Module Details

Module Code: SOFT8021
Title: Cloud Architectures
Long Title: Cloud Architectures
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4814 - Computer Software
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module gives students the skills and knowledge to understand how a Cloud Architecture is designed, the function of each architectural layer and the services that are delivered from a cloud environment.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss the components of a cloud computing architecture showing how agility in an organisation can be created from it.
LO2 Evaluate the design and deployment of infrastructure services from a cloud architecture.
LO3 Critique the orchestration, monitoring and management of services deployed by a cloud providers architecture to a cloud customer.
LO4 Appraise various development environments within the cloud that are conducive for developing applications.
LO5 Analyse case studies to derive the best practice cloud architecture model to apply when developing and deploying cloud based solutions.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Cloud Fundamentals
Cloud Computing evolution, definition, private, public, community and hybrid cloud. Cloud types and architectures; IaaS, PaaS, SaaS. Benefits and challenges of cloud computing, public v private clouds, role of virtualisation in enabling the cloud. Business agility and impact of cloud computing.
Cloud Infrastructure Services
Software defined data centre (SDDC), Compute as a Service (Virtual & HPC), Network (NaaS) and Storage as a service (STaaS) in a cloud architecture. Provisioning, scaling, performance, redundancy, reslience, security and disaster recovery
Cloud Applications and Web Services
Application service creation environments, platform as a service (PaaS, software as a service (SaaS), Web services (REST/SOAP) cloud based applications. Development environments for service deployment; Amazon, Azure, Google App.
Cloud Orchestration
Orchestrating cloud services by cloud service providers, end to end provisioning, monitoring and controlling, supporting, billing and securing,
Cloud Services Management
Reliability, availability and security of services deployed from the cloud. Performance and scalability of services, tools and technologies used to manage cloud services deployment.
Case Studies
Cloud Achitecture models, Vmware (vCloud), Eucalyptus, Amazon (AWS) and Openstack. The role of the Cloud Architect and Cloud Administrator.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Assessment Description
Cloud architecture labs, involving the designing, installing, configuring and implementation of tasks in the areas of infrastructure, security, software and disaster recovery. Each lab undertaken will be written up and presented in a journal submitted in Week 10.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 70
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Written report and presentation on designing, orchestrating, implementing and managing cloud services in a Private or a Public Cloud Architecture.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theoretical Concepts. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Cloud Architecture Labs. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Student Learning. Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 8.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theoretical Concepts. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Cloud Architecture Labs. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Student Learning. Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 8.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Gautam Shroff. (2010), Enterprise Cloud Computing Technology Architecture Applications, Cambridge University Press, [ISBN: 978-0521137355].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Toby Velte, Anthony Velte, Robert Elsenpeter. (2009), Cloud Computing, A Practical Approach, McGraw-Hill Education, [ISBN: 0071626948].
  • Dimitris N. Chorafas. Cloud Computing Strategies, [ISBN: 1439834539].
  • Michael J. Kavis. (2014), Architecting the Cloud: Design Decisions for Cloud Computing Service Models (SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS), Wiley, [ISBN: 9781118617618].
  • Thomas Erl, Ricardo Puttini, Zaigham Mahmood. (2013), Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture, Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780133387520].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KCLCO_8 Higher Diploma in Science in Cloud Computing 2 Mandatory