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Idan Gabrieli

  Best-Seller Course

"This is an excellent class. I saw all these terms (like laas, paas etc..) online. This course gave me a good understanding of these terms". Amy Lee.

"Wonderful course, Concepts have been explained very clearly. A course that every individual who wants to kick start a journey with Cloud computing has to go through." Divya K.

"This is one the best course I have taken both on Udemy and about Cloud computing. An explanation is so practical. The instructor is quite humorous too." Dare O.

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  Best-Seller Course

"This is an excellent class. I saw all these terms (like laas, paas etc..) online. This course gave me a good understanding of these terms". Amy Lee.

"Wonderful course, Concepts have been explained very clearly. A course that every individual who wants to kick start a journey with Cloud computing has to go through." Divya K.

"This is one the best course I have taken both on Udemy and about Cloud computing. An explanation is so practical. The instructor is quite humorous too." Dare O.

The instructor did a good job of introducing cloud technology to a novice. I will recommend this course to any individual who is interested in learning about technology. Money well spent. Olanrewaju A.

Cloud Computing is HERE.

Over the last couple of years, many business companies decided to use more and more cloud services as part of their digital transformation. They are trying to be more innovative and flexible to the dynamic business landscape by leveraging the power of the cloud. Cloud computing includes a variety of cloud service models, like SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and FaaS. Each of them is a complete category of cloud services used to solve a variety of business challenges.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

This training is about the IaaS model. The IaaS model provided by large cloud providers is helping companies to transform their private IT infrastructure into a utility service. Reduce the footprint of enterprise applications sitting in private data centers and leverage the capabilities in a public cloud environment.

As a first step, we are going to review the key terms in cloud computing to establish a clear understanding of the big picture, and then we will zoom on the IaaS model. What are the building blocks, what are the typical use cases, advantages as well as disadvantages, pricing models, and more.

Would you like to join the Cloud Computing revolution?    

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Fundamental understanding of cloud computing
  • Private, public, hybrid and multi clouds
  • The four service models - saas, paas, iaas and faas
  • Virtualization technologies - virtual machines and containers
  • Microservice and cloud-native apps
  • Compute, storage, networking
  • Iaas - pricing models
  • Iaas - market use cases

Syllabus

Getting Started!
Welcome!
Our Learning Objectives
Cloud Computing - Terminology Overview
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundational overview of cloud computing concepts, making it suitable for individuals with little to no prior experience in the field
Explores the IaaS model, which helps learners understand how companies are transforming their IT infrastructure into utility services
Examines cloud service models like SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and FaaS, which are essential for understanding the cloud computing landscape
Discusses virtualization technologies like virtual machines and containers, which are relevant for developing and deploying cloud-native applications
Covers the advantages and disadvantages of IaaS, which helps learners make informed decisions about adopting this cloud service model
Requires learners to understand key terms in cloud computing, which may necessitate additional research for those completely new to the subject

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Reviews summary

Beginner introduction to cloud and iaas

According to learners, this is an excellent course and a perfect introduction for absolute beginners to cloud computing and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Students say the course explains complex topics simply and covers key terminology like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS very well, providing a good foundation. While the included demos are helpful for visualizing concepts, some reviewers noted a desire for more hands-on exercises and felt the course lacks depth for practical application. It is widely considered truly for beginners and may be too basic if you have prior technical knowledge.
Solid explanation of essential cloud terms.
"A solid introduction to IaaS. The course covers all the key terminology and different cloud models."
"Good for learning the vocabulary, less so for practical skills."
"Perfect course if you're an absolute beginner... I finally understand what IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS mean!"
Topics explained simply for beginners.
"The instructor explains complex topics in a simple, engaging way."
"Perfect course if you're an absolute beginner. Everything is explained clearly, step by step."
"I finally understand what IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS mean!"
Helpful demos, but needs more hands-on labs.
"The demos were very helpful in visualizing the concepts."
"I wish there were a few more hands-on exercises beyond the demos..."
"The Azure demo was simple but functional. Good for learning the vocabulary, less so for practical skills."
Best for absolute beginners, lacks depth.
"If you have any prior tech background, you might find it too slow or lacking depth."
"Don't expect deep technical dives or configuration guides. It's truly for beginners."
"Good overview course... It does what it says, introduces cloud and IaaS."

