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Cloud Systems Software

Umakishore Ramchandran

This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud. It explains multiple topics, including: scalable distributed data stores, resource management (for supporting multi-tenancy and elasticity) and virtualization techniques. Optionally, the student will also be guided in the implementation of a basic version of the distributed runtime system for the Map-Reduce programming framework

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What's inside

Syllabus

Distributed Programming Frameworks
Programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud
Storage Systems for the Cloud
Scalable distributed data stores for organizing persistent data in Cloud applications
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a thorough introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation in the cloud, including topics such as data storage, resource management, and virtualization
Taught by Umakishore Ramchandran, an experienced instructor in the field
Provides an optional project where students can implement a basic version of the distributed runtime system for the Map-Reduce programming framework
Covers essential cloud computing concepts such as scalability, multi-tenancy, and elasticity
Suitable for learners interested in gaining a foundational understanding of programming frameworks and their implementation in cloud environments
Assumes prior programming knowledge and experience with cloud concepts

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Reviews summary

Rigorous cloud systems software foundations

According to learners, "Cloud Systems Software" provides a rigorous foundation in cloud architecture, praised for its deep dive into system internals and theoretical depth. Students often highlight the challenging but rewarding projects as crucial for understanding. Notably, recent reviews point to significant course improvements and content updates, addressing past concerns about outdated material and overly theoretical focus. While it demands a strong technical background and significant time commitment, many find it an exceptionally valuable experience for its comprehensive coverage. Some mention a fast pace.
Hands-on assignments reinforce complex theoretical concepts.
"The assignments, especially the distributed file system project, were challenging but highly rewarding."
"The optional MapReduce project was a highlight, really hands-on."
"Labs were well-designed and reinforced concepts effectively."
Offers a rigorous understanding of cloud system internals.
"I gained a deep understanding of cloud internals. Prerequisites are a must, it's not for beginners."
"Excellent foundation for anyone wanting to understand how cloud infrastructure truly works under the hood."
"Fantastic course if you want to dive deep into the architecture of cloud systems. The virtualization section was particularly insightful."
Recent updates have enhanced relevance and clarity.
"The course has improved over time... recent updates, especially to the project descriptions, make it much more accessible and practical."
"The course was updated recently and it shows! The new lectures are much clearer, and the project scope feels more aligned with industry needs."
"While older versions were too academic, the recent adjustments make it much more practical."
Some experienced issues with assignment grading and auto-graders.
"Content is good, but the grading on assignments felt inconsistent."
"Some of the auto-graders were buggy, causing frustration."
"The peer reviews for the project also varied wildly in quality."
Some found it too theoretical for immediate job application.
"Highly theoretical. I was looking for more practical, hands-on skills in cloud deployment, but this course focused heavily on academic papers."
"Less relevant for my day-to-day job as a cloud engineer, as I needed more direct application."
"Outdated material in some sections. The examples felt a bit old-fashioned compared to current cloud technologies."
Requires significant time and a strong technical background.
"It's a tough course, prepare to put in significant hours, but worth it."
"I found the pace very fast, and some concepts were not explained thoroughly enough. It demands a lot of self-study."
"Completely overwhelmed. The prerequisites were not clear enough... This course is for experts only."

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 Systems Software with these activities:
Review basic programming concepts
Refresh your understanding of programming fundamentals in preparation for this course.
Browse courses on Programming Concepts
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous programming courses
  • Complete practice problems on data structures and algorithms
Complete tutorials on Cloud computing
Gain a better understanding of Cloud computing concepts and technologies.
Browse courses on Cloud Computing
Show steps
  • Enroll in online tutorials on Cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Complete hands-on exercises and projects
Contribute to open-source projects related to Cloud computing
Gain practical experience by contributing to real-world Cloud computing projects.
Browse courses on Cloud Computing
Show steps
  • Find open-source projects in the Cloud computing domain
  • Identify issues and improvements
  • Submit bug reports or pull requests
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Mentor junior students in programming and Cloud computing
Reinforce your understanding by teaching and assisting others in these subjects.
Browse courses on Cloud Computing
Show steps
  • Join online communities or forums related to Cloud computing
  • Offer help and support to others on technical questions
  • Organize study sessions or workshops

Career center

Learners who complete Cloud Systems Software will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Architect
Cloud Architects design, build, and maintain cloud-based systems. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and implement cloud solutions that meet those needs. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Cloud Architects. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Cloud Architects to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Engineers build and maintain cloud-based systems. They work with Cloud Architects to design and implement cloud solutions, and they also manage the day-to-day operations of cloud systems. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Cloud Engineers. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Cloud Engineers to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
Cloud Developer
Cloud Developers develop applications that run on cloud platforms. They work with Cloud Architects and Cloud Engineers to design and implement cloud-based solutions. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Cloud Developers. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Cloud Developers to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Developer
Data Engineer
Data Engineers design, build, and maintain data pipelines. They work with data scientists and other data professionals to collect, clean, and analyze data. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Data Engineers. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Data Engineers to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. They work to automate and streamline the software development process, and they also help to ensure that software is deployed and maintained in a reliable and efficient manner. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for DevOps Engineers. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for DevOps Engineers to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
System Administrator
System Administrators manage computer systems and networks. They work to ensure that systems are running smoothly and efficiently, and they also help to troubleshoot and resolve any problems that occur. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for System Administrators. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for System Administrators to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for System Administrator
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with end-users to understand their needs and then design and implement software solutions that meet those needs. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Software Engineers. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Software Engineers to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Database Administrator
Database Administrators manage databases. They work to ensure that databases are running smoothly and efficiently, and they also help to troubleshoot and resolve any problems that occur. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Database Administrators. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Database Administrators to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Network Engineer
Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. They work to ensure that networks are running smoothly and efficiently, and they also help to troubleshoot and resolve any problems that occur. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Network Engineers. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Network Engineers to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
Security Engineer
Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems. They work to protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access and attacks. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Security Engineers. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Security Engineers to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer
Data Scientist
Data Scientists collect, clean, and analyze data to extract insights. They work with other data professionals to develop data-driven solutions to business problems. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which is essential knowledge for Data Scientists. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which are all important concepts for Data Scientists to understand.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Business Analyst
Business Analysts work with businesses to understand their needs and then design and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which may be helpful for Business Analysts who are working with cloud-based solutions. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which may be helpful for Business Analysts who are working with cloud-based solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Product Manager
Product Managers work with customers to understand their needs and then design and implement products that meet those needs. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which may be helpful for Product Managers who are working with cloud-based products. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which may be helpful for Product Managers who are working with cloud-based products.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers plan and execute projects. They work with project teams to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to scope. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which may be helpful for Project Managers who are working with cloud-based projects. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which may be helpful for Project Managers who are working with cloud-based projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for technical products and services. They work with engineers and other technical professionals to understand the products and services and then create documentation that is clear, concise, and accurate. This course provides an introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation issues in the Cloud, which may be helpful for Technical Writers who are writing documentation for cloud-based products and services. The course also covers topics such as scalable distributed data stores, resource management, and virtualization techniques, which may be helpful for Technical Writers who are writing documentation for cloud-based products and services.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Reading list

