used to get a list of all running EC2 instances in an account using AWS CLI might look like this:
$aws ec2 describe-instances --query "Reservations[].Instances[?State.Name=='running']"
This command will return a list of all running EC2 instances in an account, including instance ID and type, IP address, and other related information. This can be helpful when attempting to debug or troubleshoot an application on AWS. Overall, monitoring and debugging applications on AWS requires the right tools and services. Tools such as CloudWatch, X-Ray and System Manager can greatly help administrators in optimizing their applications and addressing any potential issues.

How do you automate common tasks with AWS?

Automating common tasks with AWS is an effective way to save time and resources. Many of the services offered by AWS, including Compute, Networking, Security and Storage, have built-in automation capabilities to help optimize the experience and ensure reliable performance. For example, Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling enables administrators to scale out automatically in response to changing user demand or in anticipation of peak periods.
AWS also supports software development tools such as AWS Code Pipeline, Code Deploy and Code Commit to automate the release process for applications. These services enable administrators to push code changes through a single workflow, ensuring consistency and eliminating manual steps. Additionally, AWS CloudFormation allows users to define and provision infrastructure in a repeatable and automated way.
A code snippet that can be used to create an Amazon S3 bucket using AWS CLI might look like this:
$aws s3api create-bucket --bucket my-new-bucket --region us-east-1
This command will create an Amazon S3 bucket in the US East region with the name specified in the command. The bucket can then be used to store application data and any other assets needed. In summary, there are many ways to automate common tasks with AWS. By leveraging the various services and tools offered, administrators can streamline their processes and take advantage of the scalability, security and cost efficiency available on the platform.


Explain how to Rebuild/Restore an environment on AWS?

Rebuilding/Restoring an environment on AWS can be done fairly easily. First, determine which resources need to be rebuilt or restored. You'll then need to create a snapshot of the existing environment if it is not already backed up. Once the snapshot is complete you can use the AWS command line interface (CLI) to create a new instance with the same configuration as the original.
To rebuild the environment you can use this code snippet:
$ aws ec2 run-instances -image-id ami-XXXXXXXXX -count 1 -instance-type t2.micro -key-name keyname -security-groups sg-xxxxxxxxx
Once your instance is created, you can configure and update the instance for its specific purpose. To do this, use Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) to deploy the software components required for the environment. If any databases or data need to be restored, use the AWS Relational Database Service (RDS) to restore the data. Once all the components are deployed, test the environment prior to launch.
To guarantee the environment remains up to date, use AWS CloudWatch alarms to monitor the performance metrics of the environment. Finally, you can use AWS CloudFormation templates to help manage and maintain the environment. With CloudFormation templates you can ensure the desired configuration is in place, automate task execution, and add in custom logic.
This provides a general overview of how to rebuild or restore an environment on AWS. Depending on the specific needs of the environment, the steps may vary.

Describe the process of migration to AWS?

Migrating to AWS is a process of moving existing applications and services to the cloud. This can involve encapsulating existing code into containers, or refactoring an application for deployment on AWS. The migration process starts by deciding which services and applications should be migrated and deciding when the migration should take place.
Once the decision has been made, the next step is to identify which type of architecture to use for the migration. This will depend on the particular needs of the application. Options include using Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), using serverless technologies such as Lambda or using container-based technologies like Docker or Kubernetes.
Next, decide which components of the application will be migrated to the cloud and which will remain on-premise. This should include determining the various steps needed to migrate the application, such as encoding images or data, configuring the network, or setting up authentication.
The final step is to migrate the application by deploying it on AWS. This can involve using tools such as the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) to deploy the application with the necessary configuration settings and parameters. A code snippet of this process could look like this:
$ aws s3 cp /home/data s3://my-bucket/ --recursive --include '*.jpg'
This is a general overview of the process of migrating an application or service to AWS. Depending on the specific needs of the application, the steps may vary.


How do you ensure availability and high performance using AWS?

AWS services can be used to ensure availability and high performance for applications. With Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), users can quickly set up, configure, and scale compute capacity without having to purchase, install, or manage any physical hardware. EC2 instances can also be configured to provide high availability, including setting up multiple Availability Zones within the same region. Additionally, AWS offers various scaling solutions such as Auto Scaling and AWS Lambda, which allow users to easily scale compute resources to meet their specific workload requirements.
For example, AWS Auto Scaling can be used to set up alarms that will automatically start up additional EC2 instances when the load on existing instances exceeds a certain threshold. The Auto Scaling group can then be instructed to terminate additional instances when they are no longer needed. This type of scaling technology can help ensure that applications are able to stay available even during periods of peak demand.
By leveraging the power of AWS, users can quickly deploy high-performance solutions that can scale to meet their needs. Here's a sample code snippet showing how to set up an Auto Scaling group using the AWS CLI:
aws autoscaling create-auto-scaling-group \
--auto-scaling-group-name MyAutoScalingGroup \
--min-size 1 \
--max-size 5 \
--desired-capacity 3 \
--vpc-zone-identifier "subnet-111111 , subnet-222222"


What advantages does the AWS offering have over other cloud providers?

AWS offers a range of advantages over other cloud service providers. One of the biggest benefits of AWS is its scalability, which can be used to match the resources available to applications with their specific needs. AWS provides various scaling solutions, such as Auto Scaling and AWS Lambda, which allow users to quickly and easily accommodate sudden workload increases without having to purchase extra hardware. Additionally, AWS also allows users to easily configure and launch new instances with a few clicks, enabling them to quickly provision resources as needed.
AWS also boasts high levels of reliability and availability, allowing users to host their applications in multiple Availability Zones within the same region. AWS also provides users with the ability to monitor their applications from the AWS Management Console, setting up alarms that can alert users when certain thresholds are exceeded. This way, users can take proactive action to ensure the availability and performance of their applications.
Another benefit of AWS is its cost-effectiveness. AWS offers competitive pricing, allowing users to pay for only the compute and storage resources they use and scaling down as needed. Furthermore, AWS provides users with the ability to quickly spin up development, staging, and production environments, which can save money on the cost of hardware and eliminate the need for manual provisioning.
Here's an example code snippet showing how to set up a deployment pipeline using AWS CodePipeline:
 aws codepipeline create-pipeline --cli-input-json file://pipeline.json


What challenges have you experienced when working on AWS?

Working with AWS can present a variety of challenges. One of the biggest issues is understanding the complexity of the AWS platform and recognizing which services are the best fit for particular applications. There can be a steep learning curve for new users, who may need to understand the technical nuances of the various services in order to make the best use of them.
Another issue with AWS is the cost involved. Although Amazon does offer competitive pricing, it can still be expensive for small businesses and startups. Additionally, many of the services offered by AWS are billed on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning that users could end up paying more in the long run if they don't properly manage their costs.
AWS also often requires users to configure and maintain multiple components such as security groups and roles. This can be time-consuming and difficult to manage, especially for users who don't have expertise in this area. Furthermore, there is also a need to keep track of usage and ensure compliance with service level agreements.
Another challenge with AWS is the complexity of setting up deployments and configuring continuous integration/continuous delivery pipelines. Here's a sample code snippet to help get you started:
aws codepipeline create-pipeline --cli-input-json file://pipeline.json