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Working with DynamoDB Local and Global Indexes

In this lab, we will explore local and global secondary indexes in DynamoDB and investigate their impact on performance and capacity unit usage. An existing unindexed table is provided, and we will create a new table with local and global secondary indexes. Load the same dataset into our new table with a provided data loader. Then use a test utility to observe the performance and capacity differences when performing read operations against tables with and without indexes. **Note:** Please use the `us-east-1` region for this lab.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Aug 30, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Create a New Table with Local and Global Secondary Indexes

    • Log in to the AWS Management Console for the lab environment at the provided URL with the supplied credentials. Note: Use the us-east-1 region for this lab.
    • Create a new DynamoDB table named album_indexed with a partition key of artist_id and a sort key of id. Add a local secondary index for the format attribute, and create a global secondary index for the title attribute.

  2. Challenge

    Log In to the EC2 Instance and Load Data into Your Newly Created Table

    • Log in to the provided EC2 instance with the provided IP and credentials.
    • Run the index_table_load command to load data into your table.

  3. Challenge

    Verify the Table Contents and Test Querying Against the Indexes You Created

    • Return to the AWS Management Console and verify the data has been loaded to the album_indexed table.
    • Test querying against the title and format indexes.

  4. Challenge

    Run the Provided Test Utility and Observe the Results

    • Return to the provided EC2 instance, run the provided records_query command, and observe the results of the scan/filter against the album table and query against the album_indexed table.
Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

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