This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Yash Sonawane
“Ever walked into an AWS interview and felt like you were speaking a different language? Let’s fix that.”
Whether you’re preparing for your first cloud job or trying to land that next-level DevOps role, AWS interviews can feel intimidating. But they don’t have to be.
In this series, I’ll break down the most common AWS interview questions with simple, beginner-friendly answers, using real-world analogies and explanations that stick.
Who’s This For?
- Self-taught devs or bootcamp grads
- Career switchers aiming for cloud roles
- Anyone who wants AWS clarity without the jargon
Let’s dive into Round 1 of the AWS Interview Series. 
Q1: What is AWS?
Answer:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is like a giant online toolbox for developers. Instead of buying servers, storage, and networking hardware, you rent them from AWS on demand.
Analogy: Think of AWS like Netflix for IT infrastructure. You don’t own the DVDs (hardware), but you can stream (use) anything you need, anytime.
Q2: What is EC2?
Answer:
EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) lets you run virtual machines (called instances) in the cloud. You can install OS, software, and run code like it’s a normal computer.
Analogy: Imagine EC2 as renting a computer in the cloud that you can turn on, off, and pay for only when you use it.
Q3: Difference between S3, EBS, and EFS?
Answer:
- S3: Store files (images, videos, backups) like Google Drive
- EBS: Hard drive for your EC2 instance
- EFS: Shared folder across multiple EC2s (like a network drive)
Analogy:
- S3 = Locker
- EBS = Laptop’s SSD
- EFS = Shared office folder
Q4: What is IAM?
Answer:
IAM (Identity and Access Management) is AWS’s way of managing “who can do what” in your AWS account.
Analogy: Think of it like door keys and roles in an office building — some people can enter the lobby, some can access the server room.
Q5: What is a VPC?
Answer:
A Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is your private network inside AWS. You control IP addresses, subnets, gateways, and security settings.
Analogy: Like setting up a secure Wi-Fi network for your cloud servers.
Q6: What is a Load Balancer?
Answer:
It distributes incoming traffic across multiple servers so no single server gets overwhelmed.
Analogy: Like a restaurant host assigning customers to different tables to avoid crowding.
Q7: What are IAM Policies?
Answer:
Policies are JSON documents that define permissions. They control what actions a user or role can perform.
Example:
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": "s3:PutObject",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*"
}
This lets the user upload files to a specific S3 bucket.
Q8: Difference between CloudFormation and Terraform?
Answer:
- CloudFormation is AWS’s built-in Infrastructure-as-Code tool
- Terraform is open-source and supports multiple clouds
Analogy: CloudFormation is like using an Apple-only charger. Terraform is the universal charger that works with everything.
Q9: What is CloudWatch vs CloudTrail?
- CloudWatch: Monitor performance and set alarms
- CloudTrail: Audit who did what and when (like activity logs)
Analogy:
- CloudWatch = Health tracker for your AWS resources
- CloudTrail = Security camera footage of user actions
Q10: What’s the Shared Responsibility Model?
Answer:
AWS secures the cloud (hardware, infra), while you secure what you put in it (apps, data, configs).
Example: AWS locks the data center. You have to set the correct S3 bucket permissions.
Final Thoughts + CTA
These questions aren’t just for interviews — they’re the core building blocks of AWS.
Save this blog as a reference.
Practice explaining each concept in your own words.
Want more rounds (incl. scenario-based Qs)? Drop a comment!
Which question was most helpful to you?
Like, Comment, and 
Share with your study group or dev buddy.
Let’s ace AWS interviews together!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Yash Sonawane