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Cloud Computing Fundamentals

Mohamed Rhim

Today we hear about many IT fields which are growing very fast and are the future of our world, Big Data, IoT, Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and many others,...

All these technologies could not exist or evolve without the presence of Cloud Computing.

We enter the new era of technology where cloud computing will play an important role.

In this course we will start by defining Cloud Computing and its history.

Then we will see the different cloud service models: Iaas, Paas and Saas.

Read more

Today we hear about many IT fields which are growing very fast and are the future of our world, Big Data, IoT, Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and many others,...

All these technologies could not exist or evolve without the presence of Cloud Computing.

We enter the new era of technology where cloud computing will play an important role.

In this course we will start by defining Cloud Computing and its history.

Then we will see the different cloud service models: Iaas, Paas and Saas.

After that we will describe the cloud computing deployment models: Public cloud, Private cloud and hybrid cloud.

Then we will discover the best practices to benefit from Cloud Computing Services.

And we cannot speak about cloud computing without speaking about the challenges you will face if you want to move your infrastructure to cloud.

We will focus on the security of cloud computing and the challenges around it as the security nowadays is very critical aspect and we will see some cybersecurity attacks.

Another important point is what are the strategies to follow to enhance the security of your cloud computing environment.

This course will give you general information about cloud computing without discussing a specific cloud solution like AWS or Azure, but at the same time we will have an idea about the most popular cloud computing solutions and providers.

And we will see how to choose between the various cloud solutions for our business.

And I prepared for you a bonus section in which you will learn how to install your cloud environment at your home in a few steps and in few minutes.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • During this course you will gain an introduction to the cloud computing world.
  • You will be able to define the cloud computing and all the aspects linked to it.
  • You will know the big players in the cloud computing field and their different services provided by their cloud computing solutions.
  • You will discover the most important challenges when moving to cloud computing
  • You will gain best practices to secure your cloud computing environment
  • You will know how to buil your cloud environment at home

Syllabus

Welcome to cloud computing course
in this section I will introduce myself and the course content
After completing this section you will be able to define cloud computing.
Read more
Cloud computing Historical Overview
On the road to cloud computing: Virtualization & Containerization
Are we using cloud computing?
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud Computing First Quiz
After the completion of this section you will be able to describe the different models of cloud computing.
Cloud Service Models overview
Pizza as a service model
What is IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service?
What is Paas: Platform as a Service ?
What is SaaS: Software as a Service?

This quiz will test your ability to distinguish between the different model of cloud computing

After the completion of this section you will be able to describe the different deployment models of cloud computing.
Cloud Computing Deployment Models Overview
Public Cloud
Private Cloud
Hybrid Cloud
Which cloud model should you choose?

This quiz will test your ability to distinguish between the different deployment model of cloud computing

After the completion of this section you will learn the best practices to benefit from cloud computing
Introduction
Which cloud Provider is the Best for your Needs
Conclusion
Best Practices to benefit from Cloud Computing Services Quiz
After the completion of this section you will be able to describe the different challenges that faces any one or company who wants to move to Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing Challenges intro
Security
Managing Cloud Spend
Governance
Lack of resources and/or expertise
Compliance
BYOL: Bring Your Own License
Managing Multi-Cloud
Cloud Migration
Cloud Computing Challenges
Cloud Computing Security: Issues Identified by CSA
What is Cloud Security?
CSA Cloud Security Alliance
Cloud Computing Security Issues Identified by CSA
Data Breaches
Misconfiguration and Inadequate Change Control
Lack of Cloud Security Architecture and Strategy
Insufficient Identity, Credentials and Access Management
Account Hijacking
Insider Threat
Insecure Interfaces and APIs
Weak Control Plane
Metastructure and Applistructure Failures
Limited Cloud Usage Visibility
Abuse and Nefarious Use of Cloud Services
Keep in mind!!!
Cyber Attacks In Action
Cloud Computing Security
Cloud Computing Security Strategies
Cloud Computing Security Strategies: Overview
End-to-end data encryption
Secure Data Transfers
Local Data Backups
Distributed Denial-Of-Service Protections
Vulnerability Assessments
Access Management
Keep in Mind!!!
Quiz: Cloud Computing Security Strategies
After this section you will have known the best commercial and opensource cloud solutions and you will be able to choose the best for your business
Amazon Web Services
Microsoft Azure

Openstack in one of the most famous opensource cloud solution.

