Amazon Web Services & Global infrastructure

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a powerful cloud computing platform designed to help businesses scale efficiently. It offers a variety of services, including computing power, database storage, and content delivery, enabling organizations to build robust applications with enhanced flexibility and reliability.

AWS Overview

AWS, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, delivers on-demand cloud solutions to individuals, businesses, and governments. With a subscription-based model, users can access a free-tier option for 12 months. Officially launched on March 14, 2006, AWS introduced its services with Amazon S3, Simple Queue Service (SQS), and Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). Today, AWS boasts more than 70 services spanning computing, storage, networking, analytics, application management, mobile development, and IoT integration. Among the most widely used offerings are Amazon EC2 and Amazon S3.

AWS Global Infrastructure

AWS operates a vast cloud infrastructure with 114 Availability Zones across 36 regions worldwide (as of May 2025).

• Regions: AWS regions are clusters of availability zones located in proximity. Each region serves as an independent geographical area.

• Availability Zones: These are the physical data centers where AWS resources, such as computing power and storage, reside. A single availability zone corresponds to one data center, with each region comprising a minimum of two availability zones.

• Edge Locations: These serve as content delivery network (CDN) endpoints, strategically positioned in major cities worldwide. They support Amazon CloudFront, ensuring efficient content distribution with minimal latency.

Amazon CloudFront

Amazon CloudFront is an innovative web service that enables businesses and developers to distribute content effectively. By leveraging a global network of edge locations, it enhances performance, reduces latency, and ensures high-speed data transfer for end users.

AWS Free Tier and Support Plans:

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most widely used cloud platforms, offering a range of services for startups, enterprises, and developers. Whether you're new to AWS or an experienced user, understanding its Free Tier and available Support Plans can help you optimize costs and ensure a smooth cloud experience.

AWS Free Tier: What You Get for Free

AWS Free Tier is designed for users who want to experiment with AWS services before committing to paid options. It includes three types of free offerings:

1. 12-Month Free Tier

New AWS customers receive free access to selected services for their first 12 months. Some of the key offerings include:

• EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud): 750 hours per month of t2.micro or t3.micro instances.

• S3 (Simple Storage Service): Up to 5GB of standard storage.

• RDS (Relational Database Service): Up to 750 hours of usage for certain database engines.

• Lambda: 1 million free requests per month.

• DynamoDB: 25GB of storage with 25 read/write capacity units.

2. Always-Free Services

Certain AWS services remain free beyond the initial 12 months. Examples include:

• AWS Lambda: 1 million requests per month.

• Amazon DynamoDB: Free-tier usage of up to 25GB.

• AWS SNS (Simple Notification Service): Up to 1 million free requests.

3. Short-Term Free Trials

AWS also provides short-term free trials on selected services. These trials vary in duration (typically 30–60 days) and allow users to test services before subscribing.

For full details, visit the official AWS Free Tier page.

AWS Support Plans: Choosing the Right Plan

AWS offers several Support Plans based on the level of assistance required. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Basic Support (Free)

• Available to all AWS users at no cost.

• Includes AWS Health Dashboard, access to AWS documentation, whitepapers, and forums.

• Provides Trusted Advisor (core checks only).

2. Developer Support ($29/month)

Ideal for individual developers working on non-critical applications.

• Email access to AWS support during business hours.

• General guidance on best practices.

• Faster case response times compared to Basic Support.

3. Business Support (Starting at $100/month)

Designed for production workloads and business environments.

• 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email.

• AWS Trusted Advisor (full suite of checks).

• Best practice guidance and faster issue resolution.

• Support for third-party software running on AWS.

4. Enterprise On-Ramp Support

A mid-tier option designed for businesses transitioning to AWS.

• Proactive guidance on scaling and operational efficiency.

• Infrastructure event management available.

• 15-minute response time for critical issues.

5. Enterprise Support (Premium Level)

Recommended for mission-critical workloads.

• Technical Account Manager (TAM) assigned to your account.

• 15-minute response time for urgent issues.

• Cost optimization and architecture reviews.

• Operational & strategic guidance from AWS experts.

For a detailed comparison, visit AWS Support Plans.

Which AWS Support Plan Should You Choose?

Selecting the right AWS Support Plan depends on your business requirements:

• If you're a beginner or working on personal projects, stick with Basic or Developer Support.

• If you're managing business applications, consider Business Support for 24/7 assistance.

• Enterprise and Enterprise On-Ramp Support are best suited for large-scale deployments needing proactive guidance.