Introduction to Cloud Computing
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Introduction to Cloud Computing
This course is part of multiple programs.
Instructor: Rav Ahuja
460,307 already enrolled
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What you'll learn
Define cloud computing and explain essential characteristics, history, the business case for cloud, and the emerging technologies enabled by cloud
Describe the cloud service models- IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and cloud deployment models- Public, Private, Hybrid; explain cloud infrastructure components
Explain emerging Cloud related trends including HybridMulticloud, Microservices, Serverless, Cloud Native, DevOps, and Application Modernization
List and describe services of popular cloud platforms including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, and others
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
17 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 6 modules in this course
Start your cloud computing journey with this self-paced introductory course! Whether you need general cloud computing knowledge for school or business, or you are considering a career change, this beginner-friendly course is right for you.
In this course you’ll learn about essential characteristics of cloud computing and emerging technologies supported by cloud. You’ll explore cloud service models, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Public, Private, and Hybrid deployment models. Discover the offerings of prominent cloud service providers AWS, Google, IBM, Microsoft, and others, and review cloud computing case studies. Learn about cloud adoption, blockchain, analytics, and AI. You will learn about the many components of cloud computing architecture including datacenters, availability zones, virtual machines, containers, and bare metal servers. You will also familiarize yourself with different types of cloud storage options, such as Object Storage. You’ll gain foundational knowledge of emergent cloud trends and practices including Hybrid, Multicloud, Microservices, Serverless, DevOps, Cloud Native, Application Modernization, as well as learn about cloud security and monitoring. You’ll also explore cloud computing job roles and possible career paths and opportunities. You will complete a number of labs and quizzes throughout this course to increase your understanding of course content. At the end of the course, you will complete a final project where you will deploy an application to Cloud using a serverless architecture, a valuable addition to your portfolio. After this course, check out the related courses to help you towards your new career as a cloud engineer, full stack developer, DevOps engineer, cybersecurity analyst, and others.
This module introduces the fundamentals of cloud computing, including its definition, essential characteristics, and evolution over time. You will explore the benefits, challenges, and key considerations of adopting cloud technologies. The module also examines major cloud service providers and real-world business use cases. Additionally, it highlights how emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, blockchain, and analytics are enabled by cloud computing.
What's included
12 videos7 readings4 assignments
12 videos•Total 54 minutes
- Course Welcome•4 minutes
- Definition and Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing•5 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Definition and Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing•5 minutes
- History and Evolution of Cloud Computing•4 minutes
- Key Considerations for Cloud Computing•4 minutes
- Key Cloud Service Providers and Their Services•6 minutes
- Cloud Adoption - No longer a choice•3 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Adoption Benefits and Use Cases•5 minutes
- Cloud Adoption - Some case studies•5 minutes
- Internet of Things in the Cloud•4 minutes
- Artificial Intelligence on the Cloud•4 minutes
- Blockchain and Analytics in the Cloud•5 minutes
7 readings•Total 12 minutes
- About the Course•3 minutes
- Course Learning Objectives•3 minutes
- Course Syllabus•1 minute
- Lesson 1 Summary: Introduction to Cloud Computing•1 minute
- Lesson 2 Summary: Business Case for Cloud Computing•1 minute
- Lesson 3 Summary: Emerging Technologies Accelerated by Cloud•1 minute
- Module 1 Glossary: Overview of Cloud Computing•2 minutes
4 assignments•Total 48 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Cloud Computing•8 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Business Case for Cloud Computing•4 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Emerging Technologies Accelerated by Cloud•6 minutes
- Module 1 Graded Quiz: Overview of Cloud Computing •30 minutes
This module focuses on the core service and deployment models in cloud computing. You will learn about IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, including their features, use cases, and differences. The module also covers deployment models such as public, private, hybrid, and community cloud. By the end of the module, you will understand how to select appropriate models based on business and technical requirements.
What's included
8 videos6 readings3 assignments1 app item
8 videos•Total 44 minutes
- Overview of Cloud Service Models•4 minutes
- IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service•4 minutes
- PaaS - Platform as a Service•7 minutes
- SaaS - Software as a Service•4 minutes
- Public Cloud•5 minutes
- Private Cloud•5 minutes
- Hybrid Cloud•10 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Computing Service and Deployment Models•5 minutes
6 readings•Total 22 minutes
- Lesson 1 Summary: Service Models•1 minute
- Community Cloud•6 minutes
- Lesson 2 Summary: Deployment Models•2 minutes
- Module 2 Glossary: Cloud Computing Models•2 minutes
- Reading: IBM Cloud Account•1 minute
- [Optional] Hands-on Lab: Create an IBM account •10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 44 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Service Models•8 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Deployment Models•6 minutes
- Module 2 Graded Quiz: Cloud Computing Models •30 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
- [Optional] Obtain IBM Cloud Feature Code and Activate Trial Account•60 minutes
This module explores the key components of cloud infrastructure and architecture. You will learn about virtualization, virtual machines, and bare metal servers, and how they support cloud environments. The module also covers secure networking, containerization, and content delivery networks. In addition, you will examine different types of cloud storage, including file, block, object, and direct-attached storage, along with their use cases.
