Challenge Labs are designed to extend and expand your learning experience with hands-on, scenario-based exercises. Challenge labs are goal oriented, short-duration, scenario-based hands-on exercises, and an excellent way to provide additional skills development and assessment. As new challenge labs are released, and you will gain automatic access to them for the duration of your subscription.

Audience

• IT Professionals who are looking to keep up to date on features and functionality for a particular technology
• IT Professionals who are responsible for supporting multiple technologies
• IT Professional/Developers who are preparing for vendor certification exams

Challenge Labs Levels

There are three levels of Challenges included in your Library.

• Guided - Step-by-step instructions with detailed hints [Duration ~ 30 minutes]
• Advanced- Given requirements, students utilize resource information [Duration ~ 45 minutes]
• Expert - Spans multiple products, technologies, and platforms [Duration ~ 60 minutes]

Challenge Lab Topics

AWS Architecture: Storage - Challenge Series

• Configure File Encryption and Access Logging [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will configure a bucket to encrypt files at rest and log access to the bucket.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Hosting a Static Website Using S3 [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create and configure an Amazon S3 Bucket with version control to serve a static website.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

AWS: Cloud Practitioner - Challenge Series

• Can You Configure an Auto Scaling Group and a Load Balancer? [Advanced]
  • In this challenge, you will configure a website that can scale from two to four load balanced instances based upon demand. First, you will create a target group, and then you will create an Application Load Balancer that uses the target group. Next, you will create a launch template, and then you will configure an Auto Scaling group that will scale out when the CPU load of the instances is 80 percent or higher. Finally, you will test the Auto Scaling group and the load balancer. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Can You Implement a Highly Available Website? [Expert]
  • In this challenge, you will configure, deploy a highly available, and secure website by using Amazon Web Services. First, you will establish a secure network environment by using a network access control list (ACL) and a security group, and then you will configure a redundant Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) bucket to store static assets. Next, you will create a fleet of web servers running on an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instance in a virtual private cloud (VPC) by using an Auto Scaling group. Finally, you will create an Application Load Balancer to use with the Auto Scaling group.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Can You Implement Secure Access to a Service? [Advanced]
  • In this challenge, you will configure a web server that runs on an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instance in a virtual private cloud (VPC). First, you will create a security group, and then you will configure a network access control list (ACL) that allows HTTP, HTTPS, and ICMP IPv4 traffic to reach the web server. Next, you will create an Amazon EC2 instance that runs a web server. Finally, you will test connectivity to the web server from the internet.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Can You Secure Access to an S3 Bucket? [Advanced]
  • In this challenge, you will create an Amazon S3 bucket to store static assets for a website, and then you will configure cross-region replication (CRR) to a new bucket. Next, you will enable public access to the bucket, and then you will create a user account for the web administrator. Next, you will create an Identity and Access Management (IAM) policy that provides full control of the bucket, and then you will create a new group. Finally, you will assign the IAM policy to the group, and then you will add the web administrator to the group.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Configure a Security Group [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create a security group that will only allow specific traffic into a web server you are running. First, you will create a security group. Next, you will create an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) instance that uses the security group. Finally, you will test access to the web server through the security group.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Create EC2 Instances by Using Auto Scaling [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will configure and deploy Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances by using an Auto Scaling group. First, you will create a security group for a launch template, and then you will configure a launch template. Next, you will create an Auto Scaling group. Finally, you will test the Auto Scaling group.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Getting Started with AWS Cloud Fundamentals [Getting Started]
  • In this lab, you will configure and deploy a highly available and secure website by using Amazon Web Services (AWS). First, you will configure network security for your environment, and then you will create and configure an Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) bucket to store static assets. Next, you will create a fleet of EC2 instances by using an Auto Scaling group. Finally, you will integrate an Application Load Balancer into the Auto Scaling group.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Implement a Network Access Control List [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create a secure network Access Control List (ACL) that will only allow specific traffic into a subnet. First, you will create a network ACL. Next, you will create an EC2 instance on the subnet that is associated with the network ACL. Finally, you will test access to the web server through the network ACL.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Implement Elastic Load Balancing Between EC2 Instances [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will configure Elastic Load Balancing for two Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) instances. First, you will configure two EC2 instances as web servers. Next, you will create a target group that includes the EC2 instances. Finally, you will create a load balancer for the EC2 instances.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Implement Identity and Access Management [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create an Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) bucket that will contain assets for a website that you will be hosting. The website must be accessible to a group of web administrators. First, you will create an Amazon S3 bucket to store the assets, and then you will create a user account for the web administrator. Next, you will create an Identity and Access Management (IAM) policy that provides full control of the bucket, and then you will create a new group. Finally, you will assign the IAM policy to the group, and then you will add the web administrator to the group.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Implement the Simple Storage Service [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will configure a multi-region Simple Storage Service (S3) bucket that will store static website assets. First, you will create an S3 bucket, and then you will enable cross-region replication (CRR). Next, you will make the bucket public. Finally, you will add resources to the bucket, and then you will test access to the bucket.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

AWS: Elastic Compute Cloud

• Create and Configure an EC2 Instance That Uses a User Data Script [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create an EC2 instance that contains an Apache web server. First, you will create a key pair to allow remote access to the server. Next, you will create a security group that allows SSH and HTTP traffic. Finally, you will create an EC2 instance that uses a user data script to install an Apache web server, and then you will test the web server.Note: Once you begin the challenge, you will not be able to pause, save, or exit and then return to your challenge. Please ensure that you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Getting Started with AWS Elastic Compute Cloud [Getting Started]
  • In this lab, you will configure a scalable, load-balanced web server farm by using Amazon Web Services (AWS). First, you will configure an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) instance, and then you will create a custom Amazon Machine Image (AMI) based on the instance. Next, you will create a launch template, and then you will configure an Auto Scaling group. Finally, you will install a web server by using AWS System Manager Run Command, and then you will configure load balancing for the server farm.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

AWS: Technical Essentials - Challenge Series

• Build a Network by Using the VPC Wizard [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create a custom VPC with public and private subnets, and an Internet and NAT Gateway, and then you will associate route tables with the correct subnets.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Build VPC Resources Manually [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create a custom VPC with public and private subnets, and an Internet and NAT Gateway. You will then associate route tables with the correct subnets.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Can You Build a Network Foundation in AWS? [Advanced]
  • In this challenge, you will create a custom VPC with public and private subnets, and an Internet and NAT Gateway. You will then associate route tables with the correct subnets.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Can You Build a Website by Using an Amazon S3 Bucket? [Advanced]
  • In this challenge, you will create a static website by using an Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) bucket. First, you will create an Amazon S3 bucket, and then you will configure version control for the bucket. Next, you will create a static website, and then you will configure public access for the bucket. Finally, you will enable transfer acceleration for the bucket, and then you will create a lifecycle rule that will archive old content automatically.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Can You Implement a Repeatable Compute Layer by Using EC2? [Advanced]
  • In this challenge, you will configure a repeatable AWS Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) environment by using a custom launch template. First, you will launch a custom EC2 instance that contains a pre-installed web server, and then you will attach an extra Amazon Elastic Block Storage (EBS) data disk. Next, you will create an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) based on an existing instance, and then you will create a launch template based upon the custom AMI. Finally, you will launch a new web server EC2 instance by using the custom launch template.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Configure an S3 Bucket and Website [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create multiple S3 buckets, enable version control, server access logging, S3 encryption, public access, public website hosting, and will upload files to serve as a static website.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Configure Data Transfer and Storage Options for an S3 Bucket [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will configure data transfer and storage options. First, you will create a new Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) bucket. Next, you will enable transfer acceleration. Finally, you will classify stored files, and then you will configure file storage to use the most cost-effective storage tiers.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Configure Storage by Using EBS [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will configure storage by using Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) to create a volume that you can attach to an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instance. First, you will create an EBS volume. Next, you will modify the EBS volume. Finally, you will attach the EBS volume to an EC2 instance.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Connect to an EC2 Instance by Using RDP [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create a Windows Server virtual machine by using Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). First, you will create a new key pair that you will use to decrypt the password for an EC2 instance. Next, you will create a security group to allow access to an EC2 instance, and then you will create an EC2 instance by using a Windows Server Amazon Machine Image (AMI). Finally, you will download an RDP file to your local computer, and then you will connect to the EC2 instance by using the RDP file.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Create a Launch Template [Guided]
  • In this challenge, you will create a launch template, and then you will launch an Amazon Elastic Cloud Compute (Amazon EC2) instance from the template. First, you will configure a key pair, and then you will configure a security group. Next, you will create a launch template based on an Amazon Machine Image (AMI), and then you will launch an EC2 instance by using the template. Finally, you will establish an SSH terminal connection to the EC2 instance by using PuTTy.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Create a Scalable Website That Uses an Elastic Load Balancer [Guided]
  • In this challenge lab, you will create a scalable and resilient website. First, you will create security groups for a load balancer and an Auto Scaling group. Next, you will create a launch template that you will use to create Amazon Elastic Cloud Compute (Amazon EC2) instances, and then you will create an Auto Scaling group. Finally, you will attach a new load balancer to the Auto Scaling group, and then you will connect to the website through the load balancer.Note: Once you begin the challenge lab, you will not be able to pause, save, or exit and then return to your challenge lab. Please ensure that you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge lab before you start.
• Getting Started with AWS Secure Architecture Configuration [Getting Started]
  • In this lab, you will configure a secure Amazon Web Services (AWS) virtual private cloud (VPC) architecture for a web server. First, you will configure an AWS VPC environment following AWS best practices for security and reliability. Next, you will create an Auto Scaling Group that contains a load balancer to host multiple web servers in the VPC. Finally, you will test your environment to make sure that it is functioning.Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.
• Monitor Applications by Using CloudWatch [Guided]
  • In this challenge lab, you will monitor applications by using an Amazon CloudWatch dashboard. First, you will connect to the web servers that are running behind a load balancer. Next, you will create a CloudWatch metric filter for 404 errors on each web server, and then you will create a custom CloudWatch dashboard to display the memory, CPU, and load balancer metrics. Finally, you will test the dashboard by simulating activity.Note: Once you begin the challenge lab, you will not be able to pause, save, or exit and then return to your challenge lab. Please ensure that you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge lab before you start.