Introduction to Cloud Computing

This book aims to serve as an introductory textbook on cloud computing. The target audience are readers with some technical background or interest who are also interested in the business aspects of cloud computing. Examples are usually based on the Google Cloud Platform, but the principles covered in the book are equally relevant to users of other cloud platforms.

Even though cloud computing in its modern form arguably only started in 2006, when Amazon began to offer public cloud computing resources, it has almost become a default choice for organizations to operate their IT resources. Its wide adoption means that most IT professionals will work with cloud computing in various roles throughout their careers, making a basic understanding of the technology and its effective use an important part of their education.

Rather than focusing on a specific area of cloud computing, this book provides a broad overview of the topic, ranging from technical foundations to cloud architecture, cloud security, multi-cloud systems and the cloud-to-edge continuum. Various features such as review questions and hands-on exercise help readers understand the material covered in depth.