Authors’ Assumptions

This book is meant to prepare you with the skills and knowledge to pass the AWS ANS-C01 exam. This book is not meant to be a be-all-and-end-all guide to the world of computer networking. The authors will be making some assumptions about the skills you’ll need to be comfortable with before diving into this book.

You should be familiar with the OSI model. The OSI model is the industry standard framework for describing how applications communicate over a network. It is often the first concept taught when conducting network training to those who are brand-new to the field. This book will contain many references to different layers of the OSI model. A brief explanation of the OSI model can be found in Appendix 1, Network Fundamentals.

You should be comfortable with and have knowledge of layer 2 concepts such as MAC addresses and VLANs. While the cloud is often branded as “a world without layer 2” because of the lack of these concepts being present for consumers of AWS VPC, there will still be usage of these concepts. Specifically, when discussing hybrid networking with AWS, layer 2 concepts such as VLANs and MAC addresses play a large role in building connectivity to on-premises.

You should have a general understanding of network appliances and their roles. There are specific appliances that make up the proverbial stool that computer networking sits upon, such as routers, switches, and firewalls. This book will contain many references to these types of appliances and will expect you to have knowledge of what these appliances are used for. A brief explanation of these appliances can be found in Appendix 2, IP Routing Fundamentals.

You should have a general understanding of layer 4 protocols such as TCP and UDP. The flow and behavior of network traffic heavily depend on the transport protocol that is used. While you do not need to be an expert on TCP and UDP, this book will contain references to the general operation of these protocols and the considerations that come with them.