How to Get Started with Cloud Computing: A Beginner’s Guide
Essential Cloud Platforms to Learn
How to Begin Your Cloud Journey
Recommended Courses for MIT AOE Students
Introduction
Cloud computing delivers resources and services, such as storage, databases, networking, and software, over the Internet. The advantage is that we no longer need to rely on physical systems or local devices to store our data or operate new systems.
Cloud computing in education is playing an important role as it is redefining how students learn and institutions operate. Due to its accessibility and flexibility, students can learn at anytime and anywhere. It's efficient, it has enhanced security, and the backup benefits of cloud computing can be seen in simple tasks to high-end research institutions
Types of Cloud Environments
Public Cloud: cloud services are delivered over the public internet, where resources (service or storage, etc) are owned by a third-party provider and it is shared with multiple organisations. It has high scalability, requires low maintenance and is cost-effective [pay-as-you-go]. AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud are some examples
Use case, e.g., in gaming, users can stream their game on multiple devices at the same time without requiring expensive hardware.
Private Cloud: exclusively dedicated to a single organisation or a company, either hosted or executed by a third party.
Use case, e.g.- A company like Reliance Jio uses a private cloud at its core for handling telecom data and critical workload.
Hybrid Cloud: A combination of public and private cloud environments, allowing data and applications to move between them.
Use case, e.g., an educational institution might use a cloud learning platform to manage internal records and a public cloud to run collaborative student projects.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
Let’s see some major advantages of cloud computing in education
Cost-effectiveness: From large universities to small-scale schools, everyone is able to avoid large-scale expenditure on hardware, data-storages or software systems.
Scalability and flexibility: it's elastic! To meet the constantly fluctuating demands in the education sector, cloud computing can easily increase or decrease its scale, depending on the demand.
Disaster recovery and remote access: from monitoring threats to providing end-to-end encryption, these advanced security measures protect our data and its privacy.
Collaboration and productivity: Through its connectivity across the globe, cloud computing in education provides uninterrupted communication through videos and project sharing and enhances teamwork.
Essential Cloud Platforms to Learn
Amazon Web Services (AWS): It offers a wide range of tools and services in education and offers certifications to beginners who want to learn AWS.
Microsoft Azure: It is considered ideal for educational collaboration it provides Microsoft Teams and more than 200 tools and services to its users.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP): it is used to manage data, run applications and store data. It also enhances AI and ML capabilities.
IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud (brief mention): It provides similar features to other cloud platforms. It is gaining traction in Hybrid enterprises and ERP-heavy enterprises.
How to Begin Your Cloud Journey
For starting a cloud Journey, building a foundation is a first as well as an essential step. You can start with learning basic networking, programming, and operating systems.
1) BASIC NETWORKING:
In terms of basic networking, understanding fundamentals like TCP/IP, DNS is essential.
2) Programming:
You must be familiar with at least one programming language, for example, Python, Java, for scripting and interaction with cloud services.
3) Operating systems: -
for efficient management of virtual machines and servers in the cloud, you should know about operating systems like Windows, Linux.
Certifications:
For having a strong introduction to cloud concepts as well as services, you can consider Certifications like AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, and Google Cloud Digital Leader.
Experience:
For budget-friendly experiments, you can sign up for free tiers on major cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. You can experiment with various services for free.
Actively take part in guided labs and projects that will provide you with real and practical knowledge. Many online platforms and courses provide such kind of project.
You can always make a room for yourself by creating a project for yourself. It will enhance your knowledge and build your portfolio too.
Recommended Courses for MIT AOE Students
MIT AOE offers a variety of courses in cloud computing, data science, and distributed systems. You can explore these courses and find the right fit for you. Explore the Course Catalogue of MITAOE.
Also, online platforms such as Coursera, edX, Data camp which will offer you specialised courses in cloud computing.
Learning and communication
Communication with a faculty member in your department, communication with social media groups, and attending meetups with people who have experience in cloud gives you direction and confidence.
And last but not least, update yourself daily. Enhance your skills and learn every day to cope with the cloud world.
Career Opportunities in Cloud Computing
Cloud Engineer: A cloud engineer develops, implementable designs and maintains cloud infrastructure.
Solutions Architect: oversees and addresses technical solutions regarding development for business or academic use.
DevOps Specialist: By using cloud tools, DevOps specialists fill the gap between development and operations.
Cloud Security Analyst: is a person who has expertise in cybersecurity and protects the data, applications, etc. of the cloud-based systems.
Conclusion
The world is shifting to a technological era, an era which is globally connected the value of cloud computing in education cannot be overlooked. The benefits of cloud computing in education are reshaping the educational structure for the coming generations.
At MIT AOE, students get equipped and have access to the best cloud learning platforms. We provide hands-on experience and provide you with the best mentorship.
Start your journey today!
OUR RECENT BLOG


