Cloud Computing Applications, Part 1: Cloud Systems and Infrastructure from Coursera

Welcome to the Cloud Computing Applications course, the first part of a two-course series designed to give you a comprehensive view on the world of Cloud Computing and Big Data!

In this first course we cover a multitude of technologies that comprise the modern concept of cloud computing. Cloud computing is an information technology revolution that has just started to impact many enterprise computing systems in major ways, and it will change the face of computing in the years to come.

We start the first week by introducing some major concepts in cloud computing, the economics foundations of it and we introduce the concept of big data. We also cover the concept of software defined architectures, and how virtualization results in cloud infrastructure and how cloud service providers organize their offerings. In week two, we cover virtualization and containers with deeper focus, including lectures on Docker, JVM and Kubernates. We finish up week two by comparing the infrastructure as a service offering by the big three: Amazon, Google and Microsoft.

Week three moves to higher level of cloud offering, including platform as a service, mobile backend as a service and even serverless architectures. We also talk about some of the cloud middleware technologies that are fundamental to cloud based applications such as RPC and REST, JSON and load balancing. Week three also covers metal as a service (MaaS), where physical machines are provisioned in a cloud environment.

Week four introduces higher level cloud services with special focus on cloud storage services. We introduce Hive, HDFS and Ceph as pure Big Data Storage and file systems, and move on to cloud object storage systems, virtual hard drives and virtual archival storage options. As discussion on Dropbox cloud solution wraps up week 4 and the course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills, knowledge, and tools that are highly used in industry

Taught by Reza Farivar, who is recognized for their work in cloud computing

Taught by Roy H. Campbell, who is recognized for their work in cloud computing

Introduces software defined architectures, which is standard in industry

Examines virtualization and containers, which are highly relevant to cloud computing

Explores cloud storage services, which are highly used in industry

Reviews summary

Foundational cloud systems and infrastructure

According to learners, this course serves as a solid introduction to the world of cloud computing systems and infrastructure. Many students found it a useful starting point for understanding core concepts like virtualization, containers (including Docker and Kubernetes basics), and the offerings of major cloud providers such as AWS, GCP, and Microsoft. The curriculum covers a wide range of foundational technologies relevant to cloud systems, including various storage solutions like HDFS and Ceph. While providing a good overview of the field, some reviewers commented that certain advanced topics might lack the desired depth and noted areas where content could benefit from updates to reflect the rapidly evolving cloud landscape. Overall, it is perceived as a valuable initial step for those entering cloud computing, offering essential knowledge but potentially requiring further study for specialized areas.

Mostly current, but cloud tech evolves fast.

"Most of the information is still relevant, but cloud technology moves incredibly fast."

"A few sections felt slightly dated based on the newest market offerings and practices."

"It would be great to see updates reflecting the newest features from cloud providers."

"While foundational principles hold, specific examples or provider details might need review."

Balances theory with practical industry context.

"The course provides practical context for the theoretical concepts discussed."

"The comparison of IaaS offerings from AWS, GCP, and Microsoft was particularly useful."

"Assignments helped solidify understanding, though I would welcome more hands-on labs if possible."

"Balances foundational theory with examples of real-world cloud services and APIs."

Covers a wide variety of essential cloud technologies.

"Appreciated the broad coverage of different systems like HDFS, Ceph, and discussions on major providers (AWS, GCP, Azure)."

"The course touches upon virtualization, containers, storage systems, and various service models like IaaS and PaaS."

"Learned about key technologies and concepts including Docker, Kubernetes basics, and different storage approaches."

"Provides a good overview of many components that make up cloud infrastructure."

Excellent overview of fundamental cloud concepts.

"This course provided a solid foundation and intro to cloud computing, which is exactly what I needed."

"I found the fundamental concepts of cloud computing, virtualization, and containers clearly explained."

"Great first course if you are new to the cloud world and need to grasp the basics."

"It's a very good starter course for anyone interested in understanding cloud infrastructure."

Some topics require more detailed explanation.

"While broad, I sometimes wished certain areas were covered in more technical detail."

"Felt like some complex concepts were introduced but not explored in sufficient depth."

"Could use more in-depth coverage on specific systems or advanced configurations within cloud infrastructure."

"As an introduction, it doesn't go deep, which is fine but means you'll need other resources."

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 Applications, Part 1: Cloud Systems and Infrastructure with these activities:

Review introductory computer science concepts

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Refresh your understanding of basic computer science concepts to improve your grasp of cloud computing.

Browse courses on Computer Science Fundamentals

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Review topics such as data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming
Practice solving simple programming problems

Read _Cloud Computing: Principles and Paradigms_ by Cumulus

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Provide context and background on cloud computing concepts.

View Machine Learning for Cloud Management on Amazon

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Read Chapters 1-4 to understand the foundations of cloud computing
Read Chapters 5-8 to explore different cloud service models and deployment models

Join a study group for the course

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Collaborate with peers to discuss course materials and solve problems together.

