Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course, the student can:
- learn about the history and background of Cloud Computing
- discover Cloud Computing including examples of real-world problems
- understand the most commonly used platforms for cloud computing such as Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure (and possibly CSC Finland).
- understand the various Service models on Cloud as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
- learn the basic network security techniques in the cloud environment

Content

- Cloud computing
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
- Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
- Cloud computing technologies and tools
- Security in the cloud environment

Materials

Task-specific material to be announced separately in Its Learning

Teaching methods

- Self-paced learning and small group work
- Learning by doing and experimenting (exercise tasks, project work, information search)
- Small group work and peer learning
- Self-study material
- Teacher guidance and examples

Exam schedules

No exam, and retake not possible after evaluation grade is published.

International connections

Self paced, FLIP classrooms and learning by doing

Completion alternatives

Self-paced learning

Student workload

Contact hours
- Course introduction: 3 hours
- Group Project Presentations: 3 hours
- 16 times AWS Academy self paced sessions: 16 x 2h = 32 hours
- 2h theory self paced: 12 x 2h = 24 hours
Home work:
- Working with assignments: approximately 80 hours

Total: approximately 142 hours

Content scheduling

The course content is divided into four learning objectives(CLOs):

CLO1 Analyze classic data centers and cloud data center solutions.

Introduction to Cloud Computing
1.1 Understand the limitations of traditional computing and evolution of cloud computing
1.2 Understand the concepts of Cluster, Grid and Cloud Computing, its benefits and challenges

Cloud Computing Models and Services
1.3 Explore the standard cloud model, cloud deployment and service delivery models
1.4 Understand service abstraction

Resource Virtualization and Pooling
1.5 Implement physical computing resources virtualization
1.6 Implement machine, server level and operating system virtualization
1.7 Understand resource pooling, sharing and resource provisioning

CLO2 Design a cloud data center based on specific technical requirements.

Resource Virtualization and Pooling
2.1 Implement physical computing resources virtualization
2.2 Implement machine, server level and operating system virtualization

Scaling and Capacity Planning
2.3 Understand the foundation of cloud scaling
2.4 Explore scaling strategies and implement scalable applications
2.5 Explore approaches for capacity planning

Load Balancing
2.6 Explore the goals and categories of load balancing. Explore parameters for consideration.

File System and Storage
2.7 Understand the need for high performance processing and Big Data
2.8 Explore storage deployment models and differentiate various storage types

CLO3 Discuss the need for security, reliability and legal compliance of a cloud data center.
Database Technologies
3.1 Explore database models
3.2 Implement relational and non-relational database as a service

Cloud Computing Security
3.3 Understand the threats to cloud security
3.5 Explore and develop a cloud security model
3.6 Understand Trusted Cloud Computing

Privacy and Compliance
3.7 Explore key privacy concerns in the cloud
3.8 Differentiate security vs. privacy
3.9 Develop a privacy policy

CLO4 Design strategies for the implementation of effective cloud solutions to support business requirements.

Content Delivery Model
4.1 Understand and explore content delivery network models in the cloud

Portability and Interoperability
4.2 Explore portability and interoperability scenarios
4.3 Understand machine imaging
4.4 Differentiate virtual machine and virtual appliance

Cloud Management
4.5 Understand cloud service life cycle
4.6 Understand asset management in the cloud
4.7 Explore cloud service management
4.8 Develop disaster recovery strategies

SELF PACED / FLIP CLASSROOM
In addition to the above theoretical content the students will learn and practice the cloud concepts in AWS academy. The AWS academy online course covers the following modules.

Module 1 - Global Infrastructure
Module 2 - Structures of the Cloud
Module 3 - AWS Console
Module 4 - Virtual Servers
Module 5 - Content Delivery
Module 6 - Virtual Storage
Module 7 - Security 1
Module 8 - Security 2
Module 9 - Monitoring the Cloud
Module 10: Databases
Module 11 - Load Balancers and Caching
Module 12 - Elastic Beanstalk and Cloud Formation
Module 13 - Emerging Technologies in the Cloud
Module 14 - Billing and Support
Module 15 - Other Cloud Features
Module 16 - Optimizing the Cloud with the AWS CDK

Further information

Course material and assignments in Its Learning and AWS academy.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Personal assignments: 50 points
AWS Academy Course labs: 30 points
Project: 20 points

The assignments must be returned by the deadline to get the points. The assignments returned after the deadline will give you only half of the points.

The grading scale (points -> grade):

50 points -> 1
60 points -> 2
70 points -> 3
80 points -> 4
90 points -> 5

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Fail < 50 points

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

50 points -> 1
60 points -> 2

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

70 points -> 3
80 points -> 4

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

90 points -> 5