Introduction to Cloud Computing

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Begin your cloud computing mastery with this easy-to-follow, self-paced course. Gain the essential knowledge needed to understand cloud computing from a business perspective and as a hands-on cloud practitioner.

This course immerses you in the world of notable cloud service providers, including AWS, Google, IBM, and Microsoft. Explore their offered services and examine real-world applications through industry-specific case studies. You'll also dive into cloud adoption and its connection with technologies such as blockchain, analytics, and AI.

Discover the diverse cloud service models—Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS)—and deployment models—public, private, and hybrid. You'll grasp the core elements of cloud infrastructure, including VMs, networking, storage types, and CDNs. You’ll learn about emerging trends like Hybrid Multicloud, Microservices, Serverless, DevOps, Cloud Native, and Application Modernization. Learn the basics of cloud security, monitoring, and understand various roles in the cloud industry.

Throughout the course, you’ll hear from subject matter experts who will share their insights into Cloud technology and work as a Cloud Practitioner.

You'll gain hands-on experience, having deployed an application on IBM Cloud—a shareable project that makes for an impressive employment portfolio addition!

Whether you're an executive, manager, student, or professional seeking familiarity with cloud computing terminology and concepts, or you aim for a solid grounding in cloud computing for a career as a cloud engineer, full stack developer, DevOps engineer, service reliability engineer, or cybersecurity analyst, this course is your starting point.

Module 1: Overview of Cloud Computing

• Introduction and Learning Objectives
• Definition and essential characteristics of cloud computing
• Expert Viewpoints: Definition and Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing
• History and Evolution of Cloud Computing
• Key Considerations for Cloud Computing
• Key Cloud Service Providers and Their Services
• Cloud Adoption - No Longer a Choice
• Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Adoption Benefits and Use Cases
• Cloud Adoption - Some Case Studies
• Internet of Things on the Cloud
• Artificial Intelligence on the Cloud
• Blockchain and Analytics on the Cloud

Module 2: Cloud Computing Models

• Introduction and Learning Objectives
• Overview of Cloud Service Models
• Infrastructure-as-a-Service
• Platform-as-a-Service
• Software-as-a-Service
• Public Cloud
• Private Cloud
• Hybrid Cloud
• Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Computing Service and Deployment Models
• Community Cloud

Module 3: Components of Cloud Computing

• Introduction and Learning Objectives
• Overview of Cloud Infrastructure
• Virtualization and Virtual Machines Explained
• Types of Virtual Machines
• Bare Metal Servers
• Secure Cloud Networking
• Containers
• Expert Viewpoints: Components of Cloud Computing
• Basics of Cloud Storage
• File Storage
• Block Storage
• Object Storage Overview
• Object Storage - Tiers and APIs
• Content Delivery Networks
• Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Storage

Module 4 - Emergent Trends and Practices

• Introduction and Learning Objectives
• Hybrid Multi-Cloud
• Microservices
• Serverless Computing
• Cloud Native Applications
• DevOps on the Cloud
• Application Modernization
• Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Native and Emergent Cloud Trends

Module 5: Cloud Security and Monitoring, Case Studies, and Jobs

• Introduction and Learning Objectives
• What is Cloud Security - Part 1
• What is Cloud Security - Part 2
• Policies and Principles of Access Management
• Identity and Access Management
• Cloud encryption
• Cloud Monitoring Basics and Benefits
• Cloud Monitoring Benefits
• Case Studies in Different Industry Verticals
• Career Opportunities and Job Roles in Cloud Computing
• Expert Viewpoints: Job Market for Cloud Computing
• Final Project: Deploy an application on the cloud
• HONORS Assignment: Architect a Cloud-based solution
• Final Exam