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Find classmates who are interested in forming a study group
Set up a regular meeting schedule
Review course materials, work on assignments, and prepare for exams together

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Complete Google Cloud's Fundamentals of Cloud Computing Quest

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Walk through interactive tutorials to grasp cloud computing concepts in a practical way.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing Fundamentals

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Sign up for a Google Cloud account
Enroll in the Fundamentals of Cloud Computing Quest
Complete the interactive tutorials and hands-on labs

Build a Virtual Machine in Amazon Web Services (AWS)

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Build a virtual machine in AWS to reinforce understanding of cloud infrastructure.

Browse courses on AWS

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Create an AWS account and set up billing
Choose an instance type and launch a virtual machine
Connect to the virtual machine using SSH
Install the necessary software and dependencies

Write a blog post or article on a cloud computing topic

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Deepen your understanding by explaining cloud computing concepts to others.

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Choose a specific cloud computing topic to focus on
Research the topic thoroughly to gather information and insights
Write a clear and concise blog post or article that explains the topic to a non-technical audience

Design a cloud computing architecture for a specific use case

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Apply your knowledge of cloud computing to design a practical solution for a real-world scenario.

Browse courses on Cloud Architecture Design

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Identify a specific use case or problem to solve using cloud computing
Research different cloud computing services and technologies
Design a cloud architecture that meets the requirements of the use case

Career center

Learners who complete Cloud Computing Applications, Part 1: Cloud Systems and Infrastructure will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining cloud computing systems and infrastructure. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and implement cloud solutions that meet those needs. This course will help you build a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, which will be essential for success as a Cloud Architect. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to design and implement cloud solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers are responsible for building, deploying, and managing cloud computing systems and infrastructure. They work with Cloud Architects to design and implement cloud solutions, and they also work with DevOps teams to ensure that cloud systems are running smoothly and efficiently. This course will help you build a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, which will be essential for success as a Cloud Engineer. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to design and implement cloud solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers are responsible for securing cloud computing systems and infrastructure. They work with Cloud Architects and Cloud Engineers to identify and mitigate security risks, and they also work with DevOps teams to ensure that cloud systems are secure. This course will help you build a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, which will be essential for success as a Cloud Security Engineer. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to identify and mitigate security risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify trends and patterns. They work with businesses to understand their data and then use that data to make informed decisions. This course will help you build a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, which will be essential for success as a Data Analyst. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to collect, clean, and analyze data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports data analysis. They work with Data Analysts to understand their data needs and then design and implement data pipelines that meet those needs. This course will help you build a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, which will be essential for success as a Data Engineer. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to design and implement data pipelines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports software development and deployment. They work with developers and operations teams to ensure that software is deployed and running smoothly. This course will help you build a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, which will be essential for success as a DevOps Engineer. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to build and maintain software infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

IT Architect

IT Architects are responsible for designing and building the IT infrastructure that supports an organization's business needs. They work with business leaders to understand their IT needs and then design and implement IT solutions that meet those needs. This course will help you build a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, which will be essential for success as an IT Architect. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to design and implement IT solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Architect

IT Manager

IT Managers are responsible for managing the IT infrastructure and services that support an organization's business needs. They work with IT staff to ensure that IT systems are running smoothly and efficiently. This course will help you build a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, which will be essential for success as an IT Manager. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to manage cloud computing systems and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Network Engineer

Network Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the networks that connect computers and other devices. They work with businesses to understand their network needs and then design and implement network solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for those who wish to become Network Engineers, as it will provide a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to design and implement network solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Security Analyst

Security Analysts are responsible for identifying and mitigating security risks. They work with businesses to understand their security needs and then design and implement security solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for those who wish to become Security Analysts, as it will provide a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to identify and mitigate security risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Software Developer

Software Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and implementing software applications. They work with businesses to understand their software needs and then design and develop software applications that meet those needs. This course may be useful for those who wish to become Software Developers, as it will provide a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to design and develop software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for managing computer systems and networks. They work with businesses to ensure that computer systems and networks are running smoothly and efficiently. This course may be useful for those who wish to become Systems Administrators, as it will provide a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to manage computer systems and networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating documentation for software and other technical products. They work with developers and other technical staff to understand the products and then create documentation that explains how to use and maintain them. This course may be useful for those who wish to become Technical Writers, as it will provide a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to create documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing and developing websites. They work with businesses to understand their website needs and then design and develop websites that meet those needs. This course may be useful for those who wish to become Web Developers, as it will provide a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to design and develop websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for managing databases. They work with businesses to understand their database needs and then design and implement database solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for those who wish to become Database Administrators, as it will provide a foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies. You will learn about different cloud computing models, services, and providers, as well as how to use cloud computing to design and implement database solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator