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Anh Le

Explore cloud computing basics without installing anything!

This course is designed for semi-technical and business learners, providing a solid foundation of cloud computing basics. Learners will build an understanding of how infrastructure as a service (IaaS) works as well. The modules in this course cover cloud computing basics, considerations for IaaS adoption, techniques for IaaS success and growth, as well as provide an exploratory IaaS experience for learners.

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Explore cloud computing basics without installing anything!

This course is designed for semi-technical and business learners, providing a solid foundation of cloud computing basics. Learners will build an understanding of how infrastructure as a service (IaaS) works as well. The modules in this course cover cloud computing basics, considerations for IaaS adoption, techniques for IaaS success and growth, as well as provide an exploratory IaaS experience for learners.

To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course is video-free. Assignments contain short explanations with images and suggested exploration examples, building a deeper understanding by doing. You'll benefit from instant feedback from a variety of assessment items along the way, gently progressing from quick understanding checks (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling answer blocks) to small, approachable exercises that take minutes instead of hours.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Cloud Computing Primer
This module introduces learners to the three primary cloud computing service models: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). In addition, four cloud deployment models will also be introduced: public, private, community, and hybrid.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores cloud computing fundamentals, a subject of increasing industry relevance
Suitable for individuals with a general interest or background in business
Takes a learner-centered approach by avoiding video content and providing interactive exploration opportunities
Provides a comprehensive foundation in IaaS concepts, suitable for beginners in the field
Offers a practical component by incorporating a small-scale IaaS deployment exercise

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Reviews summary

Foundational iaas for business and semi-technical learners

According to learners, this 'Cloud Computing Primer: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)' course is a largely positive and effective introduction for those new to cloud concepts. Students particularly appreciate its self-paced, video-free format, which uses clear text explanations and interactive exercises, providing instant feedback to solidify understanding. Many praise the hands-on activities, including a GitHub deployment demo, for making complex topics accessible. While it excels as a foundational course for semi-technical and business learners, some more experienced technical users found the depth too basic, wishing for more advanced or less guided content. Overall, it successfully delivers on its promise as a 'primer' for IaaS.
Covers IaaS aspects valuable for business professionals.
"I particularly appreciated the modules on IaaS providers and financial models, which are relevant for my job."
"The content around SLAs and cloud financial models was particularly useful for a business perspective."
"As a business analyst, the parts about providers and adoption strategies were directly applicable."
Provides clear and concise explanations of IaaS concepts.
"I found the explanations clear and the examples very helpful."
"The concepts of provisioning and virtualization were explained very clearly."
"A concise and well-structured course for an introduction to IaaS."
Hands-on exercises and demos solidify concepts.
"The hands-on exercises, especially the GitHub deployment, were invaluable."
"The interactive exercises were well-designed and provided instant feedback..."
"The structured exercises really solidify the learning... The GitHub deployment was interesting but very simple."
The video-free, interactive format works very well.
"The video-free format with text and images works surprisingly well, allowing me to learn at my own pace."
"The interactive exercises were well-designed and provided instant feedback, which kept me engaged."
"The self-paced format with clear explanations and practical examples made complex topics accessible. The instant feedback on quizzes was super helpful."
Perfectly suited for foundational understanding.
"This course was a fantastic introduction to IaaS. As someone with a business background looking to understand cloud infrastructure better, I found the explanations clear..."
"Absolutely brilliant for understanding the basics of cloud computing and IaaS... helped me bridge some knowledge gaps quickly. Great starting point!"
"Truly a primer! This course perfectly fits its description. I had almost no knowledge of cloud computing, and now I feel confident in understanding IaaS basics..."
Lacks depth for experienced technical learners.
"While it's advertised for 'semi-technical' learners, I found it too basic for my background as a software developer."
"I was expecting more technical depth and actual coding challenges related to cloud deployment. Not for experienced tech folks."
"I found myself looking for external resources to get a deeper understanding of some topics."

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 Primer: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) with these activities:
Provisioning in the Cloud
Review and practice provisioning to familiarize yourself with the basics of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) before starting the course.
Browse courses on Provisioning
Show steps
  • Identify a cloud provider and create an account.
  • Choose a cloud region and create a virtual machine.
  • Configure network settings and security groups.
Cloud Computing Fundamentals Quiz
Take this quiz to test your understanding of cloud computing concepts covered in the first module, helping you identify areas for improvement.
Browse courses on Cloud Computing
Show steps
  • Read the questions carefully.
  • Select the correct answers.
  • Review your results.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials Tutorial
Complete this tutorial to gain a comprehensive understanding of cloud computing concepts and AWS services, which will complement the course content.
Browse courses on AWS
Show steps
  • Watch the video lectures.
  • Complete the practice exercises.
  • Take the practice exam.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture
Read this comprehensive textbook to deepen your understanding of cloud computing fundamentals, gaining insights into various cloud deployment models and service offerings.
Show steps
  • Read the assigned chapters.
  • Take notes and highlight key concepts.
  • Complete the review questions at the end of each chapter.
Mentor a Junior Cloud Engineer
Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring a junior cloud engineer, reinforcing your understanding while supporting their professional growth.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Identify a mentee.
  • Set clear goals and expectations.
  • Provide guidance and support.
  • Offer feedback and encouragement.
  • Celebrate successes.
Contribute to Terraform
Contribute to an open-source project related to IaaS by submitting bug reports, documentation improvements, or code patches, to enhance your understanding and practical skills.
Browse courses on Terraform
Show steps
  • Find an issue to work on.
  • Fork the repository and make changes.
  • Submit a pull request.
Cloud Computing Workshop for Developers
Attend a hands-on workshop to gain practical experience with IaaS concepts, deploying and managing infrastructure in a cloud environment.
Browse courses on Cloud Computing
Show steps
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Prepare for the workshop by reviewing the prerequisites.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate.
  • Complete the post-workshop assignments.
  • Apply what you learned in the workshop to your own projects.
Design an IaaS Solution for a Small Business
Conceptualize and design an IaaS solution for a small business, showcasing your understanding of IaaS considerations and service models.
Browse courses on IaaS
Show steps
  • Define the business requirements.
  • Research and select cloud providers.
  • Design the IaaS architecture.
  • Estimate the costs.
  • Present your solution.

Career center

Learners who complete Cloud Computing Primer: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cloud Architect
Cloud Architects lead the planning, implementation, and operational management of IaaS solutions for diverse organizations. The course covers IaaS concepts, service models, and best practices. This knowledge is critical for Cloud Architects to effectively design, architect, and manage IaaS environments.
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Engineers leverage IaaS to design, build, and manage cloud infrastructure. By taking this course, Cloud Engineers will gain a strong understanding of IaaS concepts, such as virtualization, provisioning, and service models. This knowledge will enhance their ability to implement and manage IaaS solutions.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers bridge the gap between development and operations teams by streamlining and automating software delivery processes. This course provides DevOps Engineers with a solid foundation in IaaS concepts, enabling them to integrate IaaS services into their DevOps pipelines.
IT Manager
IT Managers oversee the organization's information technology infrastructure, including IaaS services. Taking this course will help IT Managers stay up-to-date with the latest IaaS trends and best practices. This knowledge will enable them to make informed decisions about IaaS adoption and implementation.
IT Infrastructure Architect
IT Infrastructure Architects design, build, and manage the underlying infrastructure that supports an organization's IT systems. This course will provide IT Infrastructure Architects with a comprehensive understanding of IaaS concepts, enabling them to design and implement scalable and efficient IaaS solutions.
Network Engineer
Network Engineers design, implement, and manage an organization's computer networks, utilizing IaaS for network infrastructure. By taking this course, Network Engineers will gain a deep understanding of IaaS concepts, such as virtualization and provisioning, empowering them to seamlessly integrate IaaS into their network designs.
Product Manager
Product Managers oversee the development and launch of products and may leverage IaaS to provide infrastructure for their products. This course will provide Product Managers with a fundamental understanding of IaaS concepts, enabling them to make informed decisions about IaaS adoption and integration.
Security Architect
Security Architects design and implement security measures for an organization's information systems. This course will provide Security Architects with a solid understanding of IaaS security considerations and best practices. This knowledge will help them effectively secure IaaS environments.
Software Developer
Software Developers utilize IaaS to build and deploy their software applications. By taking this course, Software Developers will gain a strong foundation in IaaS concepts, enabling them to leverage IaaS services effectively in their development process.
Solutions Architect
Solutions Architects design and implement technical solutions for customer needs, often leveraging IaaS services. This course will provide Solutions Architects with a comprehensive understanding of IaaS concepts, empowering them to design and deliver effective solutions that incorporate IaaS.
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators manage and maintain computer systems, including IaaS environments. This course will equip Systems Administrators with a solid understanding of IaaS concepts and best practices, enabling them to effectively manage and maintain IaaS infrastructure.
Technical Consultant
Technical Consultants provide guidance and expertise to clients on technology-related issues, including IaaS adoption. By taking this course, Technical Consultants will gain a deep understanding of IaaS concepts, enabling them to provide informed advice to their clients.
Technical Support Specialist
Technical Support Specialists provide technical assistance to users, which may include IaaS-related issues. This course will provide Technical Support Specialists with a strong understanding of IaaS concepts, enabling them to effectively resolve IaaS-related problems.
Virtualization Engineer
Virtualization Engineers design and implement virtualization solutions, often utilizing IaaS for their projects. This course will provide Virtualization Engineers with a comprehensive understanding of IaaS concepts, enabling them to design and implement effective virtualization solutions that leverage IaaS.

Reading list

We've selected seven 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 Primer: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, including its concepts, technologies, and architectures. It valuable resource for understanding the fundamentals of cloud computing and its applications.
Provides a practical and hands-on approach to cloud computing, covering its key concepts and technologies. It valuable resource for those who want to learn how to use cloud computing in practice.
Provides a practical guide to cloud computing for IT professionals, covering its key concepts, technologies, and tools. It valuable resource for those who want to learn how to use cloud computing in an IT context.
Combines theoretical explanations with hands-on exercises, providing a practical approach to learning cloud computing. It valuable resource for individuals looking to gain hands-on experience with cloud platforms.
Provides practical guidance for IT professionals looking to adopt cloud computing. It covers topics such as cloud architecture, migration strategies, and cost optimization.
Covers a wide range of cloud computing topics, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. It provides in-depth explanations and case studies, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced professionals.
Provides a simplified and approachable introduction to cloud computing. It good starting point for individuals with little to no prior knowledge of the subject.

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