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 for Beginners - Infrastructure as a Service with these activities:
Review Networking Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of networking concepts, which are crucial for grasping IaaS components like virtual networks and security groups.
Browse courses on Cloud Networking
Show steps
  • Review basic networking concepts.
  • Study common network topologies.
  • Understand IP addressing and subnetting.
Brush up on Virtualization Concepts
Solidify your knowledge of virtualization technologies, as IaaS heavily relies on virtual machines and containers.
Browse courses on Virtualization
Show steps
  • Define virtualization and its benefits.
  • Compare VMs and containers.
  • Research different hypervisors.
Follow an Azure IaaS Tutorial
Gain hands-on experience with IaaS by following a tutorial on deploying a virtual machine in Microsoft Azure.
Show steps
  • Create an Azure free tier account.
  • Deploy a virtual machine.
  • Configure network settings.
  • Access the deployed VM.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Write a Blog Post on IaaS Use Cases
Solidify your understanding of IaaS by researching and writing a blog post about its various use cases in different industries.
Show steps
  • Research IaaS use cases.
  • Choose a few compelling examples.
  • Write a blog post explaining the use cases.
  • Publish the blog post online.
Create an IaaS Cost Comparison Spreadsheet
Deepen your understanding of IaaS pricing models by comparing the costs of different compute and storage options across multiple cloud providers.
Show steps
  • Identify key IaaS services.
  • Gather pricing information from AWS, Azure, and GCP.
  • Create a spreadsheet to compare costs.
  • Analyze the cost differences.
Design a Cloud Migration Plan
Apply your knowledge of IaaS to design a migration plan for a hypothetical on-premises application to the cloud.
Show steps
  • Choose an on-premises application.
  • Assess the application's requirements.
  • Design the IaaS infrastructure.
  • Outline the migration steps.

Career center

Learners who complete Cloud Computing for Beginners - Infrastructure as a Service will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Engineer
A Cloud Engineer designs, implements, and manages cloud computing systems. This course helps build a foundation in understanding the different cloud service models, particularly Infrastructure as a Service, which is directly relevant to a Cloud Engineer role. Understanding the building blocks of IaaS allows this role to effectively manage infrastructure. The course's exploration of virtualization technologies and cloud-native apps directly translates to the practical aspects of cloud engineering. Someone interested in cloud engineering should begin here.
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator manages computer systems and servers. The course's focus on Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, is highly relevant as many systems have moved to the cloud. A Systems Administrator needs to understand concepts like virtualization, compute, storage, and networking, which are covered in depth. Understanding different cloud models will help a Systems Administrator manage infrastructure in hybrid or multi cloud environments. This course should be a first study for all aspiring systems administrators.
Solutions Architect
A Solutions Architect designs and plans technical infrastructure for a business. This role requires an understanding of cloud services and Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, specifically. This course's overview of cloud computing concepts such as service models, virtualization, and IaaS use cases helps a Solutions Architect determine the best solutions for a business. The course's approach to discussing advantages and disadvantages of IaaS helps a Solutions Architect make well-rounded decisions. Before becoming a solutions architect, this course will be helpful.
Cloud Consultant
A Cloud Consultant advises businesses on cloud strategies and implementation. This course helps build a strong understanding of cloud computing, specifically Infrastructure as a Service, which helps a Cloud Consultant make informed recommendations to clients. An understanding of various cloud models, virtualization, and the specific use cases of IaaS are crucial for this role. This course may be beneficial for aspiring cloud consultants.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer focuses on streamlining the software development lifecycle using cloud technologies and automation. This course's coverage of cloud computing, particularly Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, provides a DevOps Engineer with the foundational knowledge to build and manage cloud infrastructure. Understanding virtualization and cloud native apps will directly help DevOps Engineers deploy applications. This course may be useful as a starting point for careers in DevOps engineering.
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer plans and implements computer networks. The course's explanation of cloud networking and Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, will help a Network Engineer manage networking in the cloud. This course helps a user understand the building blocks of cloud infrastructure. The discussion of IaaS pricing models may be helpful for Network Engineers building out cloud solutions, and a course like this may be a useful resource.
Technical Support Specialist
A Technical Support Specialist helps users with technical issues relating to computer systems and software. This course provides a foundation of cloud computing and Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, which will help a Technical Support Specialist address issues related to cloud services and infrastructure. A Technical Support Specialist may find the overview of cloud models useful in this role. This may help individuals who wish to become technical support specialists.
Software Developer
A Software Developer builds and maintains software applications. While not directly focused on coding, this course introduces Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, and cloud native apps, which will help a Software Developer build applications that can be deployed in the cloud. The course may help developers understand the infrastructure on which their software will run. This course may be useful in broadening a software developer's understanding of the cloud.
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases. This course covers cloud computing, specifically IaaS which is relevant as many databases have moved to the cloud. A Database Administrator may find an understanding of compute and storage useful. This course may be helpful for those looking to work with cloud databases.
IT Project Manager
An IT Project Manager oversees information technology projects. This course introduces cloud concepts and Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, which helps an IT Project Manager understand the technology behind the projects they are managing. The broad overview of cloud models will help IT Project Managers better understand project lifecycles. An IT project manager may find this course useful to have some familiarity with cloud tech.
Sales Engineer
A Sales Engineer provides technical expertise to support sales processes. This course gives a good overview of cloud computing and Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, which allows a Sales Engineer to speak more clearly and accurately about cloud offerings and infrastructure. A Sales Engineer needs to be familiar with all types of cloud models, and this course may be a useful introduction to the field.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation for technical products and services. This course provides a foundation in cloud terminology and concepts, especially Infrastructure as a Service, which helps a Technical Writer create clear and accurate documentation about cloud technology. Someone interested in technical writing for cloud companies may find this course useful to begin building their cloud knowledge base. This course may be useful for technical writers.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst identifies business needs and proposes solutions for improvement. This course's introduction to cloud computing models like Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, and its exploration of cloud technologies will help a Business Analyst understand the impact of cloud on businesses and help them recommend relevant solutions. This course may be beneficial for business analysts who are working with tech companies or tech projects.
IT Support Specialist
An IT Support Specialist provides technical assistance to users of computer systems and software. This course has a good introduction to cloud computing, especially Infrastructure as a Service, and this background may assist an IT Support Specialist with resolving issues related to cloud-based applications. An IT Support Specialist may find the overview of different cloud models useful. This course may be useful for those entering IT support.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst interprets and analyzes data to guide business decisions. While not directly related, an introductory understanding of cloud services, such as Infrastructure as a Service, may be helpful, as many data analysis tools are now cloud-based. Understanding the infrastructure around cloud services may help a data analyst better understand the flow of data. A data analyst may find this course may be helpful to broaden their knowledge of cloud.

Reading list

We've selected 50 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 for Beginners - Infrastructure as a Service.
A comprehensive overview of virtualization, covering everything from its technical foundations to its applications in cloud computing, security, and mobile computing. Helpful for gaining a broad understanding of virtualization and its impact on modern IT.
Foundational text in computer science, widely used in undergraduate and graduate programs. It provides a comprehensive overview of operating system principles, including processes, memory management, and virtualization. Understanding these core concepts is essential for grasping how virtual machines function at a fundamental level. It serves as an excellent prerequisite for diving deeper into virtualization technologies.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, covering concepts, technologies, and architectures. It is written by leading experts in the field.
This comprehensive book provides a detailed overview of cloud computing concepts, technologies, and applications, covering all three cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS) in depth.
Provides a practical guide to building serverless applications specifically on the AWS platform. It covers key AWS services like Lambda and API Gateway, essential for understanding FaaS in a real-world context. It's valuable for those looking to solidify their understanding through hands-on examples and learn common serverless patterns and architectures.
Is essential for understanding the challenges of bringing innovative products, including many SaaS solutions, from early adopters to the mainstream market. It provides a foundational framework for market adoption and is particularly valuable for those looking to understand the go-to-market challenges specific to disruptive technologies. This is considered a classic in technology marketing and sales.
Customer success is paramount in the subscription-based SaaS model. definitive guide to building and scaling a customer success function to reduce churn and drive revenue growth.
Written by the founder of Zuora, a leading subscription management platform, this book provides a comprehensive look at the shift towards subscription-based business models, with a strong focus on SaaS. It explains the fundamental principles and strategies for succeeding in the subscription economy.
Building on the concepts in Predictable Revenue, this book delves deeper into achieving hyper-growth in SaaS and similar business models. It provides actionable strategies for scaling revenue and is particularly relevant for those looking to accelerate the growth of a SaaS company.
Pricing critical component of SaaS success. provides a practical guide to designing effective pricing models specifically for B2B SaaS companies, addressing a key challenge in the industry.
Effective positioning is critical for standing out in the crowded SaaS market. provides a clear and actionable framework for developing compelling product positioning that resonates with target customers.
This practical guide focuses on the implementation and management of Kubernetes, the leading container orchestration platform. It offers hands-on guidance on configuring, deploying, and scaling containerized applications with Kubernetes.
Delves into the technical aspects of PaaS, covering topics such as application development, deployment, and scaling.
A comprehensive overview of virtualization, focusing on its technical aspects, benefits, and applications. Helpful for gaining a solid understanding of virtualization.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced professionals looking for a broad understanding of cloud computing.
Provides a practical approach to cloud computing, covering various aspects from deployment to management and optimization. It is suitable for IT professionals and anyone looking to gain a hands-on understanding of cloud computing.
A practical, action-oriented book focusing on building event-driven applications using AWS Lambda. It's excellent for deepening understanding of FaaS implementation on AWS and learning how to integrate Lambda with other services in an event-driven manner.
Introduces the Jobs to Be Done framework, a powerful approach for understanding customer motivation and driving innovation. It's highly valuable for SaaS companies seeking to build products that truly solve customer problems and differentiate themselves in the market.
Provides a practical, step-by-step guide to applying lean startup principles to product development. It's highly relevant for SaaS product managers and teams looking to build successful products by focusing on validated learning and customer feedback.
Focusing specifically on B2B SaaS pricing, this book offers a framework and strategies for setting prices that drive revenue growth and customer satisfaction. It provides practical insights for leaders navigating the complexities of SaaS monetization.
Explores patterns for building applications that thrive in the cloud, including concepts highly relevant to FaaS such as event-driven architectures and microservices. It helps solidify understanding of cloud-native principles and provides a mental model for designing resilient and scalable applications in a serverless context.
Written by a successful bootstrapped SaaS entrepreneur, this book offers practical advice on building and scaling a SaaS business without external funding. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to SaaS founders and provides a realistic perspective on the journey.
Kubernetes leading container orchestration platform, often used in conjunction with virtual machines and containers. provides a comprehensive guide to Kubernetes, which is crucial for managing containerized applications at scale. Understanding Kubernetes is vital for anyone working with modern virtualized and cloud-native environments.
This practical guide offers invaluable advice on how to conduct effective customer interviews to truly understand their needs and validate business ideas. It's a crucial read for anyone involved in product development, sales, or marketing in the SaaS space, helping to avoid building products nobody wants.
While broader than just SaaS, this book provides essential guidance on scaling a technology company, covering critical areas like hiring, management, and operations. These insights are directly applicable to SaaS companies experiencing rapid growth.
Offers a comprehensive guide to scaling a SaaS business, covering various aspects from product development and marketing to sales and customer acquisition. It provides a blueprint for navigating the growth stages of a tech company in the SaaS model.
Provides a combined look at Docker and Kubernetes, reflecting the contemporary landscape where containers and orchestration are key aspects of virtualization strategies. It's valuable for understanding the broader container ecosystem and its relevance to virtualized deployments in both cloud and on-premises environments.
Focuses on microservices architecture, a common pattern used in PaaS development, discussing its benefits, challenges, and implementation strategies.
Covers cloud native architecture patterns, including those relevant to PaaS, such as microservices and containerization.
While not exclusively about FaaS, this book foundational text on microservices, an architectural style often implemented using FaaS. It provides essential background knowledge on designing, building, and deploying fine-grained services. Understanding microservices is crucial for designing effective serverless applications.
Focuses on KVM, a popular open-source virtualization technology on Linux. It delves into the internals of KVM and provides guidance on building robust virtualization solutions. It is particularly relevant for those interested in Linux-based virtualization and offers insights into managing scalability, performance, and security within a KVM environment.
Provides a good overview of virtualization techniques and applications from a computer architecture and design perspective. It delves into the fundamental principles behind virtual machines, making it valuable for those seeking a deeper understanding of the technology's underpinnings. While not the most recent publication, it is considered a foundational text in the field.
Provides a catalog of patterns for building microservices, many of which are highly applicable to designing FaaS-based applications. It offers solutions to common challenges in distributed systems and microservices, deepening the understanding of architectural choices in a serverless context.
Similar to the AWS-focused serverless book, this provides a practical guide but for the Azure platform. It's useful for understanding FaaS implementation on a different major cloud provider and learning Azure-specific serverless services. Valuable for those working in or exploring the Azure ecosystem.
Specifically focuses on PaaS models, providing practical guidance on how to adopt and use PaaS for enterprise agility.
An updated edition focusing on a specific version of VMware vSphere, providing practical guidance for deploying, managing, and monitoring virtualized data centers. Useful for professionals working with or planning to implement VMware solutions. It offers insights into designing and planning virtual infrastructure effectively.
Provides practical guidance and hands-on labs for Microsoft Hyper-V, another major virtualization platform. It covers implementation and management using both GUI and PowerShell tools. It's a key resource for IT professionals working with Windows Server environments and Hyper-V.
Focuses on building event-driven microservices using patterns like Event Sourcing and CQRS, which are highly relevant to advanced serverless architectures. It provides practical guidance for implementing complex distributed systems often found in FaaS environments.
By a Microsoft MVP offers in-depth coverage of Windows Server, including the Hyper-V role. It's a valuable resource for understanding how Hyper-V integrates with the Windows Server ecosystem and for mastering its features. It serves as a comprehensive guide for administrators.
Addresses the environmental impact of cloud computing and provides guidance on designing and operating green cloud data centers.
Hands-on guide to cloud computing. It covers a wide range of topics, including cloud architectures, cloud services, and cloud security.
Provides a comprehensive overview of security considerations for IaaS deployments. It is suitable for IT professionals responsible for securing cloud infrastructure.
Explores the use of IaaS for AI and machine learning applications. It is suitable for data scientists and developers looking to build and deploy AI and machine learning models on cloud platforms.
Focuses on using IaaS to deploy and scale web applications. It is suitable for web developers and IT professionals responsible for building and maintaining web applications on cloud platforms.
Discusses continuous delivery, a set of practices that align well with PaaS development and deployment, covering topics such as automated testing, deployment pipelines, and release management.

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