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Introduction to Cloud Computing
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IBM

Introduction to Cloud Computing

This course is part of multiple programs.

This course is part of multiple programs

IBM & Darden Digital Strategy Specialization
IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate
IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate
IBM IT Support Professional Certificate
Cloud Application Development Foundations Specialization
IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate
Key Technologies for Business Specialization
Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals Specialization
DevOps, Cloud, and Agile Foundations Specialization
Rav Ahuja

Instructor: Rav Ahuja

404,919 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

•Learn more
6 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

(7,373 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

This course does not require any previous cloud computing or programming experience. 

Flexible schedule
1 week at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course

6 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

(7,373 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

This course does not require any previous cloud computing or programming experience. 

Flexible schedule
1 week at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

What you'll learn

  • Define cloud computing and explain essential characteristics, history, the business case for cloud, and the emerging technologies enabled by cloud

  • Describe the cloud service models- IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and cloud deployment models- Public, Private, Hybrid; explain cloud infrastructure components

  • Explain emerging Cloud related trends including HybridMulticloud, 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

Skills you'll gain

  • Cloud Storage
  • Cloud Computing
  • Cloud Solutions
  • Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)
  • Cloud Infrastructure
  • Cloud Services
  • Cloud Platforms
  • Cloud-Native Computing
  • Cloud Security
  • Cloud Engineering
  • Cloud Technologies
  • Cloud Development
  • Hybrid Cloud Computing
  • Cloud Computing Architecture
  • IBM Cloud
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Software As A Service
  • Cloud Management
  • Cloud Hosting
  • DevOps

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

17 assignments

Taught in English

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  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 6 modules in this course

Start your cloud computing journey with this self-paced introductory course! Whether you need general cloud computing knowledge for school or business, or you are considering a career change, this beginner-friendly course is right for you.

In this course you’ll learn about essential characteristics of cloud computing and emerging technologies supported by cloud. You’ll explore cloud service models, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Public, Private, and Hybrid deployment models. Discover the offerings of prominent cloud service providers AWS, Google, IBM, Microsoft, and others, and review cloud computing case studies. Learn about cloud adoption, blockchain, analytics, and AI. You will learn about the many components of cloud computing architecture including datacenters, availability zones, virtual machines, containers, and bare metal servers. You will also familiarize yourself with different types of cloud storage options, such as Object Storage. You’ll gain foundational knowledge of emergent cloud trends and practices including Hybrid, Multicloud, Microservices, Serverless, DevOps, Cloud Native, Application Modernization, as well as learn about cloud security and monitoring. You’ll also explore cloud computing job roles and possible career paths and opportunities. You will complete a number of labs and quizzes throughout this course to increase your understanding of course content. At the end of the course, you will complete a final project where you will deploy an application to Cloud using a serverless architecture, a valuable addition to your portfolio. After this course, check out the related courses to help you towards your new career as a cloud engineer, full stack developer, DevOps engineer, cybersecurity analyst, and others.

In Module 1, in the first lesson, you will learn the definition of cloud computing and its five essential characteristics. In the next topic, you will learn about the history and evolution of cloud computing and the benefits of the pay-as-you-go feature of cloud computing. The third topic will describe the key considerations, benefits, and challenges of cloud computing. You will next discuss some common cloud service providers. In the second lesson, you will learn the need for cloud adoption by businesses. You will then discuss some case studies of businesses that benefitted from cloud adoption. In the third lesson, you will learn about emerging technologies like IoT, AI, Blockchain, and so on that leverage cloud’s scalability and processing power to provide value to individuals and businesses alike, supported by some case studies.

What's included

12 videos7 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

12 videos•Total 53 minutes
  • Course Welcome•4 minutes•Preview module
  • Definition and Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing•4 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Definition and Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing•5 minutes
  • History and Evolution of Cloud Computing•3 minutes
  • Key Considerations for Cloud Computing•3 minutes
  • Key Cloud Service Providers and Their Services•5 minutes
  • Cloud Adoption - No longer a choice•3 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Adoption Benefits and Use Cases•4 minutes
  • Cloud Adoption - Some case studies•5 minutes
  • Internet of Things in the Cloud•4 minutes
  • Artificial Intelligence on the Cloud•3 minutes
  • Blockchain and Analytics in the Cloud•5 minutes
7 readings•Total 12 minutes
  • About the Course•3 minutes
  • Course Learning Objectives•3 minutes
  • Course Syllabus•1 minute
  • Lesson 1 Summary: Introduction to Cloud Computing•1 minute
  • Lesson 2 Summary: Business Case for Cloud Computing•1 minute
  • Lesson 3 Summary: Emerging Technologies Accelerated by Cloud•1 minute
  • Module 1 Glossary: Overview of Cloud Computing•2 minutes
4 assignments•Total 48 minutes
  • Module 1 Graded Quiz: Overview of Cloud Computing •30 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Introduction to Cloud Computing•8 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Business Case for Cloud Computing•4 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Emerging Technologies Accelerated by Cloud•6 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 3 minutes
  • Introduce yourself•3 minutes

