Top Free Courses in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the trend in technology today, with scalable resources and services over the internet. Whether you are an IT professional looking to upskill or a beginner wondering how to break into the field, free courses can provide a solid foundation. Here is a round-up of top free courses in cloud computing that will help you understand the basics and advance your career.

1. AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials

Overview

One of the biggest cloud service providers is Amazon Web Services AWS, and its Cloud Practitioner Essentials course is perfect for any level of beginner. This free course will give an overview of the services offered within AWS, along with the basics of cloud computing. 

Features

Duration: Approximately 6 hours

Content: Introduction to AWS cloud concepts, security, architecture, pricing, and support

Format: Self-paced online videos with quizzes

Certification: Prepares for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam; the exam is not free

Benefits

This course is ideal for those who would like to understand AWS and its central services. It is designed for those in technical roles and non-technical roles.

2. Google Cloud Platform Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure

Overview

Offered by Google Cloud, this course is aimed at making you familiar with Google Cloud Platform GCP products and services. It covers the basics of cloud infrastructure, including Networking, Storage, and Compute Services.

Features

Duration: Approximately 8 hours

Contents: Global overview of GCP, comprising details on Google Compute Engine, Google App Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, and much more.

Format: Online Self-Paced, Video, with hands-on labs Certification Not Applicable but foundational knowledge for many.

Benefits

Suitable for all IT professionals, and developers, who intend to gain knowledge about the core infrastructure of GCPs with hands-on experience in the labs.

 3. Introduction to Cloud Computing by IBM

Overview

This course gives an exhaustive introduction to the concepts and services of cloud computing. The course points to some of the cloud models, cloud architecture, and cloud security.

Features

Length: About 4 hours

Content: Fundamentals on cloud computing; Service models: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS; Deployment models: public, private, hybrid; and Security

Format: Self-paced online videos and quizzes

Certification: Digital badge upon completion

Benefits

This course is aimed at beginners to provide a real understanding of cloud computing basics that will let them dive into more specialized topics later.

4. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

Course Synopsis

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals course available on edX gets you started working with Azure services and solutions. It is targeted toward those who are new to cloud computing and Microsoft Azure.

Features

Duration: Approximately 4 weeks, 24 hours per week.

Content: Azure core services, security, privacy, compliance, and trust.

Format: Self-paced online videos, quizzes, and hands-on labs Certification.

Benefits

This class is perfect for anyone who wants to gain a basic understanding of Microsoft Azure and its offerings. The hands-on lab further helps in absorbing the learning by doing.

5. Cloud Computing Specialization by University of Illinois Coursera

Overview

This specialization includes several courses covering cloud computing basics, cloud applications, cloud networking, and security. It is offered by the University of Illinois, and hosted on Coursera.

Features

Duration: Approximately 3 months, 4 hours a week

Content: Cloud computing concepts, applications, network services, cloud security, and practical projects

Format: Self-paced online videos, readings, quizzes, and projects

Certified: Certificate on completion Requires a Coursera subscription for the certificate but course content is free.

Benefits

This specialization is pretty comprehensive and ideal for any person who wants to get an in-depth knowledge of cloud computing. The practical projects are useful in giving good hands-on experience.

6. Cloud Computing Basics Cloud 101 by Coursera Project Network

Overview

This is a beginner-level course in cloud computing, intended to introduce concepts of cloud computing. This can be considered a good starting point for beginners.

Features

Duration: Approximately 1 hour

Content:  Basics of cloud computing, cloud models, cloud providers

Format: Guided project with step-by-step instructions

Certification: No certification

Benefits

This course will help any person who wants a concise, no-frills introduction to cloud computing. It provides wide and solid coverage in minimum time.

7. Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies by The Linux Foundation

Overview

The edX course introduces one to the core technologies for cloud computing. It includes all the basics of cloud infrastructure and central concepts related to it.

Features

Duration: Approximately 14 weeks, 45 hours per week

Content: Cloud infrastructure virtualization containers networking and storage

Format: Self-paced online videos readings quizzes

Certification: Certificate upon completion, requires edX subscription 

Benefits

The course will be beneficial for any person who wants to understand the technical details of cloud infrastructure. This course gives a thorough overview of technologies underpinning cloud services.