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Cloud Shikshak

Getting started with cloud technologies can be daunting with the number of cloud providers in the market and also hundreds of services, in the form of building blocks, offered by each cloud provider. But it is important to understand these services or building blocks which are used to create and deploy any type of application in the cloud. Also, cloud providers offer on-demand computing resources and services in the cloud, with pay-as-you-go pricing which saves cost. So, every organization is migrating to the cloud in order to save money.

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Getting started with cloud technologies can be daunting with the number of cloud providers in the market and also hundreds of services, in the form of building blocks, offered by each cloud provider. But it is important to understand these services or building blocks which are used to create and deploy any type of application in the cloud. Also, cloud providers offer on-demand computing resources and services in the cloud, with pay-as-you-go pricing which saves cost. So, every organization is migrating to the cloud in order to save money.

This course is an introductory level course for understanding the cloud technology concepts and gives a detailed introduction to the three largest cloud providers: Amazon Web Service (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Summary of the course:

  • The course is divided into 5 main sections.

  • In the first section, we will look at basic cloud concepts and compare cloud with the alternative self-hosted IT infrastructure. We will understand the difference between Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

  • In the following three sections, we will introduce each of the three public cloud providers in detail: Amazon Web Service (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

  • In each of these section, we will take a look at the brief history of the cloud provider and its reach with its global infrastructure. As this is a beginner level course, we will go through step-by-step instructions on creating a new account on the cloud providers' web portal. After that we will take a quick tour of the portal.

  • We will go through all the categories of services provided by the cloud provider and core services in each category. We will design a simple architecture using the core services we learned to understand how cloud can be used in real world scenarios.

  • For experimenting with services, each cloud provider offers 'Free Tier' either limited by time or amount of usage after creating a new account. It is important to understand the free tier limits to minimize the cost and optimize the usage.

  • We will look at ways of interacting with the cloud provider services and their infrastructure like

  • For those who are interested in learning more about the cloud provider or cloud technology in general, I’ll list some podcast, blog and events that I recommend.

  • For those interested in certifications, we will look at the official certification offered by each cloud provider and figure out which certification path you should choose.

  • And in the final section of the course, we will compare the three cloud providers and discuss which one to use in a particular use case.

This course is approximately 5 hours long in total, and the approximate time division is as follows:

  1. Overview of cloud - 30 min

  2. AWS Introduction - 1hr 30 min

  3. Azure Introduction - 1hr 25 min

  4. GCP Introduction - 1hr 14 min

  5. Comparing AWS, Azure and GCP - 15 min

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Define what cloud computing is and is not
  • Understand how cloud computing differs from traditional self-hosted it deployment models
  • Comparing infrastructure as a service (iaas), platform as a service (paas) and software as a service (saas)
  • Detailed introduction to the three big cloud providers: amazon web service (aws), microsoft azure and google cloud platform (gcp)
  • Brief history and global infrastructure of each cloud provider
  • Step-by-step instruction lab to create account on each cloud provider
  • Overview of services and deep dive on core services of each cloud provider
  • Designing and understanding sample architecture to solve 3 real world use cases
  • Understanding how to use and optimize free tier offered by each cloud provider
  • Interfaces (api, cli, sdk) for interacting with cloud provider
  • Podcast, blog and events recommendation to learn more
  • Official certifications and certification path offered by cloud providers
  • Comparing aws, azure and gcp and usage recommendation for a particular scenario
  • Show more
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Syllabus

Overview of Cloud Computing
What is Cloud?
Cloud vs On-premise
IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundational understanding of cloud computing concepts, differentiating between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, which is essential knowledge for anyone entering the field
Offers a comparative analysis of AWS, Azure, and GCP, enabling learners to make informed decisions about which platform best suits their needs or their organization's requirements
Includes step-by-step instructions for creating accounts on each cloud provider, which lowers the barrier to entry for beginners who may be intimidated by the setup process
Explores the 'Free Tier' options of each cloud provider, which allows learners to experiment with services and gain practical experience without incurring significant costs
Briefly examines the history of each cloud provider, which may give learners a sense of how each provider has evolved and where they are positioned in the market
Recommends podcasts, blogs, and events, which may be helpful for learners who want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in cloud computing

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Reviews summary

Introduction to major cloud platforms

According to students, this course serves as a great starting point and an excellent introduction for beginners looking to understand the fundamental concepts of cloud computing across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Learners particularly appreciate getting an overview of all three major providers in one place, saving time and effort. The explanations are often described as clear and concise, making complex topics accessible. While praised for its breadth and usefulness for novices, some feedback indicates a lack of hands-on practical examples and insufficient depth for those beyond the absolute beginner stage or seeking job-ready skills.
Includes helpful info on careers and certifications.
"The information on cloud certifications was very helpful."
"Gave me a good direction on where to focus my further studies."
"Appreciated the career path suggestions."
Topics explained in an easy-to-understand way.
"The instructor explains everything in a clear and concise manner."
"Found the explanations easy to follow and understand."
"Complex topics were broken down well for beginners."
Excellent starting point for those new to cloud.
"Perfect course for someone who is completely new to the cloud concept."
"It provided simple explanations of complex concepts."
"Made understanding the basics of cloud computing accessible for me."
"As a beginner, I found the pace and content very manageable."
Provides an overview of AWS, Azure, and GCP.
"It's great to have an introduction covering all three major clouds in one course."
"Very useful to see a high-level comparison of AWS, Azure, and GCP."
"Saved me time learning about each provider separately. Good overview."
"Appreciated the sections dedicated to AWS, Azure, and GCP individually."
Offers breadth, but not deep practical application.
"Could use more hands-on labs or practical examples."
"The course is too introductory and doesn't provide enough depth for practical work."
"Wish there were more detailed demonstrations of specific services."
"Good overview but not enough practical application for job skills."

