Introduction to Cloud Computing
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BeginnerCourse
This course introduces you to the core concepts of cloud computing. You will gain the foundational knowledge required for understanding cloud computing from both business and practitioner perspectives. You will also learn about cloud adoption and emerging technologies, cloud computing service and deployment models, different types of cloud storage, and emergent cloud trends.
Language
- English
Topic
- Cloud Computing
Skills You Will Learn
- Cloud Services, Cloud Computing, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Engineering, Full Stack Development
Offered By
- IBMSkillsNetwork
Estimated Effort
- 6 hours
Platform
- edX
Last Update
- May 14, 2025
About this Course
About this course
Begin your cloud computing mastery with this easy-to-follow, self-paced course. Gain the essential knowledge needed to understand cloud computing from a business perspective and as a hands-on cloud practitioner.
This course immerses you in the world of notable cloud service providers, including AWS, Google, IBM, and Microsoft. Explore their offered services and examine real-world applications through industry-specific case studies. You'll also dive into cloud adoption and its connection with technologies such as blockchain, analytics, and AI.
Discover the diverse cloud service models—Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS)—and deployment models—public, private, and hybrid. You'll grasp the core elements of cloud infrastructure, including VMs, networking, storage types, and CDNs. You’ll learn about emerging trends like Hybrid Multicloud, Microservices, Serverless, DevOps, Cloud Native, and Application Modernization. Learn the basics of cloud security, monitoring, and understand various roles in the cloud industry.
Throughout the course, you’ll hear from subject matter experts who will share their insights into Cloud technology and work as a Cloud Practitioner.
You'll gain hands-on experience, having deployed an application on IBM Cloud—a shareable project that makes for an impressive employment portfolio addition!
Whether you're an executive, manager, student, or professional seeking familiarity with cloud computing terminology and concepts, or you aim for a solid grounding in cloud computing for a career as a cloud engineer, full stack developer, DevOps engineer, service reliability engineer, or cybersecurity analyst, this course is your starting point.
What you'll learn
After completing this course, a learner will be able to:
This course immerses you in the world of notable cloud service providers, including AWS, Google, IBM, and Microsoft. Explore their offered services and examine real-world applications through industry-specific case studies. You'll also dive into cloud adoption and its connection with technologies such as blockchain, analytics, and AI.
Discover the diverse cloud service models—Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS)—and deployment models—public, private, and hybrid. You'll grasp the core elements of cloud infrastructure, including VMs, networking, storage types, and CDNs. You’ll learn about emerging trends like Hybrid Multicloud, Microservices, Serverless, DevOps, Cloud Native, and Application Modernization. Learn the basics of cloud security, monitoring, and understand various roles in the cloud industry.
Throughout the course, you’ll hear from subject matter experts who will share their insights into Cloud technology and work as a Cloud Practitioner.
You'll gain hands-on experience, having deployed an application on IBM Cloud—a shareable project that makes for an impressive employment portfolio addition!
Whether you're an executive, manager, student, or professional seeking familiarity with cloud computing terminology and concepts, or you aim for a solid grounding in cloud computing for a career as a cloud engineer, full stack developer, DevOps engineer, service reliability engineer, or cybersecurity analyst, this course is your starting point.
What you'll learn
After completing this course, a learner will be able to:
- Define cloud computing and explain essential characteristics, history, the business case for Cloud, and the emerging technologies enabled by Cloud.
- Describe Cloud service models, including IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
- Describe Public, Private, and Hybrid Cloud deployment models.
- Explain Cloud infrastructure components.
- Explain emerging cloud-related trends, including Hybrid, Multicloud, Microservices, Serverless, Cloud Native, DevOps, and Application Modernization.
- List and describe services of popular cloud platforms, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, and others.
Course syllabus
Module 1: Overview of Cloud Computing
- Introduction and Learning Objectives
- Definition and essential characteristics of cloud computing
- Expert Viewpoints: Definition and Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing
- History and Evolution of Cloud Computing
- Key Considerations for Cloud Computing
- Key Cloud Service Providers and Their Services
- Cloud Adoption - No Longer a Choice
- Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Adoption Benefits and Use Cases
- Cloud Adoption - Some Case Studies
- Internet of Things on the Cloud
- Artificial Intelligence on the Cloud
- Blockchain and Analytics on the Cloud
Module 2: Cloud Computing Models
- Introduction and Learning Objectives
- Overview of Cloud Service Models
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service
- Platform-as-a-Service
- Software-as-a-Service
- Public Cloud
- Private Cloud
- Hybrid Cloud
- Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Computing Service and Deployment Models
- Community Cloud
Module 3: Components of Cloud Computing
- Introduction and Learning Objectives
- Overview of Cloud Infrastructure
- Virtualization and Virtual Machines Explained
- Types of Virtual Machines
- Bare Metal Servers
- Secure Cloud Networking
- Containers
- Expert Viewpoints: Components of Cloud Computing
- Basics of Cloud Storage
- File Storage
- Block Storage
- Object Storage Overview
- Object Storage - Tiers and APIs
- Content Delivery Networks
- Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Storage
Module 4 - Emergent Trends and Practices
- Introduction and Learning Objectives
- Hybrid Multi-Cloud
- Microservices
- Serverless Computing
- Cloud Native Applications
- DevOps on the Cloud
- Application Modernization
- Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Native and Emergent Cloud Trends
Module 5: Cloud Security and Monitoring, Case Studies, and Jobs
- Introduction and Learning Objectives
- What is Cloud Security - Part 1
- What is Cloud Security - Part 2
- Policies and Principles of Access Management
- Identity and Access Management
- Cloud encryption
- Cloud Monitoring Basics and Benefits
- Cloud Monitoring Benefits
- Case Studies in Different Industry Verticals
- Career Opportunities and Job Roles in Cloud Computing
- Expert Viewpoints: Job Market for Cloud Computing
- Final Project: Deploy an application on the cloud
- HONORS Assignment: Architect a Cloud-based solution
- Final Exam
Recommended skills prior to taking the course
Basic computer literacy. No prior knowledge of Cloud Computing or Computer Programming.
Language
- English
Topic
- Cloud Computing
Skills You Will Learn
- Cloud Services, Cloud Computing, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Engineering, Full Stack Development
Offered By
- IBMSkillsNetwork
Estimated Effort
- 6 hours
Platform
- edX
Last Update
- May 14, 2025
Instructors
Rav Ahuja
Global Program Director, IBM Skills Network
Rav Ahuja is a Global Program Director at IBM. He leads growth strategy, curriculum creation, and partner programs for the IBM Skills Network. Rav co-founded Cognitive Class, an IBM led initiative to democratize skills for in demand technologies. He is based out of the IBM Canada Lab in Toronto and specializes in instructional solutions for AI, Data, Software Engineering and Cloud. Rav presents at events worldwide and has authored numerous papers, articles, books and courses on subjects in managing and analyzing data. Rav holds B. Eng. from McGill University and MBA from University of Western Ontario.
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