For more details you can visit their website https://www.openstack.org/

About the Packstack version of openstack here you can find the installation guide and all the possible deployment model of this solution: https://www.rdoproject.org/install/packstack/

This video present the Apache Cloudstack solution.

For more details about installation and details you can visit their website https://cloudstack.apache.org/

Open source or Commercial: Which one to adopt?
After this section you will be able to install Devstack (cloud solution based on Openstack) in your laptop or server and enjoy your own private cloud

In this video I tried to guide you step by step until the installation of Devstack: one of the openstack version.

After this video you will able to deploy openstack in your Laptop or your server and enjoy using your Private Cloud.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundational understanding of cloud computing, which is essential for navigating today's IT landscape and emerging technologies like AI and IoT
Explores IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models, which are critical for making informed decisions about cloud adoption and service selection within an organization
Addresses cloud security challenges and strategies, which are vital for protecting data and infrastructure in cloud environments and mitigating potential risks
Avoids focusing on specific cloud solutions like AWS or Azure, which allows learners to gain a general understanding applicable across different platforms
Includes a bonus section on installing a cloud environment at home, which offers a hands-on learning experience and allows for practical exploration of cloud concepts
Features a section on installing Devstack, a cloud solution based on Openstack, which may require learners to consult external documentation for installation guidance

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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 Cloud Computing Fundamentals with these activities:
Review Virtualization Concepts
Solidify your understanding of virtualization, a foundational technology for cloud computing, to better grasp the underlying infrastructure concepts.
Browse courses on Virtualization
Show steps
  • Review the different types of virtualization.
  • Understand the role of hypervisors.
  • Compare virtualization with containerization.
Read 'Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture'
Gain a deeper understanding of cloud computing concepts and architectures by reading a comprehensive book on the subject.
View Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to service models and deployment models.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
  • Reflect on how the concepts apply to real-world scenarios.
Create a Cloud Service Comparison Chart
Reinforce your understanding of different cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) by creating a comparison chart highlighting their key features and use cases.
Show steps
  • Research the features of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
  • Create a table comparing the models based on key criteria.
  • Include real-world examples of each model.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'Cloud Security: A Comprehensive Guide to Secure Cloud Computing'
Expand your understanding of cloud security issues and strategies by reading a comprehensive guide on the subject.
View Cloud Security: A Comprehensive Guide to Secure... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Focus on chapters related to security issues and strategies.
  • Take notes on key vulnerabilities and mitigation techniques.
  • Consider how these concepts apply to real-world cloud environments.
Deploy a Simple Web Application on a Cloud Platform
Gain hands-on experience with cloud platforms by deploying a simple web application, solidifying your understanding of PaaS and IaaS.
Show steps
  • Choose a cloud platform (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
  • Set up an account and configure the necessary services.
  • Deploy a simple web application (e.g., a static website or a basic API).
  • Monitor the application's performance and resource usage.
Develop a Cloud Security Checklist
Deepen your knowledge of cloud security by creating a checklist of security best practices for different cloud deployment models.
Show steps
  • Research cloud security best practices.
  • Categorize the practices by deployment model (Public, Private, Hybrid).
  • Create a checklist with actionable steps.
Follow Cloud Migration Tutorials
Learn practical cloud migration techniques by following online tutorials, addressing a key challenge discussed in the course.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on migrating applications to the cloud.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial to migrate a sample application.
  • Document the challenges and solutions encountered.

