Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies from edX

New to the cloud and not sure where to begin? This introductory course, taught by cloud experts from The Linux Foundation, will help you grasp the basics of cloud computing and comprehend the terminology, tools and technologies associated with today’s top cloud platforms.

Understanding cloud technologies tops the list of most important skills for any developer, system administrator or network computing professional seeking a lucrative career in technology. However, getting started and researching all things cloud can be complicated and time consuming. This course maps out the entire cloud landscape and explains how various tools and platforms fit together.

Experts from The Linux Foundation can help guide you step-by-step as you begin to navigate the cloud. They host some of the world's leading open source cloud projects and provide training and networking opportunities to educate a talent pool to support those projects, and is a respected, neutral, non-profit education source to provide training for anyone learning how to build and manage cloud infrastructure.

This course gives you a primer on cloud computing and the use of open source software to maximize development and operations. Topics covered include:

Next-generation cloud technologies: Learn about cloud and container technologies like Docker, Cloud Foundry, and Kubernetes, as well as the tooling around them.
Scalable and performant compute, storage and network solutions: Get an overview of software defined storage and software defined networking solutions.
Solutions employed by companies to meet their business demands: Study up on DevOps and continuous integration practices, as well as the deployment tools available to architects to meet and exceed their business goals.

No previous cloud experience is required for this course. "Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies" gives you the knowledge and tools to make smart decisions about which cloud services and applications to use depending on your needs.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Basics of cloud computing
Characteristics of the different cloud technologies

Working knowledge on how to choose the right technology stack for your needs

Basics of cloud computing
Characteristics of the different cloud technologies
Working knowledge on how to choose the right technology stack for your needs

Syllabus

Welcome!

1. Virtualization

2. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

3. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

4. Containers

5. Containers: Micro OSes for Containers

6. Containers: Container Orchestration

7. Unikernels ****

8. Microservices

9. Software-Defined Networking and Networking for Containers

10. Software-Defined Storage and Storage Management for Containers

11. DevOps and CI/CD

12. Tools for Cloud Infrastructure I (Configuration Management)

13. Tools for Cloud Infrastructure II (Build & Release)

14. Tools for Cloud Infrastructure III (Key-Value Pair Store) ****

15. Tools for Cloud Infrastructure IV (Image Building)

16. Tools for Cloud Infrastructure V (Debugging, Logging, and Monitoring for Containerized Applications)

17. Service Mesh

18. Internet of Things (IoT)

19. Serverless Computing

20. OpenTracing

21. How to Be Successful in the Cloud

Final Exam (Verified Track Only)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a primer on cloud computing and the use of open source software to maximize development and operations

Provides a solid foundation in cloud computing, relevant for beginners

Examines cloud and container technologies used in the industry

Taught by experts from The Linux Foundation, respected in the field

Requires no prior cloud experience, making it accessible to a wider audience

Provides knowledge to make informed decisions about cloud services and applications

Advises students to take other courses first, indicating prereqs

Reviews summary

Cloud tech course

According to students, this Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies course earns a 4 out of 5-star rating. Learners say that this course provides a strong foundation in cloud infrastructure fundamentals. Many students find the topics practical and relevant to real-world cloud computing scenarios.

Real-world applicable topics

"The course provides practical topics that can be applied in real-world scenarios."

"This course has been very helpful. I am learning a lot about cloud infrastructure and how to use it in the real world."

"The topics covered are applicable to actual cloud computing scenarios."

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 Infrastructure Technologies with these activities:

Gather Resources and Tools for Cloud Computing

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Facilitate your learning by compiling a collection of useful resources and tools for cloud computing.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing

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Search for and bookmark articles, tutorials, and documentation related to cloud computing concepts and technologies.
Identify and save online tools and platforms that can support your cloud development and learning.

Review virtualization concepts

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Laying a solid understanding of virtualization will help you grasp the intricacies of cloud infrastructure.

Browse courses on Virtualization

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Revisit the fundamentals of virtualization
Review key virtualization technologies and their applications
Explore the benefits and limitations of virtualization

Review Networking and System Administration Concepts

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Strengthen your foundation for cloud computing by refreshing your knowledge in networking and system administration.

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Review basic networking concepts, such as IP addressing, subnetting, and routing.
Familiarize yourself with system administration tasks, including user management, file permissions, and software installation.

Eight other activities

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Review 'Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Applications'

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Familiarize yourself with cloud computing as an architectural and operational approach to delivering and consuming computing resources over the internet.

View Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &... on Amazon

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Read through the chapters on cloud basics, cloud services, and cloud deployment models.
Make notes on the different cloud computing concepts and models covered in the chapters.

Getting Started with Docker

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Develop hands-on experience with Docker, a crucial technology in the cloud computing landscape.

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Install Docker on your local machine
Create and run your first Docker container
Explore Docker commands and best practices

Set Up Your Own Cloud Lab Environment

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Gain hands-on experience with cloud computing by setting up your own lab environment.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing

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Choose a cloud provider (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and create an account.
Set up a virtual machine (VM) or container instance.
Install the necessary software and tools for cloud development.
Test your environment by deploying a simple application.

Attend a Cloud Computing Workshop or Meetup

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Connect with experts and learn about industry trends by attending workshops or meetups related to cloud computing.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing

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Search for upcoming cloud computing workshops or meetups in your area or online.
Select an event that aligns with your interests and learning objectives.
Participate actively in the event, ask questions, and network with other attendees.

Follow Tutorials on Creating and Deploying Cloud Applications

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Enhance your cloud computing skills by following guided tutorials on building and deploying cloud applications.

Browse courses on Cloud Application Development

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Find tutorials from reputable sources, such as cloud vendors or online learning platforms.
Select tutorials that align with your learning objectives and skill level.
Follow the instructions in the tutorials to create and deploy your own cloud applications.

Kubernetes Hands-On Lab

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Gain proficiency in managing containerized applications using the industry-standard Kubernetes platform.

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Set up a Kubernetes cluster
Deploy and manage containerized applications on Kubernetes
Monitor and troubleshoot your Kubernetes applications

Create a Presentation on Cloud Computing Concepts

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Solidify your understanding of cloud computing by creating a presentation on key concepts.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing

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Choose a topic related to cloud computing, such as cloud architecture, cloud services, or cloud security.
Research the topic thoroughly and gather relevant information.
Create a presentation outline and organize your content logically.
Design slides that are visually appealing and easy to follow.
Practice your presentation and deliver it to an audience or record it for review.

Practice Cloud Computing Exercises and Simulations

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Reinforce your understanding of cloud computing through practical exercises and simulations.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing

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Find online platforms or resources that provide cloud computing exercises or simulations.
Select exercises that cover different aspects of cloud computing, such as resource management, networking, and security.
Complete the exercises and simulations to test your knowledge and skills in a practical environment.

Career center

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

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work to combine software development (Dev) and operations (Ops) in order to build, test, and deploy software more quickly and efficiently. This course may be very useful to those who desire to enter this career field, as it provides a solid foundation in understanding how to manage cloud infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Network Engineer

Network Engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks. This course may be very useful to those who desire to enter this career field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding networking technologies used in cloud computing environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Cloud Operations Engineer

Cloud Operations Engineers are responsible for operating and maintaining cloud computing systems. This course may be very useful to those who desire to enter this career field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing and cloud infrastructure technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Operations Engineer

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects are responsible for designing and managing cloud computing systems. This course may be very useful to those who desire to enter this career field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing and cloud infrastructure technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines and data warehouses. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing and software development best practices for the cloud.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers are responsible for managing and designing cloud computing systems, and can work with one or more cloud service providers. They work to make sure that these systems are secure, reliable, scalable, and efficient. This course may be useful for anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

IT Manager

IT Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing information technology systems for organizations. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for maintaining and administering computer systems, networks, and data centers. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing and cloud infrastructure technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers are responsible for securing cloud computing systems and data. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Technical Program Manager

Technical Program Managers are responsible for planning, managing, and executing technology projects. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Program Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing and understanding business needs, and then translating those needs into technical requirements. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Cloud Developer Advocate

Cloud Developer Advocates are responsible for educating and supporting developers on cloud computing technologies. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Developer Advocate

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and deploying software. This course may be useful for anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing and software development best practices for the cloud.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting computer systems and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for defining, developing, and launching new products and features. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to enter this field, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding cloud computing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager