Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Cloud Computing
Code CKIT523
Coordinator Prof FP Coenen
Computer Science
Coenen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 M Level Whole Session 15

Aims

1. To provide studnets with the opportunity to investigate cloud architectures and foundations so that then obtain a comprehensive understanding of the process of building cloud based infrastructure services and applications.

2. To provide a comprehensive and systematic understanding of cloud architecture models.

3. A critical and wide ranging understanding of cloud industry standardisation, middleware platforms and cloud provider platforms.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) A comprehensive ability to explain key concepts and major application areas in the context of cloud computing.

(LO2) An ability to analyse and critically compare cloud computing solutions.

(LO3) A deep adn systematic understanding of teh mechanisms that can be used to realise cloud computing solutions to IT problems

(S1) Skills in using technology - Online communications skills

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation

(S4) Working in groups and teams - Group action planning


Syllabus

 

Week 1: Cloud Computing Foundation
Cloud Computing definition, reference architecture, general use cases analysis, cloud scaling. Cloud properties, cloud benefits and cloud challenges.Cloud stakeholders and roles.

Week 2: Cloud Architectures and Cloud Platforms
Cloud computing enabling technologies; Virtualisation platforms; Cloud related standards; Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud (TOSCA); Open Cloud Computing Interface (OCCI); Lower layer standards - OVF by DMTF, CDMI by SNIA

Week 3: Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS architectures and models; cloud management functions and API; security groups, virtual machine images. Storage file system types: persistent object storage and block storage; storage virtualisation. Cus tom and large scale deployment, deployment management tools Chef, Puppet. Re-factoring applications for clouds and cloud aware design; example IaaS service design.

Week 4: Cloud Platform as a Service ( PaaS)
PaaS architecture components: code containers, queues, data structures, databases, load balancers. PaaS services composition and management: Azure Service Bus; VMware Cloud Foundry service manager. Example Cloud PaaS services design using Microsoft Azure: service patterns and custom service composition; service deployment, service monitoring and adaptive load balancing and elasticity.

Week 5: Cloud Software as a Service (SaaS) and application clouds
Overview SaaS and application clouds: components, services and usage models. Overview and analysis of GoogleApps and Office365. Example usage.

Week 6: Cloud Security, Data protection and Privacy, Access Control and Identity Management  
Cloud security and privacy challenges; existing architectures, solutions and methods; access control and security policies, Identity Management in clouds. Secure platforms and secure virtualised environment. Overview security models by major cloud providers Amazon AWS an d Microsoft Azure.

Week 7: Cloud construction, cloud interoperability, migration enterprise infrastructure to clouds
This seminar will discuss enterprise related use cases of migrating enterprise IT infrastructure and services to cloud; Evaluating enterprise IT infrastructure maturity level; planning migration procedure; developing new operational patterns and responsibilities; Example cloud aware services with Amazon AWS;  Cloud Management Software overview: OpenStack, OpenNebula, VMware,, vCloud and Cloud Foundry, covering functionality, components, tools, configuration examples, design patterns.

Week 8: Cloud infrastructure management, system/service compliance and assurance
IT management issues for clouds, cloud economics, cloud compliance, existing standards and industry practices, cloud dependability; Example PCI DSS compliance for clouds.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Virtual classroom hours (for online modules) Description: Teaching Method 2 - Non-classroom hours (for online modules) Description:


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           70

80

150
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 0
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Eight discussion questions Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Whole session  Weekly Discussion Qu    50       
Migrating legacy computing structure to the cloud Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :week 3  2 weeks / 750-1000 w         
Practical – Develop and Host application on Cloud Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :week 5  2 weeks         

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.