Cloud Computing Books for Beginners & Experienced Professionals

An Overview of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the process of delivering computing services that include storage, database, servers, software, networking solutions, intelligence, and analytics via the internet(or 'cloud' if you may say). It also includes network-based access to communication tools such as emails or calendars. Be it Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Gmail, all of these are part of Cloud Computing services.

Cloud computing allows businesses to offer nearly uninterrupted services by minimizing downtime and loss of productivity and ensuring automation. As we are into the 21st century, cloud computing is one of the most crucial skills businesses have to bank on.

If you are willing to enroll in some of the best cloud computing courses in near future and want to gain a complete overview on the same, this article is for you. Here, you will learn about the 10 best books on cloud computing for beginners and professionals. Check out the comprehensive list to start your journey in cloud computing.

Top 5 Cloud Computing Books for Beginners

1. Explain the Cloud Like I'm 10

Written by: Todd Hoff

If you are just setting your foot into the timeless journey of cloud computing, then this is your go-to book. From explaining how the internet works to what happens when you press the play button on Netflix, the book gives you a complete overview of basic cloud computing.

As you find references from our daily cloud computing needs, understanding the concept becomes much more interesting. With lots of pictures and diagrams, 'Explain the Cloud Like I'm 10' is one of the best cloud computing books for beginners.

Topics you'll learn:

• How does the internetwork?
• The good & bad of cloud computing.
• How has cloud computing impacted a change in the software development cycle?
• The concept of Virtual Machines, Serverless, Container, Cloud Computing as PaaS, SaaS.
• How do Facebook Messenger and Google Maps excel as cloud apps?

2. Cloud Computing For Dummies

Written by: Judith S. Hurwitz, Fern Halper, Robin Bloor, Marcia Kaufman

This book mainly talks about the real-world applications of Cloud Computing. This is a great startup guide for those who are trying to learn the basics of cloud computing to implement a change in their business.

Written in simple English, Cloud Computing for Dummies can help you understand the difference between cloud and traditional software or hardware-based software.

Topics you'll learn:

• How to create a detailed plan to implement cloud computing in existing business operations?
• What basic questions do you need to ask the vendor while opting for a cloud computing service?
• All the nitty-gritty of cloud management and how governance is defined in the cloud.
• Common risks and rewards of cloud computing.
• Analyzing how cloud computing brings a cost-effective solution by reducing power, property, and labor expenses.

3. The Cloud Computing Book

Written by: Douglas E. Comer

This is one of its kinds of cloud computing textbooks that concentrate more on the concepts and principles of the cloud rather than talking about commercial cloud vendor offerings. You can read this book if you are trying to make a career shift and just starting your journey with cloud computing.

The Cloud Computing book explains how real and virtual data center facilities work. Also, the books may help you to conceptualize different storage mechanisms, networks, Virtual machines, hypervisors, etc.

Topics you'll learn:

• How did cloud computing start its journey? The concept of power wall and multi-cores.
• What is the concept behind Elastic Computing, and what are the basic business models that the cloud providers follow?
• Different types of Cloud and Cloud providers. The concept of Private, Public, and Hybrid cloud.
• The infrastructure and equipment of modern-day data centers.
• How do Virtual Machines work?

4. AWS: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Written by: Stephen Baron

If you particularly want to understand Amazon Web Services as one of the major cloud computing service providers globally, this is the perfect guide. The book explains all the basic details of Cloud Computing and answers what makes AWS one of the best cloud computing solution providers.

This book is best for those who want to jump-start their career with AWS or want to use it as a cloud computing service provider for their businesses. It explains how to store data using AWS, the use of Amazon Glacier & Amazon S3.

Topics you'll learn:

• What is cloud computing and why businesses are choosing AWS as their cloud computing solution?
• How to use VPN to secure your business data and resources?
• Process of storing data using AWS
• How to utilize software and hardware resources as per your requirement using Amazon EC2?
• Where can you use AWS?

5. Cloud Computing: From Beginning to End

The 'Cloud Computing: From Beginning to End' is a good read for those who are trying to understand different models and architecture of cloud computing. Written in plain English, the book excels in explaining all the nitty-gritty of cloud even to the first-time learner.

As you go through the book, you can easily understand how cloud computing provides an unmatched solution to modern-day business requirements. The book also talks about how opting for the right cloud computing service to manage your business can significantly reduce operating costs.

Topics you'll learn:

• How did Cloud computing get its name?
• Different types of Cloud Computing: IaaS, SaaS, PaaS.
• The Frontend and Backend of cloud computing architecture.
• Major advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing
• How can IT managers, engineers, program managers in government, CIOs, and DoDs deploy cloud computing in their systems?

Top 5 Cloud Computing Books for Experienced Professionals

1. Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture

Written by: Thomas Erl, Ricardo Puttini, Zaigham Mahmood

Cloud computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture breaks down already effective cloud computing tech practices within a series of concepts that are easy to grasp. This cloud computing Bible offers a vendor-neutral view of cloud computing architecture and mechanisms.

If you are trying to make a smooth transition to cloud computing technologies to manage your business operations, this is one of the best cloud computing books to read. As you go through it, you will find numerous case studies that will help you to make the right decision. Alongside this, you can explore several leading PaaS, IaaS, and SaaS delivery models.

Topics you'll learn:

• What are the origins and influences of cloud computing?
• Case studies on the environment and technical infrastructure of cloud computing.
• Business strategy, goals, roadmap to implementation of cloud computing architecture.
• What are the common roles and boundaries of cloud service providers?
• Comparison between common cloud computing delivery models.

2. Cloud Computing: A Hands-On Approach

Written by: Arshdeep Bahga, and Vijay Madisetti

Cloud Computing: A Hands-on Approach is a cloud computing textbook for college grads. As one of the top-selling cloud computing books, it will help you decode the higher level of working methodologies in cloud computing. If you are working as a cloud manager or running a business related to cloud services, this book will help you with deep knowledge.

After going through the book, you can create your own training programs for your employees and consumers. However, to understand the concepts offered in this book, one has to have prior knowledge of cloud computing.

Topics you'll learn:

• Crucial guidance and knowledge to develop working code for cloud applications
• Comprehensive knowledge of load balancing, virtualization, deployment, elasticity, scalability, and replication.
• Real-life design and programming aspects of cloud computing.
• Several applications of cloud computing; includes cloud security, cloud application benchmarking, big data analysis, and multimedia applications.
• Case studies on the use of cloud computing in areas such as healthcare, IT, transportation, education, and networking.

3. Architecting the Cloud: Design Decisions for Cloud Computing Service Models

Written by: Michael J. Kavis

'Architecting the Cloud' will help you with all the essential design considerations in the areas of data privacy, security, logging, SLA monitoring, and data storage. The best thing about this book is that it will offer you a vendor-neutral perspective of several market-leading vendors. Therefore, it will be much easier for you to select the best service as per your business needs.

This book majorly focuses on the deployment of cloud computing and works as a handbook that you can use for quick reference. Thus, if you need in-depth knowledge of cloud computing, then this won't be enough for you.

Topics you'll learn:

• Key cloud design considerations for businesses shifting to a cloud architecture.
• Detailed pros and cons of cloud service models.
• Why is taking a pragmatic approach toward cloud architecture is essential?
• How to audit and choose the right cloud service model?
• What are cloud computing architecture's data considerations, security designs, and disaster recovery planning, models?

4. Cloud Computing: Theory and Practice

Written by: Dan Marinescu

Starting from Peer-to-Peer systems and ethical issues to cloud computing applications and cloud resource virtualization, this book offers in-depth knowledge of cloud computing. Thus, if you are looking to master cloud computing from scratch, then Cloud Computing: Theory and Practices can be your best companion.

This cloud computing textbook blends all the complex mathematical rigor along with the best real-life cloud computing practices from various cloud vendors. With both practical and theoretical approaches discussed, this cloud computing book is one of a few of its kind and is a must-have for cloud enthusiasts.

Topics you'll learn:

• Concepts of parallel and distributed systems.
• How do an open-source software platform and private cloud work?
• Energy usage and ecological impact of large-scale data centers.
• Key concepts behind cloud resource virtualization, including case studies.
• How to manage and schedule cloud resources?

5. Cloud Computing: A Practical Approach

Written by: Toby Velte, Anthony Velte, Robert Elsenpeter

It's a startup guide for those who are already into IT services and have the basic knowledge. The book offers a broad perspective on best practices, migration, and emerging standards of cloud computing services available these days. As you go through the book, you can easily understand what operational benefits cloud computing brings and how it's one of the most cost savings options for businesses.

You will find this guide extremely beneficial if you are part of an organization that is trying to shift to a cutting-edge cloud solution from the traditional network infrastructure.

Topics you'll learn:

• What are the security issues, costs, regulatory concerns, benefits, and limitations of shifting to cloud architecture?
• Case studies and vendor-neutral point views of cloud computing service providers such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Yahoo, Salesforce.com, etc.
• Concept of several Cloud networking standards such as HTML, HTTP, SSL, DHTML, OpenID, and XMPP.
• Guided details on custom app development frameworks, environment, & strategies. cloud computing books
• How do web services like REST, JSON, and SOAP work?

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Conclusion

Now that you have the list, you can check out any of these cloud architect books to start learning cloud computing from scratch and move ahead on the cloud computing learning path. If you are just a beginner in the domain of cloud computing, then Knowledgehut best cloud computing courses can help you with the proper knowledge to master your skill.

However, if you still have any confusion about cloud computing, check out the frequently asked questions that we have answered here. Also, to quench further queries, don't forget to put them in the comment section.