Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

 Introduction to Monitoring for Applications

This week, you will be introduced to application monitoring, common terms used in monitoring, and why monitoring matters to developers. You'll also learn about the types of monitoring that give you visibility into app performance and connected information technology (IT) systems. You'll become familiar with the four Golden Signals of Monitoring and learn to use the Golden Signals to improve your monitoring systems. Then, you will explore the differences between the Monitoring and Evaluation processes. You'll learn that monitoring is a routine, ongoing process, while evaluation is a long-term process. You'll learn more about the components of monitoring, including metrics, observability, and alerts. You'll also explore the importance of tracking host-based, application, network and connectivity, and server pool metrics. Finally, you'll learn about the need for application monitoring and its importance.

Monitoring Systems and Techniques

This week, you will learn about synthetic monitoring and its importance. You’ll also explore the synthetic monitoring tools, their uses, as well as features. You will gain insights into how application monitoring allows developers to observe applications and how monitoring can provide valuable insights into application performance. You’ll learn about Prometheus and the benefits of using an analytics tool. You’ll also learn about Grafana, which is typically used with Prometheus. You’ll explore how a visualization tool, like Grafana, can organize all of your monitoring data. Additionally, you’ll discover how the right visualization tool can help your organization and that visualization includes many options, like charts, graphs, and timelines. Finally, you’ll learn about alerting, the responsive part of a monitoring system, and you’ll learn about the metric, log, activity log, and smart detection alerts.

Methodologies and Tools in Logging

In this module, you will explore the concept of application logging and its importance. You will discover the benefits of using log monitoring tools and their features. Further, you will be introduced to distributed logging and tracing techniques. You’ll also learn about the key concepts in distributed tracing and the steps to implement distributed logging. You will explore how to implement logging and the different types of logs. You will gain insight into formatting, parsing, and retention of logs. Further, you will identify the major reasons to store log data. You will explore the analytical dimensions that suggest how long the retention period for log data should be. You will also learn about a few best practices for storing logs. Further, you will explore Mezmo, its use cases, and its features. Finally, you will be introduced to working with Mezmo and the methods for ingesting log data on the Mezmo platform.

Observability and Concepts

In this module, you will learn about observability, its benefits, and the three pillars of observability. You’ll explore the concept of cloud native observability, its tools, and the pillars of cloud enterprise observability Further, you will be introduced to the concept of sampling in logging and its advantages and disadvantages and also learn about Instana and its use cases. You will gain insights into Telemetry and explain its importance and benefits. You will discover the working of telemetry and the steps to implement it in application development. You will also differentiate between distributed tracing and telemetry while learning about popular telemetry and distributed tracing tools. You will explore why tracing for container applications is required and the best practices for implementing tracing in application development.

Final Project and Assessment

In this module, you’ll complete two practice projects where you'll be able to apply monitoring and observability skills using applicable tools. In the first part, you will create and set up an Instana account to explore the credentials for application and infrastructure monitoring. You will also get the opportunity to create an Instana dashboard and a website and save their credentials for future use. In the next part, you will explore Instana to monitor an application named Robotshop using Docker. You will delve into the process of connecting the Robotshop application with Instana for efficient monitoring and analysis. Using Docker commands in the terminal, you will establish a seamless connection between the Instana dashboard and the Robotshop application. This hands-on practice project will equip you with the knowledge and skills to monitor your application's performance effectively and make data-driven decisions to optimize its efficiency.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners, which helps learners get a solid understanding of application monitoring and observability

Taught by John Rofrano and Ramanujam Srinivasan, who are recognized for their work in the IT industry

Develops skills in monitoring and observability, which are core skills for DevOps professionals

Offers comprehensive study of application monitoring and observability concepts and tools

Provides hands-on labs and interactive materials, which allow learners to apply their knowledge practically

Covers the three pillars of observability, which is highly relevant to cloud native observability practices

This course help learners apply their skills through a final project and assessment, which ensures practical understanding

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 Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps with these activities:

Review logging and tracing fundamentals

Show steps

Logging and tracing are essential for monitoring and observability. Reviewing these fundamentals will help you better understand the concepts and techniques covered in the course.

Browse courses on Logging

Show steps

Review the concepts of logging and tracing
Practice using logging and tracing tools

Read 'Site Reliability Engineering' by Betsy Beyer

Show steps

Reading this book will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of site reliability engineering, which is essential for effective monitoring and observability.

View Site Reliability Engineering: How Google Runs... on Amazon

Show steps

Read Chapter 1: Introduction to SRE
Read Chapter 2: The Four Golden Signals
Read Chapter 3: Error Budgets

Follow tutorials on OpenTelemetry

Show steps

OpenTelemetry is a powerful tool for collecting telemetry data, which is essential for observability. Following tutorials on OpenTelemetry will help you learn how to use this tool effectively.

Browse courses on OpenTelemetry

Show steps

Find tutorials on OpenTelemetry
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Create code snippets on monitoring

Show steps

Practice writing code snippets for common monitoring tasks, which will help you build a strong foundation in monitoring.

Browse courses on Monitoring

Show steps

Review basic monitoring concepts
Create code snippets for different monitoring tools
Test your code snippets

Attend a meetup or conference on monitoring and observability

Show steps

Attending a meetup or conference on monitoring and observability will allow you to connect with other professionals in the field and learn about the latest trends.

Browse courses on Monitoring

Show steps

Find a meetup or conference on monitoring and observability
Register for the event
Attend the event

Attend a workshop on monitoring and observability

Show steps

Attending a workshop on monitoring and observability will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts in the field and ask questions.

Browse courses on Monitoring

Show steps

Find a workshop on monitoring and observability
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop

Set up monitoring for a personal project

Show steps

Setting up monitoring for a personal project will allow you to apply the concepts you learn in the course to a real-world scenario, which will help you solidify your understanding.

Browse courses on Application Monitoring

Show steps

Choose a personal project to monitor
Install Prometheus and Grafana
Configure Prometheus to collect metrics from your project
Create dashboards in Grafana to visualize your metrics
Monitor your project and respond to alerts

Write a blog post about your experiences with monitoring

Show steps

Writing a blog post about your experiences with monitoring will help you reflect on what you have learned and share your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on Monitoring

Show steps

Choose a topic for your blog post
Write the content for your blog post
Publish your blog post

Career center

Learners who complete Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between development and operations teams. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', aligns perfectly with the DevOps mindset, as it emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and observability for seamless software delivery. By mastering the techniques taught in this course, DevOps Engineers can effectively monitor and analyze application performance, ensuring smooth operations and快速, reliable software updates.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Application Performance Engineer

Application Performance Engineers specialize in optimizing the performance and scalability of software applications. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides a comprehensive understanding of monitoring and observability techniques, enabling Application Performance Engineers to effectively track and analyze application behavior. By leveraging the concepts and tools introduced in the course, Application Performance Engineers can identify performance bottlenecks, optimize resource utilization, and ensure a seamless user experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Performance Engineer

Performance Analyst

Performance Analysts measure, analyze, and improve the performance of software systems. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides Performance Analysts with a comprehensive understanding of monitoring and observability techniques, enabling them to effectively track and analyze system performance. The course covers essential concepts such as performance metrics, performance testing, and performance optimization, enabling Performance Analysts to identify and eliminate performance bottlenecks, ensuring optimal system performance for end-users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers build and maintain software applications, ensuring their efficiency and performance. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides a comprehensive understanding of monitoring and observability techniques, enabling Software Engineers to effectively track and analyze the behavior of their applications. By leveraging the concepts and tools introduced in the course, Software Engineers can enhance application reliability, identify performance bottlenecks, and proactively address issues that may arise.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Site Reliability Engineer

Site Reliability Engineers (SREs) are responsible for ensuring the reliability and uptime of IT systems. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides SREs with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively monitor and observe the performance of complex IT systems. The course covers essential concepts such as metrics, logging, and tracing, enabling SREs to proactively identify and resolve issues, ensuring system stability and minimizing downtime.

See salaries and explore the career path for Site Reliability Engineer

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators manage and maintain computer systems and networks. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides Systems Administrators with a solid understanding of monitoring and observability techniques, enabling them to effectively track and analyze the performance of their systems. The course covers essential concepts such as system metrics, resource management, and performance optimization, enabling Systems Administrators to proactively identify and resolve system issues, ensuring the smooth operation of their systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Quality Assurance Engineer

Quality Assurance Engineers ensure the quality and reliability of software products. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides Quality Assurance Engineers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively monitor and observe the quality of their software products. The course covers essential concepts such as test metrics, test automation, and defect tracking, enabling Quality Assurance Engineers to proactively identify and resolve quality issues, ensuring the delivery of high-quality software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design, deploy, and manage cloud-based solutions. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides Cloud Architects with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively monitor and observe the performance of cloud-based applications and infrastructure. The course covers cloud-native monitoring tools and techniques, enabling Cloud Architects to ensure the reliability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of their cloud deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides Network Engineers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively monitor and observe the performance of their networks. The course covers essential concepts such as network metrics, network traffic analysis, and network security, enabling Network Engineers to proactively identify and resolve network issues, ensuring reliable and secure network connectivity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, implement, and maintain complex IT systems. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', offers a solid foundation in monitoring and observability techniques, empowering Systems Engineers to ensure the reliability and performance of the systems they oversee. The course covers industry-standard tools and methodologies, enabling Systems Engineers to proactively monitor system health, identify potential issues, and implement effective remediation strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Security Engineer

Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems and solutions. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides Security Engineers with a solid understanding of monitoring and observability techniques, enabling them to effectively track and analyze the security posture of their systems and networks. The course covers essential concepts such as security metrics, log analysis, and threat detection, enabling Security Engineers to proactively identify and mitigate security risks, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides Business Analysts with a solid understanding of monitoring and observability techniques, enabling them to effectively track and analyze the performance of business processes. The course covers essential concepts such as business metrics, process mapping, and data analysis, enabling Business Analysts to make data-driven recommendations for process improvements, leading to increased efficiency and effectiveness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design, build, and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', provides Data Engineers with a solid understanding of monitoring and observability techniques, enabling them to effectively track and analyze the performance of their data systems. The course covers essential concepts such as metrics, logging, and tracing, enabling Data Engineers to proactively identify and resolve issues, ensuring data availability and quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', may be helpful to Project Managers who wish to gain insights into the monitoring and observability of software development projects. The course covers essential concepts such as project metrics, risk management, and stakeholder management, enabling Project Managers to better track project progress, identify potential risks, and keep stakeholders informed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation for software products and systems. This course, 'Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps', may be helpful to Technical Writers who wish to gain insights into the monitoring and observability of software systems. The course covers essential concepts such as metrics, logging, and tracing, enabling Technical Writers to better understand the technical aspects of software systems and convey this information clearly and effectively in their documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer