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Simon Allardice
This is a practical, pragmatic introduction to Cloud Computing: how best to think about it, and how to recognize where and when to use it—whether that’s for yourself, your team, your organization, or your clients.
This is a practical, pragmatic introduction to Cloud Computing: how best to think about it, and how to recognize where and when to use it—whether that’s for yourself, your team, your organization, or your clients. You'll discover the most important ideas and concepts, make sense of the jargon—from SaaS and PaaS to public, private and hybrid clouds—and explore the marketplace of Cloud vendors and solutions.
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Cloud Computing
Software As A Service (SaaS)
Platform As A Service (PaaS)
Public Cloud
Private Cloud
Hybrid Cloud
Cloud Vendors
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/imvnks/cloud
What's inside
Syllabus
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores key concepts of cloud computing, like SaaS and public clouds, which are central to the industry
Taught by instructors Simon Allardice, who is a respected figure in cloud computing
Lays a solid foundation for understanding the theory and practice of cloud computing
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Reviews summary
Foundational cloud concepts for professionals
According to learners, "Cloud Computing Explained" is a largely positive resource, highly praised for its clear conceptual foundation and ability to demystify complex cloud jargon. Students appreciate its pragmatic approach, making it an excellent introduction for those new to the field, particularly business professionals and non-technical roles seeking to understand cloud's strategic implications. While it excels at providing a solid overview, some learners note it lacks deep technical detail and hands-on activities, making it less suitable for advanced users or those seeking specific vendor implementation skills. Overall, it's considered an ideal starting point.
Perfectly suited for those with little to no prior cloud knowledge.
"Highly recommend for anyone starting out in cloud computing."
"A good starting point if you know nothing about cloud, as it clarifies specific terms for me."
"Perfect for my role as a project manager, needing conceptual understanding rather than deep technical skills."
Focuses on practical application and strategic relevance.
"Very practical overview. It helped me understand how cloud computing impacts business strategy."
"I appreciate the pragmatic approach. It's not just theory; it's about *why* and *when* to use cloud."
"Ideal for business professionals, helping me converse intelligently about cloud with my team and clients."
Provides a strong, understandable introduction to cloud concepts.
"Excellent introduction to cloud concepts. The instructor explained complex topics in a simple, understandable way."
"The course covers the essential terminology and use cases, setting me up well to explore them afterward."
"Clear, concise, and straight to the point. This course delivered exactly what it promised: an explanation of cloud computing."
Some content might age due to rapid cloud industry changes.
"Some sections felt a bit outdated, especially when discussing specific market shares or trends which change rapidly in cloud."
"The core concepts are still valid, but I found some examples show their age, requiring outside research for current info."
Not for advanced learners or hands-on technical practice.
"Too basic. If you're looking for practical skills or deep dives into specific services, this isn't it."
"I was hoping for a bit more hands-on examples or comparisons between AWS/Azure/GCP, but it's truly conceptual."
"Disappointed, as there were no labs or real-world application demos. It felt more like an introductory lecture series."
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 Explained with these
activities:
Test Your Cloud Computing Knowledge with Quizzes and Practice Exams
Show steps
Assess your understanding of cloud computing concepts and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
-
Find online quizzes or practice exams on cloud computing.
-
Take the quizzes and exams to test your knowledge.
-
Review your results and focus on improving weaker areas.
Develop a Cloud Computing Concept Map
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of cloud computing concepts by creating a visual representation of their relationships.
Show steps
-
Brainstorm and identify key cloud computing concepts.
-
Organize the concepts into a logical structure using a mind map or concept mapping tool.
-
Draw connections between the concepts to show relationships and dependencies.
Understand Cloud Computing Security Risks and Mitigation Strategies
Show steps
Bolster your knowledge of potential cloud security risks and learn about best practices for mitigation.
Browse courses on
Cloud Computing Security
Show steps
-
Locate online resources or video tutorials on cloud computing security.
-
Review common threats, vulnerabilities, and industry regulations.
-
Learn about best practices for securing cloud environments.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a Glossary of Cloud Computing Terminology
Show steps
Expand your understanding of cloud computing terminology to comprehend technical discussions.
Show steps
-
Gather definitions of key terms from course materials and online resources.
-
Organize the terms into a glossary or reference guide.
-
Review and update the glossary regularly.
Explore Cloud Computing Architectures through Video Tutorials
Show steps
Gain insights into different cloud computing architectures by watching video tutorials.
Show steps
-
Identify reputable sources for cloud computing video tutorials.
-
Select tutorials covering different architectural styles (e.g., single-tenant, multi-tenant, hybrid).
-
Watch the videos and take notes on key concepts and design principles.
Practice Cloud Computing Concepts with Hands-on Lab Assignments
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of cloud computing principles and reinforce your learning through hands-on practice.
Browse courses on
Cloud Computing Concepts
Show steps
-
Review the provided lab instructions and materials.
-
Set up your cloud computing environment (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
-
Follow the lab steps and complete the required tasks.
-
Analyze the results and troubleshoot any errors encountered.
Solve Cloud Computing Case Studies and Scenarios
Show steps
Strengthen your problem-solving skills and gain practical insights into cloud computing applications.
Show steps
-
Find case studies or scenarios related to cloud computing.
-
Analyze the problem statement and identify the key requirements.
-
Propose solutions and evaluate their feasibility and effectiveness.
-
Document your findings and recommendations.
Develop a Cloud Computing Implementation Plan for a Business Case
Show steps
Apply your understanding of cloud computing to create a practical implementation plan.
Show steps
-
Identify a specific business case and define the objectives for cloud adoption.
-
Research and evaluate different cloud computing providers and services.
-
Design a cloud architecture and migration plan.
-
Estimate costs and calculate the potential ROI of the implementation.
-
Create a comprehensive plan for security, compliance, and data management.
Test Your Cloud Computing Knowledge with Quizzes and Practice Exams
Show steps
Assess your understanding of cloud computing concepts and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find online quizzes or practice exams on cloud computing.
- Take the quizzes and exams to test your knowledge.
- Review your results and focus on improving weaker areas.
Develop a Cloud Computing Concept Map
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of cloud computing concepts by creating a visual representation of their relationships.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Brainstorm and identify key cloud computing concepts.
- Organize the concepts into a logical structure using a mind map or concept mapping tool.
- Draw connections between the concepts to show relationships and dependencies.
Understand Cloud Computing Security Risks and Mitigation Strategies
Show steps
Bolster your knowledge of potential cloud security risks and learn about best practices for mitigation.
Browse courses on
Cloud Computing Security
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Locate online resources or video tutorials on cloud computing security.
- Review common threats, vulnerabilities, and industry regulations.
- Learn about best practices for securing cloud environments.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a Glossary of Cloud Computing Terminology
Show steps
Expand your understanding of cloud computing terminology to comprehend technical discussions.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather definitions of key terms from course materials and online resources.
- Organize the terms into a glossary or reference guide.
- Review and update the glossary regularly.
Explore Cloud Computing Architectures through Video Tutorials
Show steps
Gain insights into different cloud computing architectures by watching video tutorials.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify reputable sources for cloud computing video tutorials.
- Select tutorials covering different architectural styles (e.g., single-tenant, multi-tenant, hybrid).
- Watch the videos and take notes on key concepts and design principles.
Practice Cloud Computing Concepts with Hands-on Lab Assignments
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of cloud computing principles and reinforce your learning through hands-on practice.
Browse courses on
Cloud Computing Concepts
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review the provided lab instructions and materials.
- Set up your cloud computing environment (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Follow the lab steps and complete the required tasks.
- Analyze the results and troubleshoot any errors encountered.
Solve Cloud Computing Case Studies and Scenarios
Show steps
Strengthen your problem-solving skills and gain practical insights into cloud computing applications.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find case studies or scenarios related to cloud computing.
- Analyze the problem statement and identify the key requirements.
- Propose solutions and evaluate their feasibility and effectiveness.
- Document your findings and recommendations.
Develop a Cloud Computing Implementation Plan for a Business Case
Show steps
Apply your understanding of cloud computing to create a practical implementation plan.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a specific business case and define the objectives for cloud adoption.
