AWS Job Assessment Q/A (Part 3)

Welcome back to our essential AWS Job Assessment Q&A series!

Continuing from our previous post, where we shared the first and second sets of essential AWS interview questions and answers, here are more critical questions to aid your preparation further.

Be sure to check out Part 1: Click Here and Part 2: Click Here of our AWS Interview Preparation series for a comprehensive start.

Q21: What is a URL containing a “?” followed by a key-value pair called?

1. JSON
2. String
3. Parameters
4. Query String

Correct Option: 4

Reason for each option:

• JSON: Incorrect

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that is used to transmit data between a server and a web application. It is not used in the URL structure to pass key-value pairs. JSON is typically used in the body of HTTP requests and responses, not in the URL.

• String: Incorrect

While a query string is a type of string, the term “string” is too generic and does not specifically refer to the part of a URL that contains key-value pairs. “String” refers to any sequence of characters, not specifically to the format used in URLs to pass parameters.

• Parameters: Incorrect

Parameters refer to the key-value pairs themselves, but the term does not describe the whole section of the URL. Parameters are the actual data being passed in the query string, but the correct term for the part of the URL that contains them is “query string.”

• Query String: Correct

The term “query string” accurately describes the part of the URL that contains key-value pairs following a “?”. This section is used to pass parameters to the server in a standardized format. The query string is specifically designed for this purpose in URL structures.

Q22: Why does the cloud configure networks easily during migration from data centers?

1. Similar global internet standards.
2. Networking constructs and standards adoption is equal for all cloud providers.
3. All networking devices export and reuse the standard configurations available in the networking devices.
4. Neither of the stated options.

Correct Option: 2

Reason for each option:

• Similar global internet standards: Correct

Cloud providers adhere to global internet standards such as IP addressing, DNS, and TCP/IP protocols. These standards ensure compatibility and interoperability, making it easier to configure networks during migration from data centers to the cloud. The consistency of these standards across different environments facilitates smoother transitions and integrations.

• Networking constructs and standards adoption is equal for all cloud providers: Incorrect

While cloud providers adopt similar networking constructs and standards, there are variations in implementation and specific services provided by each cloud provider. This can result in differences in network configuration processes, which can introduce complexity rather than simplicity during migration.

• All networking devices export and reuse the standard configurations available in the networking devices: Incorrect

Not all networking devices are capable of exporting and reusing configurations in a way that ensures seamless migration. This statement is too broad and does not accurately reflect the challenges of network configuration during migration.

• Neither of the stated options: incorrect

The statement “Similar global internet standards” accurately describes why cloud network configuration can be easier during migration, so this option is not correct.

Q23: What is a Blue-Green deployment model?

1. A deployment instance has two identical processes at the same time when only one instance is live and serving users while the other is idle.
2. Comparing two versions of an application to determine which performs better.
3. A deployment that makes changes to the stack takes the resources out of the stack, integrates new changes, and brings them back.
4. A deployment system that rolls out new releases to a subset of systems.

Correct Option: 1

Read More at Blue-Green Deployment AWS Overview

Reason for each option:

• A deployment instance having two identical processes at the same time when only one instance is live and serving users while the other is idle: Correct 

The Blue-Green deployment model involves having two identical environments: one (blue) is live and serving all production traffic, while the other (green) is idle. When deploying a new version of the application, it is done in an idle environment (green). Once the new version is ready and tested, the traffic is switched from the live environment (blue) to the new environment (green). This ensures minimal downtime and allows for a smooth transition between versions.

• Comparing two versions of an application to determine which performs better: Incorrect

This describes A/B testing, which is used to compare different versions of an application or webpage to see which performs better based on user interactions.

• A deployment that makes changes to the stack takes the resources out of the stack, integrates new changes, and brings them back: Incorrect

This describes a rolling update or in-place upgrade process, where resources are updated one at a time or in small batches, but it does not align with the concept of Blue-Green deployment.

• A deployment system that rolls out new releases to a subset of systems: Incorrect

This describes a canary deployment. In a canary deployment, new releases are gradually rolled out to a small subset of users or systems to monitor and verify the impact before full deployment.

Q24: A company wants to move an application quickly from a local data center to the cloud. Which migration strategy should the company adopt for a quick move?

1. Refactoring
2. Repurchasing
3. Rehosting
4. Replatforming

Correct answer: 3

Read More at Data Center Pre-Migration Assessment

Reason for each option:

• Refactoring: Incorrect

This involves re-architecting or re-coding parts of the application to better fit the cloud environment. While this can optimize the application for the cloud, it is time-consuming and not suitable for a quick move.

• Repurchasing: Incorrect

This strategy involves moving to a different product, typically a SaaS (Software as a Service) offering. While it might be quick in some cases, it involves changing to a new system which might require significant adjustments and training.

• Rehosting: Correct

Also known as “lift and shift,” this strategy involves moving applications as-is from a local data center to the cloud. This method requires minimal changes and can be done relatively quickly, making it the best option for rapid migration.

• Replatforming: Incorrect

This involves making some optimizations to the application during the migration process, such as switching to a managed database service. It requires more effort and time than rehosting, making it less suitable for a quick move.

Q25: How would you identify the key characteristics of the User Datagram Protocol (UDP)? Select two options.

1. UDP handles the packet transmission.
2. UDP acknowledges Data Transfer.
3. No handshake implementation in UDP.
4. Automatic congestion handling by UDP.
5. Packets’ arrival is random in UDP.

Correct Option: 3,5

Reason for each option:

• UDP handles the packet transmission: Incorrect

While UDP does handle packet transmission, this statement is too general and does not specifically describe a key characteristic that distinguishes UDP from other protocols like TCP.

• UDP acknowledges Data Transfer: Incorrect

UDP does not acknowledge data transfer. This is a characteristic of TCP, which ensures reliable delivery through acknowledgments.

• No handshake implementation in UDP: Correct

UDP is a connectionless protocol, meaning it does not establish a connection before data transfer begins. There is no handshake process as there is with TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), which establishes a connection through a three-way handshake before data transmission. 

• Automatic congestion handling by UDP: Incorrect

UDP does not have built-in mechanisms for congestion control. TCP handles congestion control to avoid network congestion and packet loss.

• Packets’ arrival is random in UDP: Correct

Because UDP does not guarantee packet order, packets can arrive in any order or even be lost. This characteristic is due to UDP’s lack of error checking and correction, making it suitable for applications where speed is more critical than reliability, such as streaming and online gaming.

Q26: Can you recover a RAID 5 array if one of the disks fails?

1. No, RAID 5 is not recoverable from a disk failure, but it is recoverable from block-level failure.
2. No, RAID 5 does not offer data redundancy, but it increases performance.
3. Yes, you can recover RAID 5 if you have at least half of the drives.
4. Yes, you can rebuild a single failed drive in RAID 5 using the parity information.

Correct Option: 4

Reason for each option:

• No, RAID 5 is not recoverable from a disk failure, but it is recoverable from block-level failure: Incorrect

This is incorrect because RAID 5 is specifically designed to be recoverable from a single disk failure using parity data.

• No, RAID 5 does not offer data redundancy, but it increases performance: Incorrect

This is incorrect because RAID 5 does offer data redundancy through the use of parity information. It balances redundancy and performance.

• Yes, you can recover RAID 5 if you have at least half of the drives: Incorrect

This is incorrect because RAID 5 specifically allows recovery with one disk failure, regardless of the total number of disks in the array, not necessarily half.

• Yes, you can rebuild a single failed drive in RAID 5 using the parity information:  Correct

RAID 5 arrays distribute data and parity information across all disks in the array. If a single disk fails, the data can be reconstructed using the parity information stored on the remaining disks. This is one of the key features of RAID 5, providing fault tolerance and allowing the array to continue operating even if one disk fails.

Q27: Which utility will suit an organization best to migrate its data from one location to another and modify it during the migration process?

1. Rsync
2. File-Transfer Protocol (FTP)
3. Extract-Transform-Load (ETL)
4. Data Dumping

Correct Option: 3 

Read More at AWS Cloud Migration: Mastering the 7 R’s and Best Practices

Reason for each option:

• Rsync: Incorrect

Rsync is a utility for efficiently transferring and synchronizing files between different systems. It is great for copying and backing up data but does not inherently include data transformation capabilities.

• File-Transfer Protocol (FTP): Incorrect

FTP is a standard network protocol used for transferring files from one host to another over a TCP-based network. While it is useful for moving data, it does not provide built-in mechanisms for transforming data during the transfer process.

• Extract-Transform-Load (ETL): Correct

ETL is a process that involves extracting data from one or more sources, transforming the data (which can include cleaning, filtering, and enriching it), and then loading it into a target destination. This process is particularly suited for migrating data from one location to another while also allowing for modifications during the migration.