Career center

Learners who complete Cloud Computing Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Security Engineer
A Cloud Security Engineer focuses on protecting cloud-based systems and data, and is critical for any organization using cloud services. This role involves identifying security issues, implementing security measures, and responding to security incidents. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course is a strong fit for this career path, as it includes modules on cloud security challenges, cybersecurity attacks, and how to enhance the security of a cloud computing environment. Specifically, the course discusses strategies such as end-to-end data encryption and access management. In addition, the course explores the threats identified by the Cloud Security Alliance, a crucial tool for a cloud security engineer. Taking this course would provide a solid foundation in dealing with the unique security issues in cloud computing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Solutions Architect
A Cloud Solutions Architect designs and implements cloud computing strategies for organizations. This role requires a deep understanding of various cloud service models, deployment models, and security best practices, all of which are covered in the Cloud Computing Fundamentals course. To be effective, a cloud solutions architect must understand the challenges of moving infrastructure to the cloud, as well as methods for enhancing security in this environment. This course provides foundational knowledge and introduces the most popular cloud computing solutions. A learner will also gain experience setting up their own cloud environment. This is critical in the career of a cloud solutions architect.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Solutions Architect
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst protects an organization's computer systems and networks from threats, which increasingly includes cloud environments. This role requires a deep understanding of cybersecurity risks and how to implement protective measures. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course is very useful due to its focus on cloud security. The course covers topics ranging from cybersecurity attacks to strategies for enhancing cloud security. A security analyst will be very interested in the threats identified by the Cloud Security Alliance. The course provides the knowledge necessary to help a security analyst work to protect a cloud environment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst
IT Manager
An IT Manager oversees the information technology infrastructure of an organization, which increasingly includes cloud services. This role requires an understanding of cloud computing concepts, deployment models, and security best practices. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be useful as it introduces these concepts. This course also covers the challenges that companies face when moving to the cloud, which provides a perspective that may be helpful for an IT manager. Understanding different cloud services, providers, and deployment models is also helpful. In addition, the course covers some basics about setting up a cloud environment, which could be valuable in the career of an IT manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager
Cloud Systems Administrator
A Cloud Systems Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of cloud infrastructure. This role includes tasks like monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring the secure operation of cloud resources. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be useful as it covers essential topics for cloud administration and security. It provides a general understanding of cloud computing concepts, service models, and deployment models, in addition to discussing common challenges and security implications. Further, the course describes the most popular cloud computing solutions and providers. A learner will also gain hands-on experience installing a cloud environment, which would greatly assist a cloud systems administrator in their responsibilities.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Systems Administrator
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer automates and streamlines the software development lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on cloud infrastructure. This role requires a broad understanding of cloud platforms, deployment models, and security best practices. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be useful because it introduces these key concepts. It covers topics like different cloud service and deployment models, and security challenges. Additionally, the course discusses the most popular cloud solutions, which DevOps engineers must be familiar with. A learner will also gain hands-on experience setting up their own cloud environment, which would be valuable in the role of a DevOps engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Cloud Consultant
A Cloud Consultant advises organizations on how to best leverage cloud computing to meet their business goals. This role requires a broad understanding of cloud platforms, service models, and deployment strategies. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course provides an excellent introduction to these key areas. It will help build a foundation in cloud computing by covering cloud definitions, history, and different service and deployment models. The course also helps learners understand the challenges of moving to the cloud, and ways to enhance security in that environment. This course may be useful for a cloud consultant, especially one starting in their career. In addition, this course introduces the most common cloud providers, and goes over how to choose between them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Consultant
Systems Analyst
A Systems Analyst reviews and improves computer systems and processes within an organization, and often deals with cloud systems. This role requires an understanding of cloud concepts, service models, and security implications. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be useful, as it offers a general overview of these areas. A systems analyst would also benefit from the course's coverage of the challenges of cloud migration and security. This course also introduces the most popular cloud providers and environments. This course may be useful to a systems analyst who wants to better understand cloud solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst
Technical Support Specialist
A Technical Support Specialist assists users with technical issues, and this now includes cloud-related issues. This role requires knowledge of cloud services and the ability to troubleshoot cloud-based systems. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be useful as it introduces key concepts like cloud computing definitions, service models, and deployment models. A strong understanding of security strategies, covered in the course, may help a technical support specialist. The information about common cloud solutions and the practical experience of setting up a cloud environment could be valuable in performing the duties of a technical support specialist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer designs and maintains the communication networks of an organization, which now often includes cloud networks. This role requires a solid understanding of cloud infrastructure, security, and best practices for network design in the cloud. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be helpful as it covers the basics of cloud computing, deployment models, and security. A network engineer would be expected to be familiar with topics such as cloud security challenges. The course's discussion of the most popular cloud platforms and methods to deploy a private cloud could be beneficial to a network engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
Data Engineer
A Data Engineer builds and maintains the infrastructure for data storage and processing, which often entails cloud technologies. This role requires a good understanding of cloud platforms and how to deploy data solutions in the cloud. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be helpful for a data engineer, as it provides an introduction to cloud concepts, deployment models, and common cloud providers. Data engineers who use cloud services will benefit from learning about the challenges of cloud migration, covered in this course. The experience of setting up a home cloud environment may be a useful starting point.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer
Software Developer
A Software Developer designs and creates software applications, and may use cloud-based services. This role requires knowledge of how to leverage cloud platforms, as well as how to deploy software in the cloud. Software developers may find the Cloud Computing Fundamentals course helpful for gaining an introduction to cloud computing concepts, service models, and deployment methods. They would also find the information on cloud security helpful. Software developers who need to deploy their applications on the cloud would benefit from this course. In addition, the course introduces the most common commercial and open source cloud platforms.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases, which are often part of cloud environments. This role requires an understanding of cloud database services, security concerns, and how to optimize database performance in the cloud. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be useful because it introduces the basic concepts of cloud computing, service models, and deployment models. This course also covers cloud security, and database administrators must be aware of the special security concerns related to data storage in the cloud. This course may be useful for a database administrator seeking a better understanding of cloud technologies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans and oversees projects which increasingly involve cloud technologies. This role requires a broad understanding of cloud concepts, deployment models, and the challenges associated with cloud projects. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be helpful for a project manager who wants to learn more about cloud computing. This course introduces the basic concepts of cloud computing, service, deployment models, and the challenges of migrating to the cloud. Project managers also need to understand the main cloud providers, which are covered in this course. It may be useful to study this material for a project manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Chief Technology Officer
A Chief Technology Officer is a senior executive who is responsible for the technological direction of a company. This role requires a broad understanding of all technologies used by a company, including cloud. The Cloud Computing Fundamentals course may be useful for an executive who wishes to better understand cloud computing. The course provides a high-level overview of cloud computing concepts, service models, and deployment models. In addition, they will gain perspective on the challenges of moving to the cloud, and security considerations. The course also introduces popular solutions and providers. A CTO may find it useful to have this background knowledge.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer

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 Cloud Computing Fundamentals.
Cover image
Cloud Computing
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing concepts, technologies, and architectural patterns. It serves as an excellent reference for understanding the different cloud service and deployment models. The book also delves into cloud security and governance, which are crucial aspects covered in the course. It is commonly used as a textbook in cloud computing courses.
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...
Hardcover
$$
(中文) Cloud Computing: Concepts. Technology and...
Paperback
$$
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Cloud Security: A Comprehensive Guide To Secure...
Save
Provides a deep dive into cloud security challenges and strategies. It covers topics such as data breaches, access management, and compliance. It is particularly useful for understanding the security issues identified by the CSA (Cloud Security Alliance). This book adds more depth to the cloud security aspects covered in the course.
Cloud Security: A Comprehensive Guide to Secure...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Effort
3 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Mohamed Rhim
Language
English
Good to know
Provides a foundational understanding of cloud computing, which is essential for navigating today's IT landscape and emerging technologies like AI and IoT
Explores IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models, which are critical for making informed decisions about cloud adoption and service selection within an organization
Addresses cloud security challenges and strategies, which are vital for protecting data and infrastructure in cloud environments and mitigating potential risks
Avoids focusing on specific cloud solutions like AWS or Azure, which allows learners to gain a general understanding applicable across different platforms
Includes a bonus section on installing a cloud environment at home, which offers a hands-on learning experience and allows for practical exploration of cloud concepts
Features a section on installing Devstack, a cloud solution based on Openstack, which may require learners to consult external documentation for installation guidance
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