Chapter 3 of 4 · AWS SAA-C03
Design High Performing Architectures
Storage, compute, databases, global and hybrid networking, plus data ingestion, transformation and analytics.
- 7topics
- 34 minfast track
- 3diagrams and exhibits
- 24%of the exam
Topics in this chapter
Take them in order, or jump to the one you need.
- 1High Performing Storage SolutionsChoose block, file and object storage on AWS for performance, comparing EBS volume types, instance store, EFS, FSx and S3…5 min
- 2Elastic Compute OptionsSelect EC2 instance families, placement groups, Graviton, Lambda and container platforms for performance, and match each compute…5 min
- 3High Performing Database SolutionsSelect an AWS database for performance and scale: RDS, Aurora, DynamoDB, ElastiCache, Redshift and purpose built engines, plus…5 min
- 4Global Delivery and Edge NetworkingSpeed up global applications with CloudFront, Global Accelerator, Route 53 routing policies and edge functions, and learn which…Diagram5 min
- 5VPC and Hybrid ConnectivityConnect VPCs and data centers with peering, Transit Gateway, PrivateLink, Site to Site VPN and Direct Connect, and pick the right…Diagram5 min
- 6Data Ingestion and TransferChoose how to bring data into AWS: Kinesis Data Streams, Firehose, MSK, DataSync, Snow Family, Transfer Family, Storage Gateway…5 min
- 7Data Transformation and AnalyticsTransform and analyze data on AWS with Glue, Athena, EMR, Redshift, Lake Formation, QuickSight, OpenSearch Service and Managed…4 min
About this chapter
What this chapter covers
A high performing design uses the right building block for each job and lets it scale. The exam describes a workload and asks which storage, compute, database, network or data service meets its performance needs best.
The chapter follows five outline topics. They are storage, compute, databases, network architecture, and data ingestion with transformation. Each topic is broad, so the chapter spreads them across seven pages.
How the topics fit together
Performance is decided at every layer, and the weakest layer sets the limit.
- Storage choices set IOPS, throughput and sharing across servers.
- Compute choices set CPU, memory, latency and elasticity.
- Databases are matched to the access pattern, with replicas and caches for scale.
- Networking brings content close to users and connects VPCs and data centers.
- Data services move data in, reshape it and make it ready for queries.
Read the requirement words closely. "Lowest latency", "shared", "serverless", "near real time" and "static IP" each point to one specific service in this chapter.
How to use these pages
Each topic page has the same shape, so you can skim for what you need.
- What it is: the idea in plain words.
- How it works: the mechanism, with diagrams and examples.
- What to remember for the exam: the facts to memorise.
- Common mistakes: the classic traps.
- Check yourself: three questions to test your understanding.
This chapter is full of comparisons, so build your own comparison table as you read and fill in the trigger words for each service.
Ready for more practice?
The full AWS SAA-C03 question bank has 823 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.
This study guide is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by AWS. Vendor names, certification names and exam codes are trademarks of their respective owners and are used for identification only.