Introduction to Cloud-Native Architecture and Microservices
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Introduction to Cloud-Native Architecture and Microservices
This course is part of Cloud-Native – Microservices, Kubernetes & CI/CD Specialization
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What you'll learn
Learn to design and deploy Cloud-Native microservices using Kubernetes
Master containerization and implement CI/CD pipelines for microservices applications
Understand the architecture of microservices and their scalability in Cloud-Native environments
Explore advanced topics like Service Mesh, AWS Serverless, and container orchestration tools
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
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January 2026
11 assignments
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There are 10 modules in this course
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A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. In this course, you will dive into the world of Cloud-Native architectures and practices, focusing on Microservices, Kubernetes, Service Mesh, and CI/CD. You will explore how Cloud-Native applications are designed for scalability and resilience, learning about the evolution of cloud hosting models from IaaS to Serverless. The course will provide hands-on experience with key tools and technologies, including Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS, empowering you to design, deploy, and manage microservices at scale. The course is divided into structured modules, starting with foundational knowledge about Cloud-Native and Cloud Platforms. You will progress into deep dives into microservices, containers, and container orchestration using Kubernetes. Along the way, you'll engage in practical hands-on projects that solidify your learning. This course is ideal for developers and DevOps engineers looking to master Cloud-Native applications and architectures. It requires familiarity with basic programming concepts and cloud computing principles. By the end of the course, you will be able to design and deploy microservices using Kubernetes, implement CI/CD pipelines, containerize applications, and use service mesh for complex microservice communications.
In this module, we will introduce you to the foundation of Cloud-Native Architecture. You’ll explore the evolution of cloud platforms, understand the course structure, and preview upcoming hands-on projects. This section sets the stage for mastering modern cloud development practices.
What's included
5 videos2 readings
5 videos•Total 25 minutes
- Introduction to the Specialization•7 minutes
- Evolution of Cloud Platforms: IaaS - CaaS - PaaS - FaaS - SaaS - Serverless•3 minutes
- Cloud-Native Application Architecture•5 minutes
- Hands-on Projects•7 minutes
- How to Follow the Course & Course Slides•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Introduction to the Course 'Introduction to Cloud-Native Architecture and Microservices'•10 minutes
- Full Specialization Resources•10 minutes
In this module, we will dive into what it means to be Cloud-Native, exploring its design principles, benefits, and potential challenges. You’ll also learn how legacy applications can be modernized using Cloud-Native strategies, preparing you for deeper architectural discussions.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videos•Total 16 minutes
- What is Cloud-Native?•3 minutes
- Cloud-Native Architecture Design Principles and Key Characteristics•3 minutes
- Benefits of Cloud-Native Architectures•2 minutes
- Challenges of Cloud-Native Architectures•3 minutes
- The Cloud Path of Legacy Applications - Modernization of Legacy Apps with Cloud-Native•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Introduction to Cloud-Native - What is Cloud-Native Architecture? - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will explore the broader Cloud-Native ecosystem through the CNCF landscape and trail map. You’ll gain insights into the structure, categories, and tools that define Cloud-Native computing, building a strong conceptual framework for the course ahead.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment
8 videos•Total 33 minutes
- Introduction - Cloud-Native Deep Dive - Landscape, Trial Map, and Pillars•0 minutes
- Cloud-Native Computing Foundation (CNCF)•2 minutes
- Quick Tour on Cloud-Native Computing Foundation (CNCF)•5 minutes
- What Is the CNCF Landscape?•7 minutes
- Deep Dive into CNCF Landscape Categories•8 minutes
- Complicated with CNCF Projects? - Funny Break•2 minutes
- CNCF Cloud-Native Trail Map•5 minutes
- All Cloud-Native Pillars - Extended for Course Structure•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Cloud-Native Deep Dive - Landscape, Trial Map, and Pillars - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will explore Microservices as the first foundational pillar of Cloud-Native systems. You’ll learn design patterns, best practices, and anti-patterns while analyzing real-world E-commerce use cases and reference projects using .NET and AWS.
What's included
19 videos1 assignment
19 videos•Total 69 minutes
- Introduction to Pillar 1 - Microservices•2 minutes
- 12-Factor App and Cloud-Native Trial Map - Microservices•4 minutes
- Application Architecture Journey - Evolution of Architectures; Monolithic, Microservices, Serverless•3 minutes
- What are Microservices?•1 minute
- What is Microservices Architecture?•2 minutes
- When to Use Microservices Architecture - Best Practices•3 minutes
- When Not to Use Microservices - Anti-Patterns of Microservices•3 minutes
- Monolithic vs Microservices Architecture Comparison•3 minutes
- The Database-per-Service Pattern - Polygot Persistence•3 minutes
- Explore: Languages and Frameworks for Microservices•4 minutes
- Explore: Cloud-Native Microservices Frameworks•5 minutes
- Explore: Cloud Managed and Serverless Microservices Frameworks•4 minutes
- Design: Cloud-Native Microservices Architecture - Way of Learning•1 minute
- Understand E-Commerce Domain: Analysis and Decompose E-Commerce Microservices•4 minutes
- Identifying and Decomposing Microservices for E-Commerce Domain•2 minutes
- Design: Cloud-Native E-commerce Microservices Architecture•3 minutes
- Choose Microservices Language and Frameworks for Cloud-Native Microservices E-commerce App•3 minutes
- Reference Project: .Net Microservices - Cloud-Native E-commerce App•9 minutes
- Reference Project: AWS Serverless Microservices - Cloud-Native E-commerce App•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Pillar 1 - Microservices - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will guide you through developing a RESTful Microservice from scratch. You’ll write, test, and deploy CRUD-based services using .NET and AWS tools, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with practical hands-on implementation.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment
8 videos•Total 37 minutes
- Introduction - Hands-on: Develop a RESTful Microservice with CRUD Endpoints•3 minutes
- Primary Programming Languages and Frameworks among Microservices Developers•2 minutes
- Why .Net for Microservices Development?•5 minutes
- Install Prerequisites•5 minutes
- Developing Product Microservices•9 minutes
- Run the Application - Product Microservices•7 minutes
- Create Product Microservices with AWS Serverless Services: AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB•2 minutes
- Hands-on: Create Product Microservices with AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Hands-on: Develop a RESTful Microservice with CRUD Endpoints - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will delve into containers—the second Cloud-Native pillar. You’ll understand how containers work, explore Docker and related tools, and design containerized architectures for Cloud-Native E-commerce Microservices.
What's included
20 videos1 assignment
20 videos•Total 78 minutes
- Introduction to Pillar 2 - Containers•1 minute
- 12-Factor App and Cloud-Native Trial Map - Containers•3 minutes
- Evolution of Cloud Platforms: Cloud Hosting Models: IaaS - CaaS - PaaS - FaaS•7 minutes
- What are Containers?•3 minutes
- Best Practices of Using Containers•3 minutes
- How Containers Work?•3 minutes
- What is Container Runtimes?•2 minutes
- What is a Container Registry?•3 minutes
- Containerization: Running Microservices in Containers•3 minutes
- What is Docker?•1 minute
- Docker Containers, Images, and Registries•2 minutes
- Docker Architecture•4 minutes
- Explore: Container Tools: Container Runtimes, Container Registries, Container Deployment Options•4 minutes
- Explore: Container Registries•4 minutes
- Explore: Container Deployment Options•4 minutes
- Explore: Cloud Container Services: Abstraction Level of Container Deployment Options•8 minutes
- Explore: The Most Popular Container Images: Redis, Postgres, ElasticSearch, Kafka, MongoDB•3 minutes
- Design: Cloud-Native E-commerce Microservices Architecture with Containers•4 minutes
- Reference Project: .Net Microservices - Cloud-Native E-commerce App•5 minutes
- Build and Run Microservices with Docker Compose•12 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Pillar 2 - Containers - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will put containerization into action. You’ll learn how to Dockerize .NET Microservices, push images to registries, and deploy them to various cloud environments, gaining hands-on experience in real-world container workflows.
What's included
12 videos1 assignment
12 videos•Total 59 minutes
- Introduction - Hands-on: Containerize .Net Microservices with Docker•1 minute
- Install Prerequisites•2 minutes
- Write Dockerfile for Product Microservices•6 minutes
- Create Docker Image for Product Microservices•3 minutes
- Run Docker Image for Product Microservices•7 minutes
- Push Docker Image to Docker Hub for Product Microservices•5 minutes
- Deploy Container to Cloud: AWS AppRunner, Google Cloud Run, Azure Container Instance•6 minutes
- Prepare your AWS Environment: AWS Account, IAM User, Access Key Programmatic Access and AWS CLI - Prerequisites•8 minutes
- Download and Configure AWS CLI for Programmatic Access•7 minutes
- Hands-on: Pushing Docker Image to Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR)•6 minutes
- Deploy ProductService Container to AWS AppRunner•7 minutes
- IMPORTANT - CLEAR AWS RESOURCES•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Hands-on: Containerize .Net Microservices with Docker - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will explore container orchestration—the third Cloud-Native pillar. You’ll learn how orchestrators automate deployment, scaling, and management, with a focus on Kubernetes and managed services across major cloud platforms.
What's included
13 videos1 assignment
13 videos•Total 41 minutes
- Introduction to Container Orchestrators•1 minute
- 12-Factor App and Cloud-Native Trial Map - Container Orchestrators•2 minutes
- Cloud-Native Trial Map - Container Orchestrators•2 minutes
- Why Need Orchestrators for Containers?•3 minutes
- What are Container Orchestrators?•3 minutes
- Container Orchestrators Usage for Cloud-Native Microservices•4 minutes
- Best Practices of Using Container Orchestrators•3 minutes
- How Container Orchestrators Work?•4 minutes
- Explore: Container Orchestrator Tools - Kubernetes, Docker Swarm, Apache Mesos•4 minutes
- Explore: Cloud Container Orchestrator Tools - EKS, GKS, AKS, Red Hat OpenShift•5 minutes
- Datadog Container Reports: Kubernetes is the De Facto Standard for Containers•4 minutes
- Design: Cloud-Native E-commerce Microservices Architecture with Container Orchestrators - Kubernetes•4 minutes
- Design with Managed Kubernetes Services - Cloud-Native E-commerce Microservices•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Pillar 3 - Container Orchestrators - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will take an in-depth look at Kubernetes, the de facto standard for container orchestration. You’ll explore its architecture, components, and workflows, preparing for practical implementation in real-world cloud environments.
What's included
10 videos1 assignment
10 videos•Total 31 minutes
- Introduction - Deep Dive into Kubernetes - De Facto Standard for Containers•1 minute
- CNCF 2022 Annual Survey - The Year Cloud-Native Became the New Normal•4 minutes
- Kubernetes is Emerging as the 'Operating System' of the Cloud•3 minutes
- Cloud-Native Landscape and Trial Map - Kubernetes: Container Orchestrator•2 minutes
- What is Kubernetes and Why Use It for Microservices Deployments?•1 minute
- Use Cases of Kubernetes•2 minutes
- Kubernetes Architecture•5 minutes
- Kubernetes Components: Pods, ReplicaSet, Deployments, Service•5 minutes
- How Kubernetes Works•5 minutes
- Declarative and Imperative Way of Kubernetes•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Deep Dive into Kubernetes - De Facto Standard for Containers - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will bring everything together by deploying Microservices on Kubernetes. You’ll create pods, deployments, and services, apply scaling, and manage configurations—completing your journey into Cloud-Native deployment mastery.
What's included
17 videos1 reading3 assignments
17 videos•Total 97 minutes
- Introduction - Hands-on: Deploy Microservices to Kubernetes•1 minute
- Install Minikube and kubectl•2 minutes
- Getting Started with Minikube•5 minutes
- ASP.NET Container Expose Port - Configure to Listen - 0.0.0.0:8080•11 minutes
- Create a Pod•4 minutes
- Apply a Pod in Kubernetes•9 minutes
- Why Should You Not Create Pods Directly on Kubernetes?•3 minutes
- Create a Deployment on Kubernetes•5 minutes
- Apply a Deployment in Kubernetes•4 minutes
- Create a Service on Kubernetes•7 minutes
- Apply a Service in Kubernetes•5 minutes
- Best Practices for Creating Deployments and Services for Microservices•3 minutes
- Create Ingress for External Access of Product Microservice•10 minutes
- Create ConfigMaps and Secrets for Product Microservice•9 minutes
- Scale a Container Instance in Kubernetes•10 minutes
- Kubernetes Deployment and Service with Minikube•4 minutes
- Clean Up Resources•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Conclusion to the Course 'Introduction to Cloud-Native Architecture and Microservices'•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
- Hands-on: Deploy Microservices to Kubernetes - Assessment•15 minutes
- Full Course Assessment•60 minutes
- Full Course Practice Assessment•15 minutes
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Frequently asked questions
Cloud-Native architecture focuses on building and running scalable, resilient applications in cloud environments. It leverages microservices, containers, and orchestration tools like Kubernetes to enable flexible, highly available, and easily manageable systems. Microservices, which break down applications inCloud-Native Architecture is a design approach focused on building and running applications that fully leverage cloud computing. This architecture allows developers to create scalable, resilient, and flexible applications. Microservices, a core component of Cloud-Native architecture, break down applications into smaller, manageable services that can be developed, deployed, and maintained independently. The relevance of this approach lies in its ability to enhance agility, scalability, and resilience in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.to smaller, independent services, allow developers to deploy, scale, and update parts of an application without affecting the whole system, making them ideal for cloud environments.
This course focuses on Cloud-Native Architecture and Microservices, guiding learners through essential principles, tools, and practices for developing applications in a cloud environment. It covers topics such as cloud hosting models, containerization, microservices, and container orchestration with Kubernetes, enabling learners to implement scalable and efficient cloud-based systems.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to design, build, and deploy cloud-native applications using microservices architecture. You'll have hands-on experience with tools like Docker and Kubernetes, and be able to modernize legacy applications to cloud-native solutions. Additionally, you will be proficient in deploying and managing applications in cloud environments using containerization and orchestration.
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