Course · AI Lab
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing replaced "buy and run your own servers" the same way the shared power grid replaced every factory generating its own electricity. This overview covers the vocabulary and decisions that shape every real cloud project, before you move into the hands-on modules below.
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Renting capacity instead of owning hardware
Cloud computing means renting computing power, storage, and services over the internet from a provider, instead of buying and maintaining your own physical servers. You use exactly the capacity you need right now and pay only for that, while the provider handles the physical hardware, its maintenance, and its failures.
Think of it like electricity
A hundred years ago, some factories generated their own electricity with an on-site generator. Eventually everyone switched to plugging into a shared power grid instead — cheaper, more reliable, and someone else's job to maintain. Cloud computing did the same thing for computing power.
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Interactive modules for Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing: Foundations
What cloud computing actually is, the service and deployment models, and a hands-on auto-scaling calculation.
6 guided lessons →
Pattern BuilderCloud Computing: Scaling & Operations
Load balancing, containers, serverless, and two hands-on labs: estimating cost and checking an IAM permission.
6 guided lessons →