• Data Dumping: Incorrect

Data dumping involves exporting data from a database or other storage system into a file or another system. While it can be part of a migration strategy, it typically does not include the capability to transform the data during the migration.

Q28: How would you save time in long data migration for a large volume of data?

1. Docker
2. Blockchain
3. Encryption
4. Offline data transfer

Correct Option: 4

Reason for each option:

• Docker: Incorrect

Docker is a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications inside containers. While it can streamline deployment processes and application management, it does not directly address the challenges of migrating large volumes of data.

• Blockchain: Incorrect

Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology used primarily for secure and transparent record-keeping. It is not relevant to the process of migrating large volumes of data efficiently.

• Encryption: Incorrect 

Encryption is essential for securing data during transfer, but it does not directly contribute to reducing the time required for migrating large volumes of data. It ensures data privacy and security but does not speed up the migration process itself.

• Offline data transfer: Correct

For large volumes of data, using offline data transfer methods such as shipping physical storage devices (e.g., hard drives) can significantly save time compared to transferring data over the internet. This is especially useful when dealing with terabytes or petabytes of data, as it bypasses the limitations of network bandwidth and reduces the time needed for migration.

Q29: While migrating a database from an on-premises data center to the cloud, when would you prefer database mirroring to restore or back up the migration method?

1. When the database requires synchronous replication.
2. When downtime reduction is important for migration cutover.
3. While using the NoSQL database.
4. In open-source database instances.

Correct Option: 2

Reason for each option:

• When the database requires synchronous replication: Incorrect

While database mirroring can support synchronous replication, the primary reason to use it in the context of migration is to reduce downtime during the cutover process. Synchronous replication can be achieved through other methods as well, such as replication or clustering.

• When downtime reduction is important for migration cutover: Correct

 Database mirroring is a technique used to maintain a copy of a database in a different location, which can be switched to with minimal downtime. It is particularly useful during migration when minimizing downtime is critical. Mirroring allows for near-real-time replication, so the transition can be almost seamless.

• While using the NoSQL database: Incorrect 

Database mirroring is generally associated with relational databases rather than NoSQL databases. NoSQL databases often have their own replication and migration strategies that may not involve traditional mirroring.

• In open-source database instances: Incorrect 

The choice between using database mirroring or another method is not specifically related to whether the database is open-source. The decision is more about the migration strategy and requirements such as downtime and data consistency. 

Q30: What is the shortest Recovery Time Objective (RTO) approach when selecting the disaster recovery methods?

1. Warm Standby
2. Backup and Restore
3. Hot Standby
4. Pilot Light

Correct Option: 3

Reason for each option:

• Warm Standby: Incorrect

Warm Standby involves maintaining a backup system that is partially active and can be brought up to full operation relatively quickly. While it offers a faster RTO than some methods, it is not as immediate as Hot Standby.

• Backup and Restore: Incorrect

Backup and Restore involves taking regular backups of data and restoring them in case of a failure. This method typically has the longest RTO because it requires time to restore data from backups.

• Hot Standby: Correct

Hot Standby involves having a fully operational and continuously running duplicate of the primary system that can take over immediately in case of failure. This approach offers the shortest Recovery Time Objective (RTO) because the backup system is always online and ready to take over without any delay.

• Pilot Light: Incorrect 

Pilot Light involves maintaining a minimal version of the system that can be scaled up in the event of a failure. While faster than Backup and Restore, it still requires some time to scale up the resources and bring the system to full operation, making it slower than Hot Standby.

Conclusion

In this blog, we’ve continued our essential AWS Job Assessment Questions & Answers series by sharing more critical questions to aid your preparation. By studying and practicing these questions, you can enhance your knowledge and confidence, improving your chances of securing your desired AWS role.

Whether you’re an experienced professional or new to AWS, this guide will be valuable in your assessment preparation. Remember, preparation is the key to success. Be sure to check out Part 1: Click Here, Part 2: Click Here and Part 4 Click Here of our AWS Job Assessment series for a comprehensive start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related/References

• AWS Cloud Job Oriented Program: Step-by-Step Hands-on Labs & Projects
• AWS Exploration: Amazon Web Services
• AWS Certification Path: Learn AWS Certification Hierarchy 2024
• Overview of Amazon Web Services & Concept
• AWS Management Console Walkthrough
• How to create a free tier account in AWS
• AWS Management Console

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