In Module 2, you will learn about the different types of service and deployment models of cloud computing. The first lesson covers the three main service models available on the cloud—Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). You will learn the differences between each model, the advantages of each, and the key components of cloud infrastructure. The second lesson goes over the four main deployment models available on the cloud—public, private, hybrid, and community. You will learn what deployment models are and the differences and advantages of each model. At the end of the module, you will create an account on IBM Cloud.

What's included

8 videos5 readings3 assignments1 app item1 plugin

8 videos•Total 44 minutes
  • Overview of Cloud Service Models•4 minutes•Preview module
  • IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service•4 minutes
  • PaaS - Platform as a Service•6 minutes
  • SaaS - Software as a Service•4 minutes
  • Public Cloud•5 minutes
  • Private Cloud•4 minutes
  • Hybrid Cloud•9 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Computing Service and Deployment Models•5 minutes
5 readings•Total 12 minutes
  • Lesson 1 Summary: Service Models•1 minute
  • Community Cloud•6 minutes
  • Lesson 2 Summary: Deployment Models•2 minutes
  • Module 2 Glossary: Cloud Computing Models•2 minutes
  • Reading: IBM Cloud Account•1 minute
3 assignments•Total 44 minutes
  • Module 2 Graded Quiz: Cloud Computing Models •30 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Service Models•8 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Deployment Models•6 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
  • [Optional] Obtain IBM Cloud Feature Code and Activate Trial Account•60 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • [Optional] Hands-on Lab: Create an IBM account •15 minutes

In Module 3, you will learn about the various components of a cloud computing architecture, such as the virtualization of virtual machines and bare metal servers, and the difference between virtual machines and bare metal servers. You will learn the different types of virtual machines, how to build a secure cloud networking presence, how container-based technologies work, and the benefits of a Content Delivery Network. In the second lesson, we will also familiarize you with the four main types of cloud storage—Direct Attached, File, Block, and Object Storage. You will learn the differences in how they can be accessed, the capacity they offer, how much they cost, the types of data they are best suited to store, and their read-write speed.

What's included

14 videos3 readings3 assignments

14 videos•Total 77 minutes
  • Overview of Cloud Infrastructure•5 minutes•Preview module
  • Virtualization and Virtual Machines Explained•5 minutes
  • Types of Virtual Machines•5 minutes
  • Bare Metal Servers•3 minutes
  • Secure Networking in Cloud•4 minutes
  • Containers•8 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Components of Cloud Computing•5 minutes
  • Basics of Storage on Cloud•5 minutes
  • File Storage•3 minutes
  • Block Storage•7 minutes
  • Object Storage Overview•5 minutes
  • Object Storage - Tiers and APIs•4 minutes
  • CDN - Content Delivery Networks•5 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Storage•7 minutes
3 readings•Total 7 minutes
  • Lesson 1 Summary: Cloud Infrastructure•3 minutes
  • Lesson 2 Summary: Cloud Storage and Content Delivery Networks•2 minutes
  • Module 3 Glossary: Components of Cloud Computing•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 52 minutes
  • Module 3 Graded Quiz: Components of Cloud Computing •30 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Cloud Infrastructure•12 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Cloud Storage and Content Delivery Networks•10 minutes

In Module 4, you will learn about the use cases and challenges of emergent trends in cloud computing, such as hybrid multi-cloud, serverless computing, and microservices. Additionally, this module will teach you about the core concepts and benefits of cloud native applications, the role of DevOps in addressing some of the complexities of cloud computing, and how organizations can benefit from modernizing their applications.

