May 1, 2024
Updated June 25, 2025
28 minute read
Navigating the World of Public Cloud
Public cloud computing represents a fundamental shift in how businesses and individuals access and utilize computing resources. At its core, public cloud refers to computing services offered by third-party providers over the public internet, making them available to anyone who wants to use or purchase them. These services can range from simple storage and processing power to complex applications like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Unlike traditional on-premises IT, where organizations manage their own physical servers and infrastructure, the public cloud allows users to tap into a vast pool of shared resources on demand. This model is akin to a utility service; just as you consume electricity from a power grid without owning or managing the power plant, you can access computing power and software from the cloud without managing the underlying hardware.
Working with public cloud technologies can be an engaging and exciting prospect for several reasons. Firstly, it places you at the forefront of technological innovation. Cloud platforms are constantly evolving, incorporating cutting-edge advancements in areas like data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), and serverless computing. Secondly, the scale and reach of public cloud are immense, enabling the development and deployment of applications that can serve a global audience almost instantaneously. This provides a unique opportunity to contribute to projects with significant impact. Finally, the dynamic nature of the public cloud environment means continuous learning and adaptation, which can be highly rewarding for those who thrive on new challenges and skill development.
Introduction to Public Cloud
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Find a path to becoming a Public Cloud. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/jgtuub/public
Reading list
We've selected 30 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
Public Cloud.
Provides a vendor-neutral and industry-centric view of cloud computing, breaking down concepts, models, and mechanisms. It is highly valuable for establishing a strong foundation in cloud computing, making it suitable for those new to the topic or seeking a comprehensive overview. It is often used as a textbook in academic settings. The second edition includes updated coverage on containerization and cybersecurity.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) fundamental practice in public cloud environments, directly relevant to the 'Exam Prep: HashiCorp Certified Terraform Associate (003)' course. provides a comprehensive guide to managing infrastructure through code, which is essential for automation and scalability in the cloud.
Cloud security critical contemporary topic. guides readers through security best practices in multi-vendor cloud environments, covering major platforms like AWS, Azure, and IBM Cloud. It's essential for anyone looking to understand the security implications of public cloud adoption and how to design and deploy secure cloud solutions.
Provides a deep dive into cloud security techniques and tactics. It's a valuable resource for understanding the nuances of securing cloud environments and is suitable for those looking to specialize in cloud security.
Delves into the patterns and practices for designing applications specifically for cloud-native environments. It's highly relevant for understanding contemporary cloud development and architecture, moving beyond basic cloud concepts to building resilient and scalable applications in the cloud.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts, technologies, and applications of public cloud computing. It covers a wide range of topics, including cloud architecture, virtualization, resource management, storage, security, and big data.
While aimed at a specific certification, this book provides a comprehensive overview of Amazon Web Services (AWS), a major public cloud provider. It's an excellent resource for understanding core AWS services and best practices, making it highly relevant for those interested in the 'Introduction to AWS Cloud Careers' and 'Understanding the Difference Between Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS' courses. It serves as a valuable reference for AWS professionals.
A direct follow-up to 'The Phoenix Project', this handbook provides practical guidance on implementing DevOps principles. It covers key practices like Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, and Site Reliability Engineering, all of which are crucial for operating effectively in the public cloud.
Authored by Google engineers, this book outlines the principles and practices of Site Reliability Engineering (SRE). SRE is closely related to DevOps and is essential for managing large-scale, highly available systems in the cloud. It provides deep insights into operating reliable cloud services.
As organizations increasingly adopt strategies involving multiple cloud providers, understanding multi-cloud architecture and governance is becoming essential. covers building and managing solutions across different public and private cloud platforms, reflecting a contemporary trend in the cloud landscape.
Microservices architecture common pattern for building applications in the cloud. provides a thorough understanding of designing and implementing microservices, which is highly relevant for cloud-native development and complements the understanding of cloud architecture.
FinOps rapidly growing discipline focused on managing the cost of cloud usage. is highly relevant to contemporary public cloud topics, addressing the financial aspects of operating in the cloud, which key concern for businesses and professionals.
Focuses on the design decisions involved in cloud computing across different service models. It provides valuable insights for understanding how to architect solutions in the cloud, which is relevant for those looking to deepen their technical understanding and aligns with cloud architecture concepts.
Covers the foundational aspects and evolving trends in cloud computing security. It's a good resource for gaining a solid understanding of the security landscape in the cloud.
This concise book introduces specific architectural patterns for leveraging cloud platform services effectively. It's a practical guide for understanding common cloud design solutions and their impact on application architecture, useful for those looking for concrete examples of cloud design.
While not exclusively about cloud, this book is crucial for anyone designing applications that handle large amounts of data, a common scenario in the cloud. It covers fundamental concepts related to data systems that are highly applicable to cloud databases and data processing services.
This edited collection provides a broad overview of cloud computing principles and paradigms from various researchers. It's a comprehensive resource for understanding the academic and theoretical underpinnings of cloud computing.
Covers the technical details of public and private cloud technologies, as well as the strategy and implementation details for migrating applications to the cloud. It's useful for gaining a deeper understanding of how cloud technologies work in practice and the process of cloud migration, aligning with the 'Cloud Migration Fundamentals' course.
Offers an accessible entry point to cloud computing for those without a technical background. It helps build a fundamental vocabulary and understand the core concepts across major cloud platforms. This is an excellent starting point for high school students or those in introductory undergraduate programs who need a gentle introduction before diving into more technical material.
Provides a practical guide to cloud computing. It covers a wide range of topics, including cloud architecture, virtualization, resource management, data storage, security, and big data. The book also includes a number of hands-on exercises and projects.
Provides a comprehensive guide to securing public cloud environments. It covers a wide range of topics, including cloud security architecture, data encryption, access control, and incident response.
Provides a practical guide to cloud computing. It covers a wide range of topics, including cloud architecture, virtualization, resource management, data storage, security, and big data. The book also includes a number of case studies and best practices.
Explores the challenges and strategies for adopting and delivering cloud computing services within organizations. It provides insights into the practical aspects of cloud adoption and its impact on businesses, relevant for understanding the organizational context of public cloud.
Provides a comprehensive overview of public cloud computing architecture, deployment, and management. It covers a wide range of topics, including cloud architecture, virtualization, resource management, data storage, security, and big data.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/jgtuub/public
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