AWS Networking – Quick Projects Ideas

Here are 5 quick cloud networking projects using AWS services, designed to give you some hands-on experience with different concepts:

Project 1: Hybrid Cloud Connectivity

Requirement: Establish secure communication between an on-premises data center and an AWS VPC.
Summary: Connect your existing infrastructure with AWS to leverage cloud resources while maintaining control over sensitive data or systems.
Required Services:
- AWS VPN (Site-to-Site or AWS Client VPN)
- AWS Direct Connect (for dedicated, high-bandwidth connections)
- VPC configuration

Step-by-Step Workflow:

Set up AWS VPC: Create a VPC with appropriate subnets and security groups.
Configure on-premises network: Determine connectivity method (VPN or Direct Connect) and set up compatible devices on your local network.
Establish Connection:
- VPN: Create a VPN connection in AWS, configure the customer gateway on your side.
- Direct Connect: Order a Direct Connect circuit, link it to your VPC.
Routing: Configure routing tables on both sides to direct traffic.
Test and Monitor: Verify connectivity and monitor performance.

Requirement: Host a static website with high availability and low latency for users worldwide.
Summary: Leverages serverless architecture for scalability and cost efficiency and uses content delivery network for better performance.
Required Services:
- Amazon S3
- Amazon CloudFront
- Amazon Route 53 (for optional custom domain)

Step-by-Step Workflow:

Create S3 Bucket: Make the bucket public for website hosting.
Upload Website Files: Upload HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and images.
CloudFront Distribution: Link the S3 bucket as origin, configure edge locations.
(Optional) Route 53: Create a DNS record pointing your custom domain to the CloudFront distribution.
Access Your Website: Use the CloudFront URL (or your custom domain).

Requirement: Protect web applications against common attacks (SQL injection, XSS, etc.).
Summary: Use a pre-configured firewall service to filter traffic effectively.
Required Services:
- AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall)
- An existing web application on an EC2 instance, Application Load Balancer, or API Gateway

Step-by-Step Workflow:

Create WAF Web ACL: Define rules (managed or custom) to block malicious traffic.
Associate with Resources: Attach Web ACL to EC2, ALB, or API Gateway.
Monitor and Refine: View WAF logs, adjust rules as needed.

Requirement: Enable communication between resources in different VPCs (within the same or different AWS accounts).
Summary: Connect VPCs without traffic going over the public internet.
Required Services:
- VPCs to be peered
Step-by-Step Workflow:

Create Peering Connection: Establish the peering relationship specifying the requester and accepter VPCs.
Update Route Tables: Add routes in both VPC route tables to direct traffic.
Adjust Security Groups: If required, allow traffic on relevant ports between VPCs.

Requirement: Gain visibility into network flow patterns, traffic volume, and potential issues.
Summary: Capture log data about IP traffic within your VPC.
Required Services:
- VPC
- Amazon S3 (to store logs)
- Potentially Amazon Athena or other analysis tools

Step-by-Step Workflow

Enable VPC Flow Logs: Create a flow log configuration capturing desired information.
Store Logs: Designate an S3 bucket for storage.
Analyze: Use Athena, QuickSight, or other tools to query and visualize log data.

Hope you find this post helpful.

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