Introduction to Cloud Computing from Coursera

Start your cloud computing journey with this self-paced introductory course! Whether you need general cloud computing knowledge for school or business, or you are considering a career change, this beginner-friendly course is right for you.

In this course you’ll learn about essential characteristics of cloud computing and emerging technologies supported by cloud. You’ll explore cloud service models, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Public, Private, and Hybrid deployment models.

Discover the offerings of prominent cloud service providers AWS, Google, IBM, Microsoft, and others, and review cloud computing case studies. Learn about cloud adoption, blockchain, analytics, and AI.

You will learn about the many components of cloud computing architecture including datacenters, availability zones, virtual machines, containers, and bare metal servers. You will also familiarize yourself with different types of cloud storage options, such as Object Storage.

You’ll gain foundational knowledge of emergent cloud trends and practices including Hybrid, Multicloud, Microservices, Serverless, DevOps, Cloud Native, Application Modernization, as well as learn about cloud security and monitoring. You’ll also explore cloud computing job roles and possible career paths and opportunities.

You will complete a number of labs and quizzes throughout this course to increase your understanding of course content. At the end of the course, you will complete a final project where you will deploy an application to Cloud using a serverless architecture, a valuable addition to your portfolio.

After this course, check out the related courses to help you towards your new career as a cloud engineer, full stack developer, DevOps engineer, cybersecurity analyst, and others.

What's inside

Syllabus

Overview of Cloud Computing

In Module 1, in the first lesson, you will learn the definition of cloud computing and its five essential characteristics. In the next topic, you will learn about the history and evolution of cloud computing and the benefits of the pay-as-you-go feature of cloud computing. The third topic will describe the key considerations, benefits, and challenges of cloud computing. You will next discuss some common cloud service providers. In the second lesson, you will learn the need for cloud adoption by businesses. You will then discuss some case studies of businesses that benefitted from cloud adoption. In the third lesson, you will learn about emerging technologies like IoT, AI, Blockchain, and so on that leverage cloud’s scalability and processing power to provide value to individuals and businesses alike, supported by some case studies.

Cloud Computing Models

In Module 2, you will learn about the different types of service and deployment models of cloud computing. The first lesson covers the three main service models available on the cloud—Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). You will learn the differences between each model, the advantages of each, and the key components of cloud infrastructure. The second lesson goes over the four main deployment models available on the cloud—public, private, hybrid, and community. You will learn what deployment models are and the differences and advantages of each model. At the end of the module, you will create an account on IBM Cloud.

Components of Cloud Computing

In Module 3, you will learn about the various components of a cloud computing architecture, such as the virtualization of virtual machines and bare metal servers, and the difference between virtual machines and bare metal servers. You will learn the different types of virtual machines, how to build a secure cloud networking presence, how container-based technologies work, and the benefits of a Content Delivery Network. In the second lesson, we will also familiarize you with the four main types of cloud storage—Direct Attached, File, Block, and Object Storage. You will learn the differences in how they can be accessed, the capacity they offer, how much they cost, the types of data they are best suited to store, and their read-write speed.

Emergent Trends and Practices

In Module 4, you will learn about the use cases and challenges of emergent trends in cloud computing, such as hybrid multi-cloud, serverless computing, and microservices. Additionally, this module will teach you about the core concepts and benefits of cloud native applications, the role of DevOps in addressing some of the complexities of cloud computing, and how organizations can benefit from modernizing their applications.

Cloud Security, Monitoring, Case Studies, Jobs

In Module 5, you will learn about elements of cloud security, including Identity and Access Management and cloud encryption. This module will cover how organizations leverage cloud monitoring solutions to optimize business benefits. It will familiarize you with cloud adoption case studies in different industry verticals, and the various career opportunities and job roles available in the field of cloud computing today.

Final Project and Assignment

In this module, you will complete a final project to deploy a containerized application on the cloud using a serverless technology (no programming experience needed). You can also demonstrate your knowledge of cloud computing by completing an optional assessment based on a cloud architecture design case study.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers essential concepts of cloud computing, making it suitable for beginners and those with limited knowledge

Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud service models and deployment models

Introduces learners to leading cloud service providers like AWS, Google, IBM, and Microsoft

Offers hands-on labs and a final project to enhance practical understanding of cloud computing concepts

Emphasizes cloud adoption and its benefits for businesses

Provides insights into emerging cloud trends and practices, such as microservices, serverless computing, and cloud native applications

Reviews summary

Cloud ecosystem for everyone

learners say IBM's Introduction to Cloud Computing course is largely positive due to its engaging lessons, practical relevance, and accessible introduction to cloud concepts. Some concerns were raised regarding overly technical language, grading issues, and the need for a human instructor.

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 these activities:

Complete a Course on Networking Fundamentals

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Gain a foundational understanding of networking concepts to enhance your understanding of cloud computing infrastructure.

Browse courses on Networking Basics

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Identify a beginner-friendly course on networking fundamentals.
Enroll in the course and complete its modules.
Review and practice the concepts covered in the course.

Read 'Cloud Computing: A Practical Approach'

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Enhance your understanding of cloud computing concepts and architectures through a comprehensive text.

View Cisco A Beginner's Guide, Fifth Edition on Amazon

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Acquire the book or access it through a library.
Read the book thoroughly, focusing on the key concepts and principles.
Take notes and highlight important sections for future reference.

Follow Tutorials on Cloud Service Providers

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Gain hands-on experience with popular cloud service providers to reinforce your understanding.

Browse courses on Cloud Service Providers

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Select a cloud service provider (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
Explore the provider's documentation and tutorials.
Follow step-by-step tutorials to set up and manage basic cloud services.

Three other activities

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Participate in Cloud Computing Study Groups

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Engage with fellow learners to discuss concepts, share insights, and clarify doubts.

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Join online forums or study groups dedicated to cloud computing.
Participate actively in discussions, asking questions and sharing your perspectives.
Collaborate with other learners on projects or assignments.

Build a Simple Cloud-Based Application

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Apply your knowledge by developing a small application that leverages cloud services.

Browse courses on Cloud-Based Applications

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Identify a simple application idea that can be implemented on the cloud.
Choose a cloud service provider and follow their documentation.
Build and deploy the application using cloud-native technologies.

Connect with Cloud Professionals

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Seek guidance from experienced cloud professionals to gain insights and learn from their experiences.

Browse courses on Networking

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Attend industry events or online webinars.
Reach out to cloud professionals on LinkedIn or other platforms.
Attend a mentorship program or find a mentor in your personal network.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Cloud Computing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and manage cloud computing systems. They ensure that these systems are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is essential for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Cloud Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers build and maintain cloud computing systems. They work with Cloud Architects to design and implement cloud solutions, and they also manage the day-to-day operations of these systems. This course provides a strong foundation for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Cloud Engineer. It covers the essential concepts of cloud computing, as well as the practical skills needed to build and manage cloud systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work with developers and operations teams to ensure that software is delivered quickly and reliably. They use cloud computing technologies to automate and streamline the software development and delivery process. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a DevOps Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Site Reliability Engineer

Site Reliability Engineers ensure that websites and other online services are reliable and performant. They use cloud computing technologies to monitor and manage these services, and they also work with developers to improve the reliability and performance of the code. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Site Reliability Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Site Reliability Engineer

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design and build data pipelines that collect, process, and store data. They use cloud computing technologies to manage and analyze large datasets. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Data Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help businesses understand their needs and develop solutions to meet those needs. They use cloud computing technologies to collect and analyze data, and they also work with stakeholders to define and implement business requirements. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to define and implement product requirements. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Product Manager.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software and other technical products. They use cloud computing technologies to store and share documentation, and they also work with developers to ensure that the documentation is accurate and up-to-date. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Cloud Security Analyst

Cloud Security Analysts protect cloud computing systems from unauthorized access and attacks. They use cloud computing technologies to monitor and manage security risks, and they also work with security teams to develop and implement security policies. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Cloud Security Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Analyst

Cloud Support Engineer

Cloud Support Engineers provide technical support to users of cloud computing systems. They help users troubleshoot problems, resolve issues, and optimize their use of cloud resources. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Cloud Support Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Support Engineer

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. They use cloud computing technologies to connect and manage cloud-based resources, and they also work with other engineers to develop and maintain the network infrastructure. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Network Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators manage computer systems and networks. They use cloud computing technologies to manage and maintain cloud-based resources, and they also work with other administrators to develop and maintain the system infrastructure. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Systems Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They use cloud computing technologies to build and deploy applications, and they also work with other engineers to develop and maintain the software infrastructure. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They use cloud computing technologies to store and analyze large datasets, and they also work with business stakeholders to develop and implement data-driven solutions. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Data Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage databases and the data they contain. They use cloud computing technologies to store and manage cloud-based databases, and they also work with other administrators to develop and maintain the database infrastructure. This course provides a good overview of cloud computing, including its different service and deployment models, as well as the various components of a cloud computing architecture. This knowledge is helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Database Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator