AWS Linux Operations for Non-Majors

If you’ve ever inherited a cloud environment with no SSH keys, a fleet you can’t easily patch, or a maintenance window that runs but changes nothing, then this workshop is for you. Designed for Linux sysadmins who are new to AWS, this half-day workshop replaces the old mental model (SSH in, run commands, patch manually) with the AWS Systems Manager toolkit.

Through a series of hands-on labs drawn from real-world AWS support cases, you’ll learn how to connect to instances without opening port 22, run commands and automation runbooks across an entire fleet by tag, configure patch baselines and maintenance windows, and diagnose the silent failures that block production patching. The workshop closes with a guided tour of EC2 Image Builder and how golden AMIs fit into a modern patching strategy.

Skill Level and Target Audience

• Beginner to intermediate
• Prerequisite: AWS Basics for Technical Non-Majors
• IT professionals in areas such as operations, developers, and analysts

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to manage Linux infrastructure in AWS using Systems Manager instead of traditional SSH-based workflows.

Participants will be able to:

• Connect to EC2 instances without SSH keys or open ports using AWS Systems Manager Session Manager
• Run commands and scripts across a fleet of instances by tag using Run Command
• Use Automation runbooks to perform common maintenance tasks without logging in
• Configure patch baselines, patch groups, and maintenance windows for fleet patching
• Diagnose silent patching failures using SSM compliance reports and CloudTrail
• Understand the role of EC2 Image Builder in a modern patching strategy

Use Your CLASS Vouchers

Does your institution have voucher value available to spend on CLASS events? Please contact us to check your institution’s voucher balance or redeem your voucher for registration.