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 Introduction to Cloud Computing with AWS, Azure and GCP with these activities:
Review Networking Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of networking concepts, which are crucial for understanding cloud networking services.
Browse courses on Networking Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Review the OSI model and TCP/IP stack.
  • Practice subnetting exercises.
  • Research common networking protocols.
Brush up on Linux Command Line
Familiarize yourself with the Linux command line, as it's frequently used for managing cloud resources.
Browse courses on Linux Command Line
Show steps
  • Practice basic commands like ls, cd, mkdir, rm.
  • Learn how to use pipes and redirection.
  • Write a simple shell script.
Deploy a Simple Web App
Gain hands-on experience by deploying a simple web application on AWS, Azure, or GCP.
Show steps
  • Choose a cloud provider and create an account.
  • Select a compute service (e.g., EC2, Azure VM, Compute Engine).
  • Deploy a basic web application (e.g., a static HTML page).
  • Configure networking and security settings.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow Cloud Provider Tutorials
Deepen your understanding by following official tutorials from AWS, Azure, and GCP on specific services.
Show steps
  • Choose a service (e.g., S3, Azure Blob Storage, Cloud Storage).
  • Find an official tutorial on the cloud provider's website.
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step.
  • Experiment with different configurations.
Create a Cloud Comparison Chart
Solidify your understanding of the differences between AWS, Azure, and GCP by creating a comparison chart of their services.
Show steps
  • Choose key service categories (e.g., compute, storage, database).
  • Research the equivalent services in each cloud provider.
  • Create a chart comparing features, pricing, and use cases.
Read 'Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology, & Architecture'
Expand your knowledge of cloud computing concepts and architectures with a comprehensive book.
Show steps
  • Read the book chapter by chapter.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
  • Relate the concepts to the services offered by AWS, Azure, and GCP.
Design a Multi-Cloud Architecture Diagram
Apply your knowledge by designing a multi-cloud architecture diagram for a specific use case, leveraging services from AWS, Azure, and GCP.
Show steps
  • Choose a use case (e.g., disaster recovery, data analytics).
  • Identify the required services from each cloud provider.
  • Create a diagram illustrating the architecture.
  • Document the rationale behind your design choices.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Cloud Computing with AWS, Azure and GCP will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Engineer
A Cloud Engineer designs, builds, and maintains cloud infrastructure and applications. This course directly introduces the major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and GCP, and their core services, which are vital for a cloud engineer. Learning to design simple architectures using these core services, as taught in the course, is a key practical skill. Furthermore, understanding the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, covered in the course, is essential for a Cloud Engineer when selecting and setting up cloud environments.
Cloud Support Specialist
A Cloud Support Specialist provides technical assistance to users of cloud services, troubleshooting issues and ensuring smooth operation. This course provides a broad understanding of cloud computing concepts and the services offered by major cloud providers which helps a Support Specialist effectively address user inquiries about using AWS, Azure, and GCP. Understanding the free tier options and cost optimization as taught in this course is helpful to the specialist. The course's overview of different cloud service interfaces is also a major benefit to a Cloud Support Specialist who needs to troubleshoot issues.
Solutions Architect
A Solutions Architect designs and plans cloud based solutions for an organization. This course helps a Solutions Architect by giving a strong foundational understanding of cloud computing that encompasses major cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP. The course provides an overview of services, allowing an architect to choose the appropriate services and to design effective cloud solutions. The discussion on architecture design also helps prepare the Solutions Architect for designing real-world solutions.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer works to automate and streamline the process of software development and deployment in the cloud. This course, which introduces AWS, Azure, and GCP, helps a DevOps Engineer by exposing them to the various services they will need for building and deploying applications. The course's information on using different interfaces like APIs and CLIs would help a DevOps Engineer automate cloud deployments. The course on real world use cases also builds a foundation for the work of a DevOps Engineer.
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator manages and maintains computer systems, and in the modern era this often includes cloud-based systems. This course offers knowledge of the main cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, which are essential for any modern system administrator. The course will help a Systems Administrator by teaching the setup, usage, and administration of cloud services, including creating accounts, exploring interfaces, and understanding their core offerings. This introduction will help make a System Administrator much more effective in a cloud environment.
Cloud Consultant
A Cloud Consultant advises organizations on cloud adoption strategies, implementations, and best practices. This course helps a Cloud Consultant with a broad introduction to cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure and GCP. The course's overview of services offered by each cloud provider gives the consultant the knowledge to evaluate and recommend the best solutions to clients. By covering the core services and architectures of each cloud platform, the course helps a Cloud Consultant advise their clients effectively.
Technical Project Manager
A Technical Project Manager oversees projects related to technology, including cloud deployments. This course provides a broad introduction to major cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, equipping a Technical Project Manager with necessary knowledge to understand the scope of work and manage teams effectively. The course's outline of various cloud services and their uses is directly relevant for project planning and coordination. This understanding provided in the course would assist in project management.
IT Manager
An IT Manager oversees the technological infrastructure and systems of a company, and today this increasingly involves cloud services. This course helps an IT Manager understand the basic concepts of cloud computing and learn about the major cloud providers, AWS, Azure, and GCP. Learning about the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS allows an IT manager to make informed purchasing decisions. The overview of cloud services in the course are also helpful for the IT Manager's planning and coordination needs.
Software Developer
A Software Developer writes and debugs code for applications, and these applications are often deployed on the cloud. This course helps a Software Developer become familiar with cloud concepts and platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP. The course's overview of various cloud services empowers a developer to understand which services can be used in their own projects. Understanding cloud architecture, as taught in this course, helps a software developer more effectively deploy applications in the cloud.
Technical Trainer
A Technical Trainer develops and delivers training programs on technical topics, often including cloud technologies. This course helps a Technical Trainer gain a foundational understanding of cloud computing and the major platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP. The course will help them understand the core concepts of cloud computing, as well as the services offered, that can be used in their training materials. The course's overview can help a Technical Trainer prepare content effectively.
Data Engineer
A Data Engineer builds and maintains data infrastructure, including in the cloud. This course may be useful to a Data Engineer as it introduces the services offered by AWS, Azure, and GCP, and many of these include cloud based data storage and databases. The course's discussion of architecture design is useful for data architecture, and the overview of services helps a Data Engineer choose the right tools for their work. The course may be helpful for a Data Engineer to learn more about the cloud.
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer designs, implements, and manages computer networks, and increasingly this includes cloud networking. This course may be useful to a Network Engineer as it introduces cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, which are relevant to modern networking. By outlining the various cloud networking services and offerings, this course helps a Network Engineer approach cloud based networking with some familiarity. The course's overview may help a Network Engineer understand cloud based networking.
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases, and many of these are now hosted in the cloud. This course may help a Database Administrator by introducing cloud database services offered by AWS, Azure, and GCP. By giving a broad overview of these services, the course helps a Database Administrator understand the cloud options that are available for databases. As many legacy databases are being moved to the cloud, this course may be useful for a database administrator.
IT Sales Specialist
An IT Sales Specialist sells technology products and services and increasingly this may include cloud based software platforms. This course helps an IT sales specialist understand the fundamental concepts of the cloud, such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. The course's overview of the services offered by AWS, Azure, and GCP will prepare an IT Sales Specialist to better explain and sell these cloud offerings. The course also helps the Sales Specialist understand the different interfaces used with cloud services.
Chief Technology Officer
A Chief Technology Officer is a high-level executive who develops strategies for technology and ensures that the company's tech infrastructure aligns with its goals. This course may help the CTO by introducing the major cloud providers and cloud computing concepts. The course provides an overview of different offerings from AWS, Azure and GCP. This information helps a CTO to understand how cloud solutions may fit in with their larger organizational goals. This course may be useful for a CTO.

Reading list

We've selected one 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 Introduction to Cloud Computing with AWS, Azure and GCP.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing concepts, technologies, and architectural patterns. It's a valuable resource for understanding the underlying principles of cloud computing. It is particularly useful for understanding the architectural considerations when designing cloud solutions. This book adds depth to the course by providing a vendor-neutral perspective on cloud computing.

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