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Broadus Palmer

This course provides foundational knowledge about the cloud: what it is, how it's used, and why it's important.

In this course, you will learn the basics of what cloud computing is, how it is used, and why it is important.

We will also go over certain "as a service" models, including PaaS, IaaS, FaaS, and SaaS.

You will learn the difference between servers and "serverless," and we'll take a look at what jobs you can land in the cloud.

Read more

This course provides foundational knowledge about the cloud: what it is, how it's used, and why it's important.

In this course, you will learn the basics of what cloud computing is, how it is used, and why it is important.

We will also go over certain "as a service" models, including PaaS, IaaS, FaaS, and SaaS.

You will learn the difference between servers and "serverless," and we'll take a look at what jobs you can land in the cloud.

This course is perfect for beginners as there are no prerequisites for this course. The only thing we ask is that you have a passion to start your cloud journey and learn as much as you can!

Let's get ready to have some fun!

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction to the Cloud
Understanding Cloud Computing
Conclusion
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for those new to cloud computing
Provides a solid foundation in cloud computing concepts
Covers essential cloud computing services like PaaS, IaaS, FaaS, and SaaS
Taught by experienced instructors in the field
Prepares learners for potential job opportunities in cloud computing

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Reviews summary

Essential cloud computing introduction for beginners

According to students, this course offers a solid and accessible introduction to cloud computing foundations. Many learners found it exceptionally clear for absolute beginners, providing a strong understanding of core concepts like IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and FaaS. While it serves as an excellent starting point for career exploration in the cloud, some note that it remains high-level and lacks hands-on practical experience. It's often recommended for those needing a broad overview without technical prerequisites, though it may be too basic for learners with prior technical knowledge.
Covers breadth over depth, serving as a broad, introductory overview.
"It's a foundational course, so don't expect deep dives into specific cloud providers or advanced topics."
"The content is very high-level, which is good for an introduction but leaves you wanting more detail later."
"This course gives you a good map of the cloud landscape, but not a detailed navigation guide."
Briefly touches upon potential job roles in the cloud computing industry.
"I appreciated the section on cloud jobs; it gave me an idea of where to focus my future learning."
"It was helpful to get a glimpse into the types of careers available in cloud computing."
"The discussion on cloud roles motivated me to continue my studies in this field."
Provides clear explanations of fundamental cloud concepts and service models.
"The course did a great job explaining the different 'as a service' models like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS."
"I finally understand what 'serverless' means thanks to the clear conceptual breakdown in the lectures."
"It’s a great course if you want to understand the foundational definitions and principles of cloud computing."
Perfect for those with no prior tech knowledge seeking a cloud introduction.
"This course is absolutely perfect for beginners like me who have zero prior knowledge about cloud computing."
"As someone just starting my cloud journey, I found the explanations incredibly clear and easy to follow."
"I needed a simple, high-level overview to get started, and this course delivered exactly that."
Primarily theoretical with minimal hands-on labs or practical exercises.
"While informative, I wish there were more hands-on labs or demos to solidify the concepts."
"This course is very much a theoretical overview; it doesn't prepare you for actual implementation."
"If you're looking for practical skills or working with specific cloud platforms, this course isn't for you."

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 Foundations with these activities:
Re-Familiarize Yourself with Cloud Computing Basics
Review the essential concepts of cloud computing, such as its definition, benefits, and different service models, to strengthen your foundation for the course.
Show steps
  • Read an introductory article or blog post on cloud computing.
  • Watch a short video tutorial on the basics of cloud computing.
  • Review your notes or previous coursework on cloud computing, if available.
Join a Study Group or Online Forum for Cloud Computing
Connect with fellow learners and engage in discussions, ask questions, and share knowledge related to cloud computing.
Show steps
  • Join an online forum or community dedicated to cloud computing.
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions to clarify concepts and learn from others.
  • Share your own knowledge and insights to help others.
Seek Guidance from Experienced Cloud Professionals
Connect with industry experts and experienced cloud professionals to gain valuable insights, advice, and support throughout your learning journey.
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors through professional networking or online platforms.
  • Reach out to them and introduce yourself, expressing your interest in mentorship.
  • Schedule regular meetings or discussions to seek guidance and advice.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Explore Cloud Computing Platforms and Services
Get hands-on experience with cloud platforms by following guided tutorials that demonstrate how to use their services, such as creating virtual machines, storing data, and managing databases.
Browse courses on AWS
Show steps
  • Choose a cloud platform (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and create a free account.
  • Follow a tutorial to create a virtual machine instance.
  • Explore the platform's storage services and create a storage bucket or database.
Curate a Collection of Cloud Computing Resources
Organize and share valuable resources related to cloud computing to enhance your learning journey and provide a reference for future use.
Show steps
  • Gather articles, tutorials, videos, and other materials on cloud computing.
  • Create a document or online repository to store and organize the resources.
  • Add tags or annotations to categorize and describe the resources.
Practice Cloud Computing Scenarios and Case Studies
Reinforce your understanding of cloud computing principles by solving practical problems and analyzing real-world case studies.
Show steps
  • Find online practice exercises or quizzes on cloud computing.
  • Solve the exercises and review the solutions to identify areas for improvement.
  • Study case studies of successful cloud computing implementations.
Develop a Cloud-Based Solution for a Real-World Problem
Apply your knowledge by designing and implementing a cloud-based solution to address a specific business or technical problem, demonstrating your ability to use cloud services effectively.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or challenge that can be solved using cloud computing.
  • Design a solution that leverages appropriate cloud services and technologies.
  • Implement your solution and test its functionality.
  • Document your solution and present your findings.
Contribute to Open-Source Cloud Computing Projects
Gain practical experience and showcase your skills by contributing to open-source projects related to cloud computing.
Show steps
  • Find open-source projects on platforms like GitHub or GitLab that align with your interests.
  • Review the project's documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
  • Submit pull requests with your contributions and provide clear explanations of your changes.
Offer Mentorship or Tutoring to Beginner Cloud Learners
Contribute to the cloud computing community by sharing your knowledge and supporting others in their learning journey.
Show steps
  • Identify platforms or online communities where you can offer mentorship.
  • Create a profile or post to introduce yourself as a mentor.
  • Connect with learners who request guidance and provide support and advice.

