Finding Services and Customizing the Dashboard

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will:

1. Learn how to find AWS services using the search bar and service categories.
2. Customize the AWS Console Home Page for a more efficient workflow.
3. Pin frequently used services to your Favorites Bar for quick access.

Introduction: Your Personalized AWS Workspace

The AWS Management Console is like a vast library with hundreds of services. At first, finding what you need might feel overwhelming, but with a few simple techniques, you can navigate the console effortlessly.

In this lesson, we’ll focus on mastering the Search Bar, exploring Service Categories, and customizing your dashboard to create a workspace that matches your workflow. Let’s turn the AWS Console into your personal command center.

Step 1: Finding AWS Services

Using the Search Bar

1. Locate the Search Bar:
   At the top of the AWS Management Console, you’ll find the Search Bar. This is your fastest way to find services.
2. Search for a Service:
   • Example: Type EC2 in the search bar and press Enter.
   • Click the EC2 result to navigate to its dashboard.
3. Search Tips:
   • Use partial names: Typing “S3” will bring up Amazon S3.
   • Service aliases: Typing “virtual server” will show EC2.

Exploring Service Categories

If you’re unsure of a service’s name, browse through categories:

1. Open the Services Menu:
   • Click Services in the top-left corner of the console.
2. Explore Categories:
   • Categories include Compute, Storage, Networking, and more.
   • Example: To find storage services, open Storage and locate S3 or EBS.
3. Identify Free Tier Services:
   • Look for the Free Tier Eligible label next to services.

Step 2: Customizing the Dashboard

Adding and Organizing Widgets

1. Open Customization:
   • Scroll to the bottom of the Console Home Page and click Customize.
2. Add Widgets:
   • Select widgets such as Recent Services, AWS Health, and Billing.
   • Example: Add AWS Free Tier Usage to monitor your usage limits.
3. Reorder Widgets:
   • Drag and drop widgets to arrange them in a way that suits your workflow.

Pinning Services to the Favorites Bar

1. Pin Frequently Used Services:
   • Open the Services Menu and hover over a service (e.g., EC2).
   • Click the Pin Icon to add it to the Favorites Bar.
2. Reorder Favorites:
   • Drag services in the Favorites Bar to reorder them.
   • Example: Pin S3, Lambda, and CloudFront for easy access.

Step 3: Hands-On Lab – Navigating and Customizing

Task 1: Finding a Service

1. Use the Search Bar to find CloudFront.
2. Open the CloudFront Dashboard and locate the Distributions section.

Task 2: Adding Widgets

1. Scroll to the bottom of the AWS Console Home Page.
2. Click Customize and add the AWS Free Tier Usage widget.
3. Reorder the widget to appear at the top of the dashboard.

Task 3: Pin Your Favorites

1. Pin EC2, S3, and IAM to your Favorites Bar.
2. Reorder them with S3 first, followed by IAM, then EC2.

Reflection: What Did You Learn?

In this chapter, you:

1. Learned how to find AWS services quickly using the Search Bar and Service Categories.
2. Customized your Console Home Page with widgets for better visibility.
3. Pinned frequently used services to your Favorites Bar for fast access.

These skills will save you time and make managing your cloud resources more efficient.

What’s Next?

In the next chapter, we’ll explore the role of AWS Service Documentation—your ultimate resource for learning and troubleshooting. You’ll learn how to find and use guides, FAQs, and tutorials effectively.

Let’s keep building your AWS expertise!