- Research and evaluate different cloud computing providers and services.
- Design a cloud architecture and migration plan.
- Estimate costs and calculate the potential ROI of the implementation.
- Create a comprehensive plan for security, compliance, and data management.
Career center
Learners who complete Cloud Computing Explained will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Solutions Architect
Cloud Solutions Architect
Cloud Solutions Architects are responsible for designing and implementing cloud computing solutions for businesses. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that solutions are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Solutions Architect because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various concepts.
Cloud Performance Engineer
Cloud Performance Engineer
Cloud Performance Engineers are responsible for monitoring and analyzing cloud computing systems for performance issues. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that systems are performing optimally. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Performance Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various performance concepts.
Cloud Network Engineer
Cloud Network Engineer
Cloud Network Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing network solutions for cloud computing systems. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that networks are reliable and scalable. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Network Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various networking concepts.
Cloud Storage Engineer
Cloud Storage Engineer
Cloud Storage Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing storage solutions for cloud computing systems. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that storage is reliable and scalable. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Storage Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various storage concepts.
Cloud Database Engineer
Cloud Database Engineer
Cloud Database Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing database solutions for cloud computing systems. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that databases are reliable and scalable. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Database Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various database concepts.
Cloud Operations Engineer
Cloud Operations Engineer
Cloud Operations Engineers are responsible for managing and operating cloud computing systems. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that systems are reliable and scalable. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Operations Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various operations concepts.
Cloud Software Engineer
Cloud Software Engineer
Cloud Software Engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining software applications that run on cloud computing platforms. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that applications are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Software Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various concepts.
Data Engineer
Data Engineer
Data Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing data pipelines to move data from one system to another. They often work with cloud computing platforms to store and process large amounts of data. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Data Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various concepts.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers are responsible for developing and deploying machine learning models to solve business problems. They often work with cloud computing platforms to train and deploy models. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Machine Learning Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various concepts.
Cloud Security Analyst
Cloud Security Analyst
Cloud Security Analysts are responsible for monitoring and analyzing cloud computing systems for security threats. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that systems are secure. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Security Analyst because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various security concepts.
Cloud Systems Administrator
Cloud Systems Administrator
Cloud Systems Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining cloud computing systems. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that systems are reliable and scalable. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Systems Administrator because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various concepts.
Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Security Engineers are responsible for securing cloud computing systems and data. They often work with cloud computing vendors and customers to ensure that systems are secure. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Security Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various security concepts.
Data Scientist
Data Scientist
Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. They often work with cloud computing platforms to store and process large amounts of data. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Data Scientist because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various concepts.
Cloud Architect
Cloud Architect
A Cloud Architect is primarily concerned with designing, conceptualizing, and managing cloud computing systems. They are commonly found in technology and business sectors. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a Cloud Architect because it provides a practical and pragmatic introduction to cloud computing and its various concepts.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers are responsible for bridging the gap between software development and IT operations. They often work with cloud computing technologies. This course may be useful to those interested in becoming a DevOps Engineer because it provides a practical introduction to cloud computing and its various concepts.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/imvnks/cloud
Reading list
We've selected seven 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 Explained.
Provides a practical guide to cloud computing, covering its benefits, challenges, and best practices. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to implement or manage cloud computing solutions.
Provides a hands-on approach to cloud computing, covering its essential concepts and technologies. It's a useful resource for anyone looking to learn how to use cloud computing in practice.
Save
Provides an in-depth look at cloud computing concepts, technology, and architecture. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of how cloud computing works.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, covering its history, benefits, challenges, and use cases. It's a useful resource for anyone looking to learn more about the cloud computing landscape.
Provides a beginner-friendly introduction to cloud computing, covering its basics and benefits. It's a good starting point for anyone new to cloud computing.
Save
Explores the future of cloud computing, covering its potential and challenges. It's a thought-provoking resource for anyone interested in the future of technology.
Provides a beginner-friendly introduction to cloud computing, covering its basics and benefits. It's a good starting point for anyone new to cloud computing.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/imvnks/cloud
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