What's included
14 videos3 readings3 assignments
14 videos•Total 78 minutes
- Overview of Cloud Infrastructure•5 minutes
- Virtualization and Virtual Machines Explained•5 minutes
- Types of Virtual Machines•5 minutes
- Bare Metal Servers•4 minutes
- Secure Networking in Cloud•4 minutes
- Containers•9 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Components of Cloud Computing•6 minutes
- Basics of Storage on Cloud•6 minutes
- File Storage•4 minutes
- Block Storage•8 minutes
- Object Storage Overview•5 minutes
- Object Storage - Tiers and APIs•5 minutes
- CDN - Content Delivery Networks•5 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Storage•8 minutes
3 readings•Total 7 minutes
- Lesson 1 Summary: Cloud Infrastructure•3 minutes
- Lesson 2 Summary: Cloud Storage and Content Delivery Networks•2 minutes
- Module 3 Glossary: Components of Cloud Computing•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 52 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Cloud Infrastructure•12 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Cloud Storage and Content Delivery Networks•10 minutes
- Module 3 Graded Quiz: Components of Cloud Computing •30 minutes
This module introduces modern trends shaping cloud computing and application development. You will explore concepts such as hybrid and multi-cloud environments, microservices architecture, and serverless computing. The module also covers cloud-native applications, DevOps practices, and application modernization strategies. These concepts help organizations build scalable, flexible, and efficient cloud-based systems.
What's included
7 videos4 readings3 assignments
7 videos•Total 46 minutes
- Hybrid Multi-cloud•8 minutes
- Microservices•5 minutes
- Serverless Computing•5 minutes
- Cloud Native Applications•7 minutes
- DevOps on the Cloud•5 minutes
- Application Modernization•9 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Native and Emergent Cloud Trends•8 minutes
4 readings•Total 11 minutes
- Lesson 1 Summary•2 minutes
- DevOps on the Cloud•5 minutes
- Lesson 2 Summary•2 minutes
- Module 4 Glossary: Emergent Trends and Practices•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 46 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Hybrid Multi-cloud, Microservices, Serverless Computing •10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Cloud Native Applications, DevOps, and Application Modernization•6 minutes
- Module 4 Graded Quiz: Emergent Trends and Practices•30 minutes
This module focuses on securing and managing cloud environments while understanding industry applications and career opportunities. You will learn about cloud security concepts such as identity and access management, encryption, and security architecture. The module also introduces cloud monitoring techniques used to track performance and optimize operations. Additionally, it explores real-world case studies and provides an overview of job roles, career paths, and specializations in cloud computing.
What's included
8 videos5 readings3 assignments
8 videos•Total 46 minutes
- What is Cloud Security - Part 1•5 minutes
- What is Cloud Security - Part 2•6 minutes
- Identity and Access Management•7 minutes
- Cloud Encryption•5 minutes
- Cloud Monitoring - Basics and Benefits•4 minutes
- Case Studies in Different Industry Verticals•8 minutes
- Career Opportunities and Job Roles in Cloud Computing•6 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Job Market for Cloud Computing•5 minutes
5 readings•Total 27 minutes
- Policies and Principles of Access Management•8 minutes
- Cloud Monitoring and Benefits•10 minutes
- Lesson Summary: Cloud Security and Monitoring•3 minutes
- Lesson Summary: Case Studies and Jobs•2 minutes
- Module 5 Glossary: Cloud Security, Monitoring, Case Studies, & Jobs•4 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Cloud Security and Monitoring•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Case Studies and Jobs•10 minutes
- Module 5 Graded Quiz: Cloud Security, Monitoring, Case Studies, & Jobs•30 minutes
In this module, you will apply your cloud computing knowledge through a hands-on project. You will containerize an application, upload it to a cloud container registry, and deploy it using serverless technology. The module also includes an optional case study on cloud-based application modernization. This project helps you demonstrate practical cloud deployment skills using real-world tools and workflows.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment1 app item
1 video•Total 6 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Your Career in Cloud Computing•6 minutes
4 readings•Total 36 minutes
- About this optional assignment•1 minute
- Case Study: Modernize a Food Delivery Service with Cloud•30 minutes
- Congrats & Next Steps•3 minutes
- Thanks from the Course Team•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
- Case Study Quiz: Modernize with Cloud •20 minutes
1 app item•Total 30 minutes
- Hands-on Project: Deploy an Application on Cloud•30 minutes
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Reviewed on Aug 9, 2024
Overall is a good course. But it is also suggested it would be better to provide PDF slides for review after the video and the subtitles shall be adjustable for its transparency and font size.
Reviewed on Aug 7, 2022
The learning materials and method are designed to be very comprehensible. I am confident with the skills and knowledge i've acquired knowing that I can build on this and be job ready in little time.
Reviewed on Jul 16, 2022
Course was very organized and I learned a lot. I did not experience a single technical issue unlike other self-paced courses. All content was up to date. Great course, highly recommend.
Frequently asked questions
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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
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