CloudU Curriculum


The following 10 lessons make up the CloudU Curriculum. This curriculum, just like university, starts off with the basics and gets more advanced as it progresses. Each lesson is accompanied by a quiz, but don’t worry–if you read the lesson whitepaper, you won’t have any trouble passing with flying colors.

Even if you don’t register for CloudU so that you can earn the Certificate, you can still read and watch all the materials.

So what are you waiting for? Starting learning about the cloud today!

CloudU Lessons


LESSON1
Revolution Not Evolution
How Cloud Computing Differs from Traditional IT and Why it Matters

In this lesson, you will learn how Cloud Computing is a revolution that will define IT in the future. Special focus will be given to the following elements of Cloud Computing:

Virtualization – The ability to increase computing efficiency

Democratization of Computing – Bringing enterprise scale infrastructure to small and medium businesses

Scalability and Fast Provisioning – Bringing web scale IT at a rapid pace

Commoditization of Infrastructure – Enabling IT to focus on the strategic aspects of its role

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LESSON2
Cloudonomics
The Economics of Cloud Computing

In this lesson, you will learn how four distinct mechanisms of Cloud Computing contribute to cost savings:

-lowering the opportunity cost of running technology
-allowing for a shift from capital expenditure to operating expenditure
-lowering the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of technology
-giving organizations the ability to add business value by renewed focus on core activities

Special attention will be paid to how Cloud Computing delivers economic benefits beyond cost savings by allowing an organization to focus its resources on areas where it has the greatest strategic differentiation.

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LESSON3
Understanding the Cloud Computing Stack
SaaS, PaaS and IaaS

In this Lesson, you will learn about the characteristics of three different types of Cloud Computing, commonly referred to as:

-Software as a Service (SaaS)
-Platform as a Service (PaaS)
-Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Guidance will be provided on situations where particular flavors of Cloud Computing may or may not be the best option for an organization.

Start Lesson
LESSON4
Say Goodbye to DIY Data Centers
An Infrastructure-as-a-Service Intensive

In this Lesson, you will learn about the characteristics of a type of Cloud Computing commonly referred to as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). IaaS is mostly commonly associated with the following components:

-Compute
-Storage
-Network
-Database
-Monitoring and Autoscale

In addition to discussing these individual building blocks, this lesson will also discuss different ways to combine these components in order to meet various business requirements.

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LESSON5
Elephant in the Room
Cloud Security and What Vendors and Customers Need To Do To Stay Secure

In this Lesson, you will learn how Cloud Computing security should be regarded as a partnership between the vendor and the customer with both parties having responsibility for different aspects of security.

Areas that vendors are typically responsible for include:

-Physical data center security; host machine operating system; hypervisor; network security

While customers are typically responsible for:

-software and hardware firewall configuration; patches and backups; maintaining strong passwords; virtual machine security and access controls.

Start Lesson
LESSON6
Planning a Move to the Cloud
Tips, Tricks and Pitfalls

In this Lesson, you will learn about three broad areas that organizations need to think about when moving to the Cloud;

-Technical considerations related to specific technology challenges that Cloud Computing may raise
-External business consideration related to dealing with 3rd party Cloud providers
-Internal business considerations related to potential non-technology impacts upon the business caused by the move to the Cloud

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LESSON7
Running a Business on the Cloud
Management Strategies for the New IT

In this Lesson, you will learn specific management strategies that can be used as your business begins to consume IT resources using Cloud Computing.

Key areas covered include:

-Planning for Shifting IT Responsibilities
-Developing New Skills
-Recruitment, Training, Hiring and Retention of Cloud Professionals

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LESSON8
Creative Configurations
Mixing and Matching Public, Private and Hybrid Clouds for Maximum Benefits

In this Lesson, you will learn about three distinct delivery mechanisms of Cloud Computing:

-Public Cloud
-Private Cloud
-Hybrid Cloud

Special attention will be given to situations where each of these mechanisms may and may not be appropriate for a particular workload in an organization.

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LESSON9
Does Data Want to be Free?
Exploring Issues in the Open Cloud from Vendor Lock-in to Open Standards

In this Lesson, you will learn about how Open Standards and Open Source software are contributing to innovation in Cloud Computing while reducing the risk of vendor-lock in.

Major "open" Cloud Computing initiatives will be discussed, including those related to:

-Application Programing Interfaces (APIs)
-Hypervisors
-Compute
-Data centers

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LESSON10
You Want to Put My Database Where?
Determining the Right Fit Between Your Technology and the Cloud, and When It Makes Sense to Stay In-House

In this Lesson, you will learn about how Business and Technical drivers impact decisions on which applications should be moved to the Cloud and which should stay in house.

Key Business drivers include:
-Location of User Base; Budgetary and Capital Constraints; Development and Testing Requirements; Hiring Ability

While key Technical drivers include:

-Load Variability; Automation Requirements; Resiliency and Redundancy; Security

Start Lesson

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