AWS Hands-On | S3 Introduction | Creating and Managing Amazon S3 Buckets

📌 Notice

This is a hands-on tutorial accompanying the blog post:

“Pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Certification SAA-C03-(Episode 10: S3 Introduction)”

🔹 Focus: Practical implementation of Amazon S3. 🔹 For theoretical concepts and exam-style questions, please refer to the main blog post (link to parent blog).

Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) is a scalable cloud storage solution that allows you to store and retrieve data from anywhere. In this guide, we’ll walk through creating an S3 bucket, uploading files, managing access, and understanding key features like bucket versioning and encryption.

Step 1: Sign in to AWS Console

1. Go to the AWS Management Console.
2. Log in with your AWS credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to Amazon S3

1. In the AWS Console, search for S3 in the services menu.
2. Click on Amazon S3 to open the S3 dashboard.

Step 3: Create a New S3 Bucket

1. Click the Create bucket button.
2. Bucket name: Enter a globally unique name (e.g., yourname-demo-s3-v1).
3. Region: Select your preferred AWS region (e.g., Europe (Stockholm) – eu-north-1).
4. Bucket type: Choose General Purpose (default).

Note: Directory buckets are for specialized use cases and not covered here.

Step 4: Configure Bucket Settings

1. Object Ownership: Keep ACLs disabled (recommended for security).
2. Block Public Access: Ensure “Block all public access” is enabled (default).
3. Bucket Versioning: Select Disabled (we’ll enable it later if needed).
4. Tags: Optional — skip if not required.
5. Default Encryption: Enable “Server-side encryption” with Amazon S3 managed keys (SSE-S3).
6. Bucket Key: Enable for added security.
7. Click Create bucket.

Step 5: Upload Files to Your Bucket

1. In your bucket dashboard, click Upload.
2. Click Add files and select a file (e.g., coffee.jpg).
3. Click Upload.
4. Once uploaded, the file appears in your bucket’s Objects list.

Step 6: Accessing Uploaded Files

Method 1: Using Pre-Signed URL (Private Access)

1. Click on the uploaded file (e.g., coffee.jpg).
2. Click Open — this generates a pre-signed URL that allows temporary access.
3. The file opens in a new tab because your credentials are embedded in the URL.

Method 2: Using Public URL (Blocked by Default)

1. Copy the Object URL from the file’s overview.
2. Paste it into a browser — you’ll see “Access Denied” because public access is blocked.

• To make it public, you must modify bucket policies (covered in a later guide).

Step 7: Creating and Managing Folders

1. In your bucket, click Create folder.
2. Name it (e.g., images) and click Create folder.
3. Upload files into the folder (e.g., beach.jpg).

Deleting Files/Folders

1. Select the file or folder.
2. Click Delete.
3. Confirm by typing “permanently delete”.

By following these steps, you’ve successfully created an S3 bucket, uploaded files, and managed access settings. Stay tuned for more AWS guides!

To stay informed on the latest technical insights and tutorials, connect with me on Medium and LinkedIn. For professional inquiries or technical discussions, please contact me via email. I welcome the opportunity to engage with fellow professionals and address any questions you may have.