Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing
Unit level 5
Credit value 15
This unit is aligned to the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification. See section 3.1.4 for
guidance on claiming certification.
Introduction
Cloud computing has revolutionised the way IT services are delivered and has
become an important part of the computing sector. Cloud computing is
internet-hosted computing, which means that it uses the internet to deliver data
and other IT services such as storage, printing, server facilities. In other words,
end users and organisations no longer need to have their own extensive network
environment on the premises but can get the same services provided virtually
over the internet.
The fundamental difference between traditional networking and cloud computing
is that the technical details of the system are hidden from the end user. This
means the networking infrastructure does not have to be on the premises as it
would be hosted off-site in the cloud. However, the end user can use the services
without the fear of technical difficulties or disasters as they would be managed
by the cloud service provider. Cloud computing is a natural evolution of
networking and is adapting modern network-oriented technologies such as
virtualisation, service-oriented architecture, utility computing and ubiquitous
computing.
This unit is designed to develop understanding of the fundamental concept of
cloud computing, cloud segments and cloud deployment models and the need
for cloud computing. Students will gain appreciation of issues associated with
managing cloud service architecture and develop a critical awareness of
cloud-computing-based projects. Topics included in the unit are the paradigms
of networking, fundamentals of cloud computing, cloud computing architecture,
deployment models, service models, security, technological drivers and cloud
service providers.
On successful completion of this unit, students will understand the concept,
architecture and services of cloud computing. They will have hands-on experience
of configuring a cloud service from major providers such as ECM, Google,
Amazon, Microsoft and IBM and of implementing a simple cloud platform using
open source software with an appropriate networking platform. As a result,
students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking,
analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment
and developing academic competence.
1
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of cloud computing and
its architectures
LO2 Evaluate the deployment models, service models and technological drivers
of cloud computing and validate their use
LO3 Develop cloud computing solutions using service provider frameworks and
open source tools
LO4 Analyse the technical challenges for cloud applications and assess their risks.
2
Essential Content
Networking paradigm:
LO2 Evaluate the deployment models, service models and technological drivers of
cloud computing and validate their use
Deployment models:
Service models:
3
Technological drivers:
LO3 Develop cloud computing solutions using service provider frameworks and
open source tools
Open source:
Open source tools for IaaS, open source tools for PaaS, open source tools
for SaaS, distributed computing tools, e.g. Cassandra, Hadoop, MongoDB,
NGrid, Ganglia.
4
LO4 Analyse the technical challenges for cloud applications and assess their risks
Security aspects:
Platform-related security:
SaaS Security issues, PaaS Security Issues, IaaS Security Issues, Audit and
Compliance.
Describe CSP security features, e.g. Azure Security Centre, Key Vault, AWS
GuardDuty, Azure Sentinel, Dedicated Hosts, Network Security Groups
(NSG), DDoS protection.
5
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
P2 Design an appropriate
architectural cloud
computing framework
for a given scenario.
6
Pass Merit Distinction
LO3 Develop cloud computing solutions using
service provider frameworks and open source tools