We've selected 12 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 Systems Software.
Cover image
Hadoop: The Definitive Guide
Save
An indispensable guide for anyone interested in learning more about Hadoop.
Hadoop: The Definitive Guide: Storage and Analysis...
Paperback
$$
Hadoop: The Definitive Guide
Kindle Edition
$$
Hadoop: The Definitive Guide
Paperback
$$
Hadoop: The Definitive Guide
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Machine Learning for Cloud Management
Save
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing concepts and paradigms, including distributed systems, virtualization, and resource management. It offers a valuable foundation for understanding the principles and practices of cloud systems software.
Machine Learning for Cloud Management
Hardcover
$$$$
Machine Learning for Cloud Management
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Cloud Computing
Save
Provides an in-depth exploration of cloud computing concepts, technologies, and architecture. It covers a wide range of topics, including cloud service models, virtualization, storage, and security. It valuable resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of cloud systems software.
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...
Hardcover
$$
(中文) Cloud Computing: Concepts. Technology and...
Paperback
$$
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Spark: The Definitive Guide
Save
Comprehensive guide to Apache Spark, a fast and general-purpose cluster computing framework.
Spark: The Definitive Guide: Big Data Processing...
Paperback
$$
Spark: The Definitive Guide: Big Data Processing...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Mastering Cloud Computing
Save
Explores resource management techniques in cloud computing environments. It covers topics such as resource allocation, scheduling, and optimization. It provides insights into the challenges and best practices for managing resources in cloud systems software.
Mastering Cloud Computing: Foundations and...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Kafka: The Definitive Guide
Save
The leading guide to Apache Kafka, an open-source distributed streaming platform.
Kafka: The Definitive Guide: Real-Time Data and...
Paperback
$$
Distributed Systems
Save
This widely-used textbook on distributed systems covers topics such as distributed communication, concurrency, and fault tolerance. It provides a solid foundation for understanding the design and implementation of distributed software systems like those used in cloud computing.
Distributed Systems
Paperback
Check
Distributed Systems
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Mastering Cloud Computing
Save
Offers a comprehensive guide to cloud computing technologies and applications. It covers topics such as cloud architecture, virtualization, storage, and security. It provides practical insights and case studies, making it valuable for both students and practitioners.
Mastering Cloud Computing: Foundations and...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Architecting Modern Data Platforms
Save
A must-have guide for anyone working with HBase, a popular open-source NoSQL database.
Architecting Modern Data Platforms: A Guide to...
Paperback
$$$
Architecting Modern Data Platforms: A Guide to...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Elasticsearch: The Definitive Guide
Save
A must-have reference for anyone working with Elasticsearch, an open-source search and analytics engine.
Elasticsearch: The Definitive Guide: A Distributed...
Paperback
$$
Elasticsearch: The Definitive Guide: A Distributed...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
MongoDB: The Definitive Guide
Save
An essential resource for anyone working with MongoDB, a popular NoSQL database.
MongoDB: The Definitive Guide
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Cloud Computing: A Practical Approach
Save
Provides a great foundation for understanding cloud computing.
Cloud Computing, A Practical Approach
Paperback
$$
Cloud Computing: A Practical Approach
Kindle Edition
$$

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Effort
5 hours to complete
Via
Coursera
Institution
Georgia Institute of Technology
Instructor
Umakishore Ramchandran
Language
English
Transcripts
العربية Français українська мова Português 中文 Ελληνικά Italiano Nederlands 한국어 Deutsch Pусский ไทย Bahasa Indonesia Svenska Türkçe Español हिंदी 日本語 қазақша Polski
This course belongs to a collection called System Issues in Cloud Computing. It's comprised of three courses:
  1. Cloud Systems Software (viewing)
  2. Network Function Virtualization
  3. Cloud Applications
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a thorough introduction to programming frameworks and their implementation in the cloud, including topics such as data storage, resource management, and virtualization
Taught by Umakishore Ramchandran, an experienced instructor in the field
Provides an optional project where students can implement a basic version of the distributed runtime system for the Map-Reduce programming framework
Covers essential cloud computing concepts such as scalability, multi-tenancy, and elasticity
Suitable for learners interested in gaining a foundational understanding of programming frameworks and their implementation in cloud environments
Assumes prior programming knowledge and experience with cloud concepts
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