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Introduction to Google Cloud

Broadus Palmer

Hello Cloud Gurus, Welcome to our Introduction to Google Cloud Course. Within this course, you can expect to learn the foundations of Google Cloud such as Identity and Access Management, Compute Engine instances, storage, and networking. We get hands on with some services as well such as Cloud Pub/Sub, Cloud SQL, and more. If you are new to Google Cloud and you want to see how the platform and services work, then this is the course for you! To get the most out of this course you should have an understanding of cloud concepts, as we will be covering the basics of GCP but not the cloud itself. If you have any questions, jump in our community forum. We encourage you to reach out and work with others in the community on a similar journey.

This course is no longer available. Find something similar by browsing:
Google Cloud Identity and Access Management Compute Engine Storage Networking Cloud Pub/Sub Cloud SQL

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches Google Cloud Platform basics, which is standard in cloud computing
Develops practical skills in core services like Cloud Pub/Sub and Cloud SQL
Provides a solid foundation for those new to Google Cloud
Assumes understanding of cloud concepts but not of Google Cloud Platform specifically

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Reviews summary

Solid introduction to google cloud fundamentals

According to learners, "Introduction to Google Cloud" offers a solid foundation for those new to the Google Cloud Platform, especially if you already have basic cloud concepts down. Students frequently highlight the engaging lectures and practical, hands-on labs as particularly valuable, enabling them to gain a real feel for services like Compute Engine and Cloud SQL. While many found the course a great starting point, some mention that it assumes prior cloud understanding, which could be a slight hurdle for absolute beginners. Additionally, as cloud technology evolves rapidly, some content may occasionally feel less current, though overall, it's considered an effective initial dive into GCP.
Provides breadth over depth, suitable for beginners but not advanced learners.
"It's a good introductory course, but don't expect deep dives into every service."
"The pace is perfect for a beginner, but intermediate users might want more advanced topics."
"I appreciated the concise approach, allowing me to grasp many services without getting overwhelmed."
Some modules are regularly updated to reflect changes in GCP.
"I noticed recent updates to the networking module, which kept the content relevant."
"It's impressive how quickly they updated the course after the BigQuery UI changed."
"The course seems actively maintained, which is essential for cloud platforms that change often."
The instructor explains complex concepts in an understandable and engaging manner.
"The instructor's explanations were always clear and concise, making it easy to follow along."
"I found the delivery very engaging, which kept me motivated throughout the course."
"The way the instructor breaks down topics made even difficult parts seem manageable."
Offers valuable practical exercises that reinforce theoretical concepts.
"The practical exercises provided a real feel for how GCP services work in practice, which is key."
"The labs were incredibly useful; getting to deploy an instance and use Cloud SQL made everything click."
"I really appreciate the hands-on activities, they are the best part for solidifying knowledge."
Provides a comprehensive and clear introduction to core GCP services.
"This course gave me a very strong understanding of the core Google Cloud services and how they interact."
"I feel confident now talking about IAM, Compute Engine, and storage, which were completely new to me."
"It's an excellent first step for anyone looking to get into GCP, covering all the essential building blocks."
Requires prior understanding of general cloud computing concepts.
"While it says 'intro to GCP', I found myself needing to brush up on general cloud concepts first."
"If you're completely new to cloud, you might find some parts move a bit fast initially."
"I wish I had a stronger background in networking before starting, as it would have helped."

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 Google Cloud with these activities:
Review CompTIA Cloud+ Certification Guide
Review the fundamentals of cloud computing to refresh your knowledge and solidfy your understanding of core concepts.
Browse courses on Cloud Concepts
Show steps
  • Read Chapters 1-3 of the textbook
  • Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter
Join a GCP Community Study Group
Engage with fellow learners in a study group to discuss course topics and exchange knowledge, fostering a collaborative learning environment that enhances understanding.
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group within the GCP community
  • Participate in regular study sessions
  • Collaborate on problem-solving and knowledge sharing
Create a Cloud-hosted Web Application Using GCP App Engine
Build a practical web application on GCP App Engine to apply your understanding of Google Cloud services and reinforce your learning.
Show steps
  • Follow the tutorial on the GCP App Engine website
  • Deploy your web application to the cloud
  • Test and evaluate the performance of your web application
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Solve GCP Architect Practice Questions
Test your understanding of GCP architecture concepts by solving practice questions, reinforcing your knowledge and identifying areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Access practice questions from reputable sources
  • Attempt the practice questions and evaluate your performance
  • Review incorrect answers and focus on strengthening those concepts
Create a Blog Post on GCP Best Practices
Write a blog post summarizing best practices for using GCP services to solidify your understanding and share your knowledge with the community, reinforcing retention and promoting active learning.
Show steps
  • Research and gather information on GCP best practices
  • Write a comprehensive blog post outlining the best practices
  • Publish the blog post on a relevant platform
Develop a Cloud Data Pipeline Using Google Cloud Dataflow
Create a real-world data pipeline to gain hands-on experience in transforming and analyzing data using Google Cloud Dataflow, strengthening your skills in data engineering.
Show steps
  • Design the data pipeline workflow
  • Implement the data pipeline using Cloud Dataflow
  • Test and validate the data pipeline
  • Write a technical report documenting the pipeline
Contribute to Open-Source GCP Projects
Make contributions to open-source GCP projects to gain practical experience, demonstrate your skills, and contribute to the wider GCP community while deepening your understanding.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source GCP projects that align with your interests
  • Review the project documentation and codebase
  • Identify areas where you can contribute
  • Submit pull requests with your contributions

Career center

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

Reading list

We've selected five 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 Google Cloud.
Cover image
Google Cloud Certified Foundational Cloud Digital...
Save
Comprehensive guide to GCP and has more depth than the materials in the course. Having knowledge of the topics covered in this book will greatly enhance understanding of course topics.
Google Cloud Certified Foundational Cloud Digital...
Paperback
Check
Google Cloud Certified Foundational Cloud Digital...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Kubernetes: Up and Running
Save
Comprehensive guide to Kubernetes, which container orchestration platform that enhances the management and scalability of cloud-based workloads.
Kubernetes: Up and Running: Dive into the Future of...
Paperback
$$
Kubernetes: Up and Running
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Secret Colors
Save
Valuable reference tool for understanding the concepts of designing and building data-intensive applications on platforms like GCP.
Secret Colors
Paperback
Check
Secret Colors
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Cloud Computing For Dummies
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of GCP, from its history and architecture to its various services and pricing models.
Cloud Computing For Dummies
Paperback
Check
Cloud Computing For Dummies
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Site Reliability Engineering
Save
Provides insights into the principles and practices of site reliability engineering, which is an important aspect of managing and operating cloud-based systems like GCP.
Site Reliability Engineering: How Google Runs...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Time
255 hours
Level
Intermediate
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
Broadus Palmer
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches Google Cloud Platform basics, which is standard in cloud computing
Develops practical skills in core services like Cloud Pub/Sub and Cloud SQL
Provides a solid foundation for those new to Google Cloud
Assumes understanding of cloud concepts but not of Google Cloud Platform specifically
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