Career center

Learners who complete Cloud Computing Foundations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Engineer
A Cloud Engineer has the responsibility of constructing and maintaining cloud infrastructure to meet diverse business needs. With its exposition of cloud fundamentals and explanations of "as a service" models, this course can greatly assist Cloud Engineers.
Cloud Security Engineer
A Cloud Security Engineer ensures the security of cloud computing environments, identifying and mitigating threats. Understanding cloud fundamentals is crucial for this role, and this course helps build that necessary foundation.
Cloud System Administrator
A Cloud System Administrator is accountable for managing and maintaining cloud computing systems, ensuring their efficiency and security. This course offers a comprehensive overview of cloud fundamentals and best practices, serving as a valuable resource for such professionals.
Cloud Software Engineer
A Cloud Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications within the cloud computing realm. This course provides a solid introduction to cloud computing concepts, which is essential for individuals in this role.
Technical Architect
A Technical Architect designs and oversees the implementation of an organization's technical systems and infrastructure. This course may be useful to those pursuing this role as it provides a foundational understanding of cloud computing and its applications across various industries.
Cloud Architect
A Cloud Architect designs, builds, and maintains cloud computing systems for various organizations. This course can be useful to those in this profession as it provides a base knowledge of cloud computing and its applications.
Data Engineer
A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data pipelines and infrastructure to support data processing and analysis. This course may be helpful to those in this profession as it provides a foundational understanding of cloud computing and its applications.
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer designs, implements, and maintains computer networks. This course may be helpful to those in this profession as it touches upon cloud networking concepts and the role of cloud computing in network infrastructure.
Security Analyst
A Security Analyst identifies, analyzes, and responds to security threats and vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. This course may be useful to those aspiring to this role as it provides a general overview of cloud security principles and practices.
IT Specialist
An IT Specialist provides technical support and assistance to users of computer systems and applications. This course can be useful for those in this role as it provides a basic understanding of cloud computing and its potential applications.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to uncover insights and inform decision-making. This course may be helpful to those seeking this role, as it touches upon cloud fundamentals and highlights how cloud computing can be employed in data analysis.
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining computer systems and networks. This course may serve as a helpful introduction to cloud computing for those in this role, as cloud adoption is growing in the IT industry.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer bridges the gap between development and operations teams, ensuring seamless software delivery. This course may be helpful to those aspiring to this role as it provides a general overview of cloud computing and its relevance to DevOps practices.
IT Manager
An IT Manager oversees the planning, implementation, and management of an organization's information technology systems and infrastructure. This course may provide helpful insights into cloud computing, which is increasingly adopted by organizations.
Software Developer
A Software Developer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. This course may provide helpful insights into cloud computing, which is becoming increasingly prevalent in software development.

Reading list

We've selected 11 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 Foundations.
Principles and Paradigms provides a solid background in cloud computing principles and paradigms.
For those interested in obtaining the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect certification, Exam Guide provides a comprehensive guide to preparing for the exam.
Mastering Cloud Computing provides a more in-depth analysis of cloud computing foundations and applications.
A Hands-On Approach uses a hands-on approach to teach cloud computing concepts through practical examples and exercises.
For those interested in obtaining the AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification, Associate SAA-C03 Exam provides a comprehensive guide to preparing for the exam.
Provides a solid background in data-intensive applications and big data architectures, which are essential for understanding cloud computing.
For those interested in cloud security, A Comprehensive Guide to Secure Cloud Computing provides a comprehensive overview of cloud security principles and practices.
Concepts, Technology & Architecture good reference book with a strong background in traditional computing concepts and an introduction to cloud computing concepts.
A Practical Approach is an additional reading resource that provides an overview of cloud computing services and architectures.
For readers new to the field, Cloud Computing for Dummies provides a gentle introduction to cloud computing concepts and terminology.

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