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Comprehensive Cloud Computing Foundations

Packt - Course Instructors

This comprehensive course takes you on a deep dive into cloud computing, starting with foundational concepts such as virtual instances, service models, and resource management. The initial lessons cover the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, ensuring you understand the core cloud delivery models that are revolutionizing IT infrastructure. You'll explore practical applications through detailed demonstrations on Linode for setting up cloud accounts, deploying virtual instances, and administering them securely.

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This comprehensive course takes you on a deep dive into cloud computing, starting with foundational concepts such as virtual instances, service models, and resource management. The initial lessons cover the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, ensuring you understand the core cloud delivery models that are revolutionizing IT infrastructure. You'll explore practical applications through detailed demonstrations on Linode for setting up cloud accounts, deploying virtual instances, and administering them securely.

As you progress, you'll move into server management and security, mastering Linux fundamentals and learning how to configure user accounts, enable secure SSH authentication, and lock down server access. You’ll also gain insights into web server technologies, understanding the distinctions between NGINX and Apache, alongside the essentials of database management using SQL and NoSQL. The step-by-step approach ensures a robust understanding of the back-end infrastructure that powers cloud systems.

In the final sections, you’ll focus on advanced topics like scaling cloud resources, implementing firewalls, and securing your servers using industry best practices. Whether you're installing LAMP stacks or enabling network firewalls, the course equips you with the tools and knowledge necessary to manage and expand cloud infrastructures efficiently. With its balance of theory and practical tasks, this course prepares you to handle real-world cloud environments confidently.

This course is designed for IT professionals, system administrators, and developers looking to expand their cloud computing expertise. Prior experience with Linux and basic networking concepts is recommended but not required.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Cloud Computing
In this module, we will cover the basics of cloud computing, its key advantages, and the foundational service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS). You will learn about the essential resources, virtual instances, and how cloud computing supports modern business operations.
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Cloud Computing Service Models
In this module, we will dive deeper into the three primary cloud computing service models: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). We will examine how each model supports different types of workloads and compare their features.
Cloud Server Deployment on Linode
In this module, we will walk through the steps of setting up and managing a Linode cloud server. You'll learn how to secure your instance with SSH authentication, deploy virtual servers, and connect remotely using multiple methods. This hands-on guide will build your cloud server administration skills.
Linux Foundations
In this module, we will introduce Linux, its file system, and common administrative tasks. You will learn essential Linux commands, how to create and secure user accounts, and how to perform basic server configurations. This module is foundational for managing Linux-based cloud environments.
Web Server and Database Foundations
In this module, we will explore the essential components of web servers and databases. You’ll learn about web hosting options, key differences between NGINX and Apache, and how SQL and NoSQL databases operate. This knowledge is critical for anyone building and maintaining cloud-hosted applications.
LAMP Stack Installation and Configuration
In this module, we will guide you through installing and configuring a LAMP stack on an Ubuntu server, both through the command line and using the Linode Marketplace. You'll also learn to test PHP integration with MariaDB and remotely manage your server using Linode tools.
Foundations of Server Security
In this module, we will focus on server security fundamentals, including firewalls and SSH best practices. You’ll learn how to configure network firewalls, apply security rules, and protect server access, ensuring the integrity and safety of your cloud environments.
Server Scaling
In this module, we will examine the methods and best practices for scaling cloud servers. You will learn when to use vertical scaling for capacity increases and how to implement horizontal scaling with auto load balancers for optimal performance under growing workloads.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, covering foundational concepts, service models, and practical applications, which is ideal for those looking to expand their expertise
Balances theory with practical tasks, equipping learners with the tools and knowledge to confidently handle real-world cloud environments, which is essential for career advancement
Covers server management and security, including Linux fundamentals, secure SSH authentication, and locking down server access, which are critical skills for protecting cloud infrastructures
Explores web server technologies, such as NGINX and Apache, alongside database management using SQL and NoSQL, which are essential for building and maintaining cloud-hosted applications
Teaches LAMP stack installation and configuration on an Ubuntu server, both through the command line and using the Linode Marketplace, which is a practical skill for managing web applications
Recommends prior experience with Linux and basic networking concepts, which may require beginners to invest additional time in foundational learning before starting this course

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Comprehensive Cloud Computing Foundations with these activities:
Review Basic Networking Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of networking fundamentals to better grasp cloud infrastructure concepts.
Browse courses on TCP/IP
Show steps
  • Review the OSI model and its layers.
  • Practice subnetting calculations.
  • Research common networking protocols.
Practice Basic Linux Commands
Practice essential Linux commands to prepare for server management tasks in the cloud.
Browse courses on CD
Show steps
  • Complete a Linux command line tutorial.
  • Practice file and directory manipulation.
  • Experiment with user and permission management.
Read 'The Practice of System and Network Administration'
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to system and network administration.
View The Practice of System and Network... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters on server management and security.
  • Take notes on key concepts and best practices.
  • Apply the concepts to your Linode instance.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Deploy a Simple Web Application
Apply your knowledge by deploying a simple web application on your Linode server.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple web application framework.
  • Set up a web server and database.
  • Deploy the application and test its functionality.
  • Secure the application with HTTPS.
Document Your Cloud Deployment Process
Solidify your understanding by documenting the steps you took to deploy and configure your cloud environment.
Show steps
  • Outline the steps involved in setting up your Linode server.
  • Document the configuration of your web server and database.
  • Include screenshots and code snippets to illustrate your process.
  • Publish your documentation on a blog or wiki.
Read 'Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology, & Architecture'
Expand your knowledge with a comprehensive overview of cloud computing concepts and technologies.
View Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters on cloud architectures and security.
  • Take notes on key concepts and technologies.
  • Relate the concepts to your Linode deployment.
Explore Advanced Linode Features
Deepen your expertise by exploring advanced features on Linode, such as load balancing and object storage.
Show steps
  • Follow tutorials on setting up load balancers.
  • Experiment with object storage for data backup.
  • Implement monitoring and alerting for your server.
Contribute to an Open Source Cloud Project
Contribute to an open-source cloud project to gain practical experience and collaborate with other developers.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source cloud project on GitHub.
  • Identify a bug or feature to work on.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.
  • Participate in code reviews and discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Comprehensive Cloud Computing Foundations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Engineer
A Cloud Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, and management of an organization's cloud infrastructure. This role requires a strong understanding of cloud service models, such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, which this course covers in detail. The course's hands-on components, including deploying virtual instances on Linode and administering them securely, directly contribute to the practical skills a cloud engineer uses daily. In addition, the course tackles server management, security, and scaling, which are all integral aspects of a cloud engineer's responsibilities. Learning how to configure user accounts, enable secure SSH access, and manage firewalls helps build a foundation in cloud security, a critical skill for a systems engineer. This course also covers web server technologies such as NGINX and Apache, and database management with SQL and NoSQL, which a cloud engineer should know.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator is responsible for maintaining and managing computer systems, servers, and networks. This course helps build a strong foundation in Linux, which is the primary operating system for a large number of servers. The course teaches how to configure user accounts, ensuring that a system administrator can manage access to servers. It also covers essential tasks such as applying security rules and implementing network firewalls, which are needed to protect cloud environments. An administrator must also have an understanding of web server technologies like NGINX and Apache, as well as the fundamentals of database management, which are all covered in this course. The hands-on experience of deploying virtual instances and setting up cloud accounts on Linode will help give prospective system administrators real-world exposure to practical tasks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer focuses on automating and streamlining the software development and deployment process. This requires a strong understanding of cloud resources and how to manage them, as covered in this course. This course helps a prospective DevOps engineer understand different cloud deployment methods and the nuances of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. In addition, the course explores scaling cloud servers and implementing load balancers, which are essential skills for handling growing workloads. The course also delves into server management, including Linux fundamentals, web server technologies, and database management, all of which are necessary when building and maintaining applications. This course helps a prospective DevOps engineer to understand server security, including how to implement firewalls and enable secure SSH access.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Cloud Solutions Architect
Cloud Solutions Architects design and plan cloud computing solutions for organizations. This requires a comprehensive understanding of cloud service models and technologies, which are covered in detail in this course. The course helps provide the fundamental knowledge of cloud resources, virtual instances, and cloud delivery models that a solutions architect needs. The course's focus, in particular, on aspects such as configuring firewalls and securing server access are especially relevant. This course helps a prospective solutions architect understand scaling cloud resources and the technologies involved in web servers and databases. This course lays out a framework for cloud implementations, a key component of a cloud solutions architect's work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Solutions Architect
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing an organization's networks. This role benefits from a solid grasp of how cloud networking works. The course provides practical experience in administering servers, configuring user accounts, and setting up secure authentication, all of which are important when configuring and maintaining aspects of cloud networks. The course also delves into practical aspects of server security, including implementing firewalls and securing server access, which a Network Engineer will implement. This course also introduces web server technologies like NGINX and Apache, which are often important for network engineers. In addition, understanding cloud scaling methods are relevant to network load balancing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator is in charge of maintaining and managing databases for an organization. The course introduces the fundamentals of database management including both SQL and NoSQL databases. The course also explores the overall environment of a database, which is often in a cloud environment. The techniques you learn, like how to implement firewalls and secure servers, are important skills for a database administrator who deploys databases in the cloud. This course helps provide the necessary knowledge for individuals who work with databases in the cloud. The course is useful because it provides an understanding of web server technologies and how they relate to databases.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Web Application Developer
Web Application Developers focus on creating and maintaining applications that run on the web. This role benefits from an understanding of the infrastructure that supports web applications. The course explores the configuration and installation of LAMP stacks on Ubuntu servers, which are the types of technologies a developer would work with. The course also provides an understanding of server management, which allows a web application developer to understand the underlying tech stack that powers their applications. This course covers the fundamentals of web servers and databases. A web application developer should also be familiar with basic security protocols.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Application Developer
Technical Support Specialist
A Technical Support Specialist provides assistance to end-users who encounter technical problems. This course may be useful for tech support roles that deal with cloud-based issues. The course introduces key concepts regarding cloud computing service models, such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. This is useful for understanding the different user interfaces that will be used by technical support teams. The course provides a background in server management, which can help support specialists understand the user end experience. This course may be useful for support specialists that will troubleshoot or maintain cloud-based applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist
IT Project Manager
An IT Project Manager oversees the planning, implementation, and completion of technology projects. This role requires a good understanding of I.T. infrastructure, such as cloud services, to effectively manage projects. This course helps build a foundation in cloud service models, such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, which are critical for managing IT projects that involve cloud technology. The course provides knowledge of server management, security, and scaling, which is useful for project managers when interacting with technical specialists and vendors. The course may provide helpful insight for IT project managers who are working on a web application or cloud project.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager
IT Consultant
An IT Consultant provides expert advice to organizations on how to use technology to meet their business goals. This role benefits from understanding how cloud computing can be implemented in organizations. The course introduces various cloud service models, as well as practical experience in implementing virtual instances and managing cloud accounts. The course may be helpful for consultants advising on server management, security, and scaling options. This class also introduces web server technologies and databases, which might be needed in various client projects. This course may be useful for IT consultants working with cloud-based technologies.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This role benefits from an understanding of the infrastructure on which software runs. This course introduces key concepts of cloud service models, server management, web servers, databases, and scaling. Therefore, it may be useful for a software engineer to have a general understanding of this material. This course may be helpful for a software engineer who works with cloud-based applications, because it introduces many of the technologies that they work with in their deployments. Understanding the basics of server security can also be helpful for a software engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst examines datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can be used to make business decisions. This course may be useful because it introduces the concepts of databases. Data is often stored in cloud environments, so familiarity with cloud computing may also be useful. The course may be helpful if databases are part of a data analyst's work. An understanding of server security can also be helpful in a data analyst's day to day work with data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation for technical products and services. This course may be useful for technical writers who may need to document cloud-based products. The course introduces cloud service models, as well as hands-on practical activities such as deploying virtual instances and administering them. Technical writers can use this experience and knowledge to better understand and translate these technical concepts into user documentation. This course may be useful for technical writers who create documentation for cloud based applications, services, and products.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst is responsible for planning and implementing security measures to protect an organization's computer systems and networks. This course may be useful because it introduces the server security fundamentals, including firewalls and SSH best practices. This course may help an information security analyst better understand server security. The course also tackles securing user accounts and implementing network firewalls, which are relevant to securing a server. The course may be useful for a prospective information security analyst when evaluating and considering cloud based infrastructures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst
Sales Engineer
A Sales Engineer uses technical knowledge to support the sales process. This role benefits from a basic understanding of cloud computing as it may be a technology they need to sell. The course may provide foundational knowledge of cloud service models, server management, and security. A Sales Engineer may find this course useful as a way to gain a basic understanding of the technology they are selling. The coursework in web servers and databases may also be useful for a sales engineer when discussing technology with prospective clients. This course may be useful for a sales engineer who is selling cloud based products.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Comprehensive Cloud Computing Foundations.
Cover image
Cloud Computing
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing concepts, technologies, and architectures. It covers a wide range of topics, including service models, deployment models, virtualization, security, and governance. It valuable resource for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of cloud computing. This book is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...
Hardcover
$$
(中文) Cloud Computing: Concepts. Technology and...
Paperback
$$
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Practice of System and Network Administration
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to system and network administration, covering a wide range of topics relevant to cloud computing. It offers practical advice and best practices for managing servers, networks, and infrastructure. While not strictly focused on cloud, it provides a solid foundation for understanding the underlying principles. It valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of system administration.
The Practice of System and Network Administration,...
Paperback
$$
Practice of System and Network Administration, The:...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
Packt
Instructor
Packt - Course Instructors
Session
January 13, 2025 - February 10, 2025
Language
English
Good to know
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, covering foundational concepts, service models, and practical applications, which is ideal for those looking to expand their expertise
Balances theory with practical tasks, equipping learners with the tools and knowledge to confidently handle real-world cloud environments, which is essential for career advancement
Covers server management and security, including Linux fundamentals, secure SSH authentication, and locking down server access, which are critical skills for protecting cloud infrastructures
Explores web server technologies, such as NGINX and Apache, alongside database management using SQL and NoSQL, which are essential for building and maintaining cloud-hosted applications
Teaches LAMP stack installation and configuration on an Ubuntu server, both through the command line and using the Linode Marketplace, which is a practical skill for managing web applications
Recommends prior experience with Linux and basic networking concepts, which may require beginners to invest additional time in foundational learning before starting this course
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