Cloud Architecture (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

Flipped learning: Modules 1–3 to be studied independently before the first lecture.

Week 1 – Modules 4–5
Week 2 – Module 6
Week 3 – Module 7
Week 4 – Modules 8–9
Week 5 – Modules 9–10
Week 6 – Modules 10–11
Week 7 – Modules 12–13
Week 8 – Module 14: Building Serverless Architectures and Microservices
– In class: guided lab
– Homework: Challenge (Café) Lab – Implementing a Serverless Architecture for the Café
Week 9 – Module 15
Week 10 – Module 16

Objective

Purpose of the course

Cloud service environments offer the opportunity to build elastic and high-availability architectures for digital services. During this course, you will learn how to create a high-availability virtual data center in cloud services, including its subnets and resources. You will understand the benefits of describing infrastructure with code from the perspective of operating, replicating, and maintaining cloud environments.

Course competencies

- Application development: Knows the technologies used in application development and recognizes the significance of different technologies and their relationships.
- Information System: Is familiar with typical information systems and services and understands the importance of security in utilizing services.
- ICT Specialization: Is able to apply their knowledge and skills in a specific area of ICT, as well as analyze, evaluate, and develop operations in this area.
- Operating in a workplace: Utilises the opportunities offered by technology and digitalisation in their work.

Learning objectives of the course

After completing the course, you will understand how the virtual infrastructure of cloud services works and how services can be described as code, as well as what advantages infrastructure as code (IaC) offers in DevOps operations. You will apply the principles of high availability and elasticity in cloud architectures.

Content

The course consists of the following topics: cloud Architecting, Storage Layers, Compute Layers, Database Layers, Networking Environment and Connecting Networks, Securing User and Application Access, Implementing Elasticity, High Availability, and Monitoring, Automating Your Architecture, Caching Content, Building Decoupled Architectures, Building Microservices and Serverless Architectures, Planning for Disaster and infrastructure as code.

Location and time

Main campus, Rajakatu 35, weeks 3-13, 10 x 3,5 hour lectures.

Materials

Course material written by the teacher as well as selected online resources. AWS Academy materials.

Teaching methods

Guided lessons and lectures in the classroom. Guided learning tasks with automatic feedback and classroom activities, along with challenge tasks and a final project as homework. Knowledge tests are conducted at the end of each module based on the theory. Each lecture includes a lab session related to the lecture topic. Students independently work on “Challenge Lab” assignments for each module as homework. The results of the Challenge Labs are reviewed at the beginning of each lecture.

Employer connections

In the study guide, this field is referred to as ‘Working life connections’. Various kinds of introductions to working life, alumni cooperation, visiting lecturers, etc. can be described here

Exam schedules

Final quiz at exam-studio

International connections

Part of the teaching material is based on international collaboration with AWS Academy. Source material is in english.

Completion alternatives

You have the right to apply for recognition of your studies if you have prior learning (e.g. university studies completed elsewhere) that can be accredited towards the degree you are currently completing.

The recognition of prior learning is possible in three primary ways: accreditation (replacement or inclusion), recognition of informal learning and studification. More precise info: JAMK Degree Regulations, section 17.

Student workload

The total workload of the course is 135 hours (5 ECTS credits).
Lectures: 35 hours (10 sessions × 3.5 hours)
Familiarization with materials and software, independent study: 60 hours
Exercises and assignments: 40 hours
Total: 135 hours

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1
You have basic knowledge in the area of AI & Machine learning services in the cloud. You know the components and terms of data preprocessing cloud services and what they mean. You implement your final assignment manually through the browser.

Satisfactory 2
You have knowledge in the area of ICT-infrastructure in the cloud. You know the components terms of cloud ICT-infrastructure services and what they mean.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3
You understand the concepts of of ICT-infrastructure services in the cloud and can apply the gained knowledge in a real-life ICT-infrastructure cloud based needs.

Very good 4
You understand the concepts of ICT-infrastructure services in the cloud and can apply the gained knowledge in a real-life ICT-infrastructure learning scenarios and needs. You have expanded your knowledge independently during the course.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
In addition to previous requirements you can analytically discuss about the concepts in ICT-infrastructure services in the cloud and present and defend (based on knowledge and evidence) your opinions. You can question the presented information and give valid options. You can implement the final assignment using CloudFormation or Cloud Deployment Kit services.

Qualifications

Basic understanding of ICT infrastructure.
Basic understanding of cloud services.
You can operate and use command-line-based tools.
Basic understanding of scripting and programming.

Further information

To complete the studies it is recommended to understand the basics of cloud services from: Amazon Web Services (recommended) or Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud Platform and from the concepts of the elasticity, scalability an high availability of cloud services.

Final grade will be assessed how the student has progressed with the studies, staying on schedule, following instructions etc.

Grading:
- Exam 40% of the grade
- Final assignment 40% of the grade
- "Guided lab" and "Challenge Lab" labs and "Knowledge Check" assignments 20% of the grade.