What's included

7 videos4 readings3 assignments

7 videos•Total 46 minutes
  • Hybrid Multi-cloud•7 minutes•Preview module
  • Microservices•5 minutes
  • Serverless Computing•5 minutes
  • Cloud Native Applications•6 minutes
  • DevOps on the Cloud•4 minutes
  • Application Modernization•8 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Cloud Native and Emergent Cloud Trends•7 minutes
4 readings•Total 11 minutes
  • Lesson 1 Summary•2 minutes
  • DevOps on the Cloud•5 minutes
  • Lesson 2 Summary•2 minutes
  • Module 4 Glossary: Emergent Trends and Practices•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 46 minutes
  • Module 4 Graded Quiz: Emergent Trends and Practices•30 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Hybrid Multi-cloud, Microservices, Serverless Computing •10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Cloud Native Applications, DevOps, and Application Modernization•6 minutes

In Module 5, you will learn about elements of cloud security, including Identity and Access Management and cloud encryption. This module will cover how organizations leverage cloud monitoring solutions to optimize business benefits. It will familiarize you with cloud adoption case studies in different industry verticals, and the various career opportunities and job roles available in the field of cloud computing today.

What's included

8 videos5 readings3 assignments

8 videos•Total 46 minutes
  • What is Cloud Security - Part 1•5 minutes•Preview module
  • What is Cloud Security - Part 2•6 minutes
  • Identity and Access Management•6 minutes
  • Cloud Encryption•5 minutes
  • Cloud Monitoring - Basics and Benefits•4 minutes
  • Case Studies in Different Industry Verticals•8 minutes
  • Career Opportunities and Job Roles in Cloud Computing•5 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Job Market for Cloud Computing•5 minutes
5 readings•Total 27 minutes
  • Policies and Principles of Access Management•8 minutes
  • Cloud Monitoring and Benefits•10 minutes
  • Lesson Summary: Cloud Security and Monitoring•3 minutes
  • Lesson Summary: Case Studies and Jobs•2 minutes
  • Module 5 Glossary: Cloud Security, Monitoring, Case Studies, & Jobs•4 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
  • Module 5 Graded Quiz: Cloud Security, Monitoring, Case Studies, & Jobs•30 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Cloud Security and Monitoring•10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Case Studies and Jobs•10 minutes

In this module, you will complete a final project to deploy a containerized application on the cloud using a serverless technology (no programming experience needed). You can also demonstrate your knowledge of cloud computing by completing an optional assessment based on a cloud architecture design case study.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment1 app item1 plugin

1 video•Total 6 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Your Career in Cloud Computing•6 minutes•Preview module
3 readings•Total 6 minutes
  • About this optional assignment•1 minute
  • Congrats & Next Steps•3 minutes
  • Thanks from the Course Team•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
  • Case Study Quiz: Modernize with Cloud •20 minutes
1 app item•Total 30 minutes
  • Hands-on Project: Deploy an Application on Cloud•30 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
  • Case Study: Modernize a Food Delivery Service with Cloud•30 minutes

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Instructor

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4.6 (2,263 ratings)
Rav Ahuja
Rav Ahuja
IBM
57 Courses•3,990,670 learners

Offered by

IBM

Offered by

IBM

At IBM, we know how rapidly tech evolves and recognize the crucial need for businesses and professionals to build job-ready, hands-on skills quickly. As a market-leading tech innovator, we’re committed to helping you thrive in this dynamic landscape. Through IBM Skills Network, our expertly designed training programs in AI, software development, cybersecurity, data science, business management, and more, provide the essential skills you need to secure your first job, advance your career, or drive business success. Whether you’re upskilling yourself or your team, our courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates build the technical expertise that ensures you, and your organization, excel in a competitive world.

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Learner reviews

4.6

7,373 reviews

  • 5 stars

    73.37%

  • 4 stars

    19.99%

  • 3 stars

    3.89%

  • 2 stars

    1.24%

  • 1 star

    1.49%

Showing 3 of 7373

M
MA
4

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2023

This course is amazing for beginners to learn about cloud computing. You will learn about public, private, and hybrid cloud computing. how to make your business efficient with cloud storage.

N
NP
5

Reviewed on Feb 3, 2025

Nice introduction to cloud computing, give it 5 stars because there is a section about emerging trends such as microservices and SaaS. Totally recommended to grasp a general idea in cloud computing.

A
AN
5

Reviewed on Apr 3, 2021

This topic about cloud computing is really informative and insightful. Appreciate it! A lot of information I have gained from this course. Indeed, help me a for cloud development in my institution

View more reviews
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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

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