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IBM: Introduction to Cloud Computing

4.6 stars
406 ratings

Jumpstart your cloud expertise and explore offerings of AWS, Google, and IBM; delve into IaaS, PaaS, SaaS models, and cloud security. Experience IBM Cloud app deployment. Perfect for executives, students, and budding professionals.

Introduction to Cloud Computing
3 weeks
2–4 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

107,744 already enrolled! After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Nov 21

About this course

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Please Note: Learners who successfully complete this IBM course can earn a skill badge —a detailed, verifiable and digital credential that profiles the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired in this course. Enroll to learn more, complete the course and claim your badge!

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.

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Introduction to Cloud Computing

At a glance

  • Associated skills:Multi-Cloud, Cloud Infrastructure, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Engineering, Cloud Computing Security, Reliability Engineering, File Explorer, Cloud-Native Computing, Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Serverless Computing, Full Stack Development, IBM Cloud Computing, Cloud Security Architecture, Public Cloud, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Security Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Private Cloud, Platform as a Service (PaaS), DevOps, Cloud Services, Blockchain, Business Case, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Microservices, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS)

What you'll learn

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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.

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

Learner testimonials

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Best explanation of the basics of cloud computing via interactive methods.

-Previous Learner

This course gave me a clear picture of fundamentals of Cloud and its services. The assignments … in the IBM cloud were really helpful.

-Previous Learner

This course is part of DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
15 skill-building courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
1 year 1 month
7 - 9 hours per week

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