What do you do if you're a beginner in Cloud Computing and need essential resources?

Would be more biased towards AWS as have been part of the ecosystem for more than a decade. They have a wonderful step-by-step process to guide you through this journey. The skill builder has a lot of resources that can help. To get you started there are many services that have their free tiers, but as a thumb rule, do terminate your resources when done.

Launching into the cloud requires a thoughtful selection of your provider. Industry leaders like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) boast robust features, but their specialties differ. AWS excels in scalability and flexibility, while Azure integrates seamlessly with Microsoft products. GCP shines in data analytics and machine learning. Don't be afraid to delve into research, including free tiers and trials, to discover the provider that aligns perfectly with your specific needs and objectives.

Selecting a cloud provider involves comparing Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), each with distinct strengths. AWS offers a wide range of services and global reach, making it ideal for diverse business needs. Azure integrates well with Microsoft products, suited for organizations using Microsoft software. GCP specializes in data analytics and machine learning, perfect for data-driven projects. Consider factors like cost, scalability, security, and support. Trying their free tiers provides practical insights, helping to choose the provider that aligns with your goals.

Research and choose a cloud provider that aligns with your learning goals and career aspirations. Popular cloud providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and IBM Cloud. Sign up for a free tier account offered by your chosen cloud provider. Familiarize yourself with fundamental cloud computing concepts, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), software as a service (SaaS), virtualization, scalability, elasticity, and pay-as-you-go pricing models. Enroll in beginner-friendly online courses and tutorials offered by reputable platforms like Coursera, Udemy, edX, and Pluralsight.

The choice of your cloud provider is not only a technical one. You should also considerate restrictions by government and legal constrains. The most big cloud provider offer similar technical services so that you can choose the one that fits best for you and your data based on the whole picture.

Choose a cloud service provider like AWS, Microsoft, or Google. I would recommend to pick one with an active community or high demand in your country. This way, you'll have experts to help you along the way.

Platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and edX provide a wide range of courses on cloud computing basics, platforms (such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud), and specific topics such as DevOps and cloud security. Look for courses that are friendly to novices and offer hands-on exercises and practical experience with cloud computing technologies.

Think of cloud providers like renting an apartment in a giant digital building. They offer various resources like storage, servers, and software you can access over the internet. Popular options include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Each has its strengths and pricing structures, so research to find the best fit for your needs.

Start comparing what Cloud provider offers the things that fit the most with your needs, and it depends on your use case (Learning purposes, deploying test environments, prod environments...). Most of the providers offer free tiers to start and also there are a lot of courses in the web. IBM Cloud, for example, offers the IBM Center for Cloud Training, with a lot of free courses from entry level to advanced architect.

📚 Master Cloud Fundamentals: Understand models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), architectures, security principles, networking concepts, storage options, and computing resources. 🎯 Select Targeted Learning Materials: Focus on up-to-date resources specific to your cloud platform for relevance and efficacy. 📖 Cloud Academy: Comprehensive learning with courses, labs, quizzes across AWS, Azure, GCP—ideal for broad skill development. 💡 A Cloud Guru: Focused on AWS and Azure, offering detailed courses and exam preparation for cloud certifications. 🏅 Google Cloud Training: Tailored to GCP enthusiasts, featuring a mix of free and premium courses, hands-on labs, and certification guides.

Diving into cloud computing as a beginner involves grasping the fundamentals, which serve as the bedrock for all future learning and application. My approach has always been to utilize a mix of resources tailored to the cloud platform of interest. Platforms like Cloud Academy and A Cloud Guru have been invaluable for their structured courses and hands-on labs, particularly for AWS and Azure. Google Cloud Training stands out for those leaning towards GCP, offering a rich library of materials. It's crucial, however, to complement these with current documentation directly from the cloud providers and engage in communities or forums. This blend ensures a well-rounded understanding, keeping pace with the fast-evolving cloud landscape.

Cloud fluency is key! After selecting your provider (AWS, Azure, GCP etc.), dive deep into cloud basics like models, security, and storage. Numerous resources exist: courses, books, and even podcasts! Ensure they're current and specific to your chosen platform. Top picks? Cloud Academy (all-in-one for various providers), A Cloud Guru (AWS & Azure focus), and Google Cloud Training (free & paid options for GCP).

You should start with technical basics like Linux knowledge or network fundamentals. Beside that you should learn basics for container environment. With that basic technical knowledge you can learn thinks like CI/CD and cloud concepts before you start learning specific topics for your cloud provider. Having a general knowledge will help you more than having only specific knowledge for one provider.

Cloud computing boils down to renting computing power over the internet. There are three ways to access it: IaaS rents virtual building blocks, PaaS provides a platform to build on, and SaaS offers ready-made applications. You can choose between public clouds (shared resources), private clouds (your own space), or a hybrid of both. Virtualization makes it all work efficiently.

No matter which cloud provider you choose, the basics remain the same, just with different terms. For example: Microsoft calls it a Virtual Machine (VM), while AWS uses Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instance. But they're essentially the same thing, just with different names. These providers also offer plenty of documentation, tutorials, and training for beginners. Alternatively, you can explore platforms like Udemy, Pluralsight, and more.

The traditional way to learn cloud computing is to study and pass the cloud providers certifications. That is for the theoretical knowledge. At the same time, it is important to practice and get familiar with cloud computing. That is the practical knowledge. The cloud provider provides free credits for you to play with. Also some services are free to use completely.

Explore the official documentation and tutorials of top cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These resources often include step-by-step guides, sample code, and interactive labs to help you get started with cloud computing services and features.

Start learning the basics before entering to more complex things. For example, in my experience, I started with Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) as this Cloud service model conforms the building blocks of the other two cloud service models: Platform as a Service and Software as a Service. Don't try to learn everything at first as you easy can get overwhelmed. Start with the basics of networking, security, storage and compute and after that, keep with the services on top.

Hands-on experience is crucial in cloud computing, and the free tiers offered by cloud providers like GCP are invaluable for beginners. As a Cloud Engineer, I've seen how experimenting in these environments accelerates learning. Resources like Qwiklabs are particularly beneficial as they mirror real-world scenarios, allowing learners to apply theoretical knowledge practically. Engaging with Qwiklabs challenge labs not only tests your skills but also prepares you for the kind of problem-solving required in the industry.

🛠 Practice on Real Platforms: Utilize free tiers/trials for hands-on practice. 🧪 Experiment: Try different scenarios and projects to deepen understanding. 📚 Qwiklabs: Offers detailed guides and access to actual cloud environments for learning. 🎮 Cloud Playground: Create sandbox environments in AWS, Azure, GCP without risk. 🚀 Cloud Guru Challenge: Tackles real-world problems with cloud tools, enhancing practical skills.

You can start by setting up a simple web application on a cloud platform like AWS, Azure, or GCP. For example, you could deploy a basic website using AWS EC2 service. Begin by creating an EC2 instance, configuring it with the necessary security groups and permissions, and then installing a web server like Apache or Nginx. Upload your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to the instance, and configure the webserver to serve them. Associate a domain name with your EC2 instance using Route 53 or another DNS service. This hands-on exercise will familiarize you with essential cloud computing concepts such as virtual machines, networking, security, and DNS management, providing practical experience that complements theoretical learning.

Level up your cloud skills with hands-on practice! Leverage free tiers/trials from your chosen provider (AWS, Azure, GCP etc.) to experiment. Don't go it alone! Resources like Qwiklabs (step-by-step guides in real cloud environments), Cloud Playground (sandbox environments for AWS/Azure/GCP), and Cloud Guru Challenge (real-world problems to solve) offer guidance and project ideas. Get coding and get cloud-savvy!

Use the free tiers on the Cloud providers to get hands on experience. It's very common to implement things following manuals and in the end it fails. That's not a bad thing, you will have the opportunity to troubleshoot and gain experience. You'll find a lot of tools and labs to learn for free in the web. Take a look on the hyperscalers websites and choose the ones that fit to your current knowledge.

Knowledge is nothing without experience. To strengthen your grasp on what you've learned so far, hands-on experience is essential. You can experience multiple scenarios on Online labs, simulations, and cloud providers also offer free access to their services for the initial month.

Make the most of free online resources such as blogs, forums, and YouTube channels focusing on cloud computing. Follow trustworthy sources and experts who regularly share valuable insights, tips, and tutorials. Join online communities and forums such as the AWS Developer Forums, Azure Community Forums, and Reddit's r/cloudcomputing to ask questions, share knowledge, and connect with other newbies and experts in the field.

The best way to solidify your understanding is by diving in. Most cloud providers offer free tiers or trials with credits to experiment with their services. Here are some ideas: Set up a simple website or blog. Create a cloud storage bucket to store your files. Deploy a basic application using a PaaS platform. There are also plenty of online tutorials and courses available to guide you through specific cloud platforms and services.

🌐 Join Online Communities: Connect with fellow learners and experts to ease your learning journey. 📢 Platforms to Explore: Reddit, Stack Overflow, Discord, Slack, LinkedIn. 📚 Specific Recommendations: AWS: AWS Certifications on Reddit for certification tips and discussions. Azure: Azure Community Discord server for insights and professional networking. GCP: Google Cloud Study Jam's Slack group for study materials and peer support. 🛠 Benefits: Gain study tips, exam insights, access resources, and networking opportunities to accelerate your cloud computing mastery.

Cloud learning doesn't have to be lonely! Combat isolation by joining online communities. Reddit, Stack Overflow, Discord, Slack, and LinkedIn are goldmines. Target your interests: AWS? Try r/AWSCertifications. Azure? Join the Discord server. Google Cloud? The Study Jam Slack is for you. Gain study tips, exam reviews, resources, and connections to fellow learners and pros. Conquer cloud computing together!

Here are some ways to connect with others: Cloud provider forums: These platforms let you ask questions, share experiences, and learn from other users. Online communities: Sites like Reddit or Stack Overflow have dedicated cloud computing sections for discussions and troubleshooting. Meetup groups: Look for local meetups focused on cloud computing to network with professionals in your area.

As you begin your Cloud journey, connect with global and regional communities on social platforms and attend seminars to meet experts in the field. Networking is key for professional growth.

Online communities are a great place. However, the reliability of community contribution to your growth shouldn't become a dependency to you. Build connections and, have continuous self-assessment by participating in conversations with end-users or customers from various industry verticals, to look for areas of self-improvement.

🔄 Stay Current: Continuously update your knowledge in cloud computing's dynamic landscape. 🏆 Pursue Certifications: Validate your skills and enhance credibility. 📰 Cloud Computing News: Weekly newsletter with key updates and insights. 🎧 Cloud Skills Podcast: Interviews with cloud experts for real-world advice. 🌐 Cloud Certifications Website: Guide to finding and comparing cloud certifications tailored to your career and skill level.

Join a vibrant community of learners 🚀 and experts. Get started today! The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is Now. Explore a variety of cloud-related projects covering topics such as cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), cloud services, serverless computing, containerization, and more. Access tutorials, guides, and resources to help you understand cloud concepts, set up cloud environments, and deploy cloud-based applications. Taking the first steps as you start building on the cloud can seem overwhelming. Project based learning is the best way to get started

In modern technology, staying updated with new innovations and adapting to change is crucial for upskilling yourself. Secondly, learning about other cloud providers and their services can help you understand the differences and compatibility between multi-cloud environments.

On the AWS side of things, getting started on this journey with Cloud Practitioner would be the first step. Multiple resources are available to help prepare. Post this you may choose to go in for the Solution Architect Associate certification. Depending on your experience level and exposure to the cloud, the time to prepare can vary from 3 months to 8-9 months.

Keep learning always as this is a permanent changing landscape. Join communities, LinkedIn groups and participate actively in forums to grow tour network and share experiences. Ask for someone to be your mentor and to teach you not only where to begin but how to continue.

Cloud computing is constantly evolving with new technologies and services emerging. Dedicate some time to stay updated. Here are some resources: Cloud provider documentation: Each provider offers comprehensive documentation for their services. Blogs and articles: Follow industry blogs and publications to stay informed about the latest trends and innovations. Cloud certifications: Earning certifications demonstrates your expertise and can open doors to new career opportunities.

Initiate your cloud odyssey with beginner-friendly courses on Coursera, Cloud Academy, or A Cloud Guru. Master fundamentals like virtualization and security. Validate your skills with certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect. Solidify your knowledge with personal projects and immerse yourself in cloud communities to stay updated and network. This paves the way for a strong cloud computing foundation.

Embark on your Cloud Computing journey by exploring online courses offered by platforms like Coursera, Cloud Academy, and A Cloud Guru. These platforms provide beginner-friendly courses covering essential topics such as virtualization, networking, and security. Consider obtaining certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Azure Administrator Associate to validate your skills. Apply your knowledge through personal projects, creating practical solutions that reinforce your understanding. Additionally, engage with communities of cloud professionals to stay updated on industry developments and network with like-minded individuals. These steps will enable you to build a robust foundation for expertise in cloud computing.

The other critical thing to consider is that everybody that answers these questions is either: 1. Bored 2. Being silly 3. Trying to get a "badge" from LinkedIn So honestly you should probably not listen to any of this advice.

Here's What Else to Consider: Security: Cloud security is a critical aspect. Understand your provider's security practices and how to secure your data in the cloud. Cost Management: Cloud services are generally pay-as-you-go. Learn about pricing models and billing structures to optimize your cloud spending. Compliance: If your industry has specific data regulations, ensure your chosen cloud provider meets those compliance standards.

The best place to start is read each line of detailed documentation of the Cloud Provider (of your choice, if you have a preference). And, then try playing around with services within the free-tier limits, to understand how things work in reality while documentation can be a prescriptive guidance. And, the ultimate key is, have a mentor, who is a seasoned guy that has done great work. He/she may not be necessarily holding an active certification, yet his experience and expertise will certainly help you grow from a beginner to the next hop. And, be ready to take up the role of mentor when your heart knows you're ready to help others. Find areas of specialization and attain those.

Get a well defined career path and goals and focus on looking for ressources that can make you achieve achieve them, it can be from online forums, communities, or training and certifications platforms

Network with professionals working in cloud computing and seek mentorship from experienced practitioners. Contact professionals on platforms such as LinkedIn, attend networking events, and join mentorship programs offered by professional organizations and communities.