CIS 111 - Cloud Computing Fundamentals

Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to cloud computing with a focus on preparing students for the CompTIA Cloud+ certification. Students will gain a deep understanding of cloud architecture, deployment, operations, and security. The course covers essential cloud concepts and technologies, including virtualization, infrastructure, resource management, and disaster recovery.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Understand the fundamental concepts and principles of cloud computing.
Design and implement cloud solutions using best practices.
Manage and optimize cloud environments for performance and cost-efficiency.
Apply security measures to protect cloud infrastructure and data.
Prepare for and pass the CompTIA Cloud+ certification exam.

Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing

Section 1-1: Characteristics of Cloud Computing
- What Is Cloud Computing?
- CompTIA Cloud+ Certification
- Other Cloud Certifications
- What Do I Need to Know?
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 2: Cloud Deployment Models

Section 1-2: Cloud Deployment Models
- Public Cloud
- Private Cloud
- Hybrid Cloud
- Multi-Cloud
- Community Cloud
- Cloud within a Cloud
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 3: Cloud Service Models

Section 1-3: Cloud Service Models
- Common Cloud Service Models
- Service Model Security Concerns
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 4: Cloud Service Providers

Section 1-4: Cloud Service Providers
- PaaS and IaaS Providers
- Common Cloud Services
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 5: Troubleshooting Methodology

Section 1-5: Troubleshooting Methodology
- Common Cloud Computing Problems
- Troubleshooting Steps
- Preventive Measures
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 6: Virtual Hardware

Section 2-1: Virtualization Technologies
- Virtual Machines (VMs)
- Hypervisors
- Network Connection Types
- VM Configuration
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 7: Virtualized Processing and Memory

Section 2-2: Virtualized Processing and Memory
- CPU Management
- Memory Management
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 8: VMs in the Cloud and Alternatives

Section 2-3: VMs in the Cloud
- VM Instance Types
- Instance Templates
- Affinity
- Allocation Factors
- Hands-On Project
Section 2-4: VM Alternatives
- Serverless Computing
- Containers
- Supporting Containers
- Troubleshoot Applications in Containers
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 9: Migration to the Cloud

Section 3-1: Migration Planning
- Cloud Migration Phases
- Transition Assessment
- Migration Plan
- Migration Strategies
- Timing
- Hands-On Project
Section 3-2: Migration Execution
- Change Management
- Deployment Automation
- Data Transfer
- VM Migrations
- Storage Migration
- Cloud-to-Cloud Migrations
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 10: Deployment Testing and Validation

Section 3-3: Deployment Testing and Validation
- Testing Types
- Testing Considerations
- Test Analysis
- Common Deployment Issues
- Hands-On Project
Section 3-4: Cloud Agility
- Project Management
- Application Life Cycle
- Builds
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 11: Cloud Networking

Section 4-1: Networking Concepts in the Cloud
- Networking Concepts
- From OSI Model to Cloud Stack
- Software-Defined Networking in the Cloud
- Hands-On Project
Section 4-2: IP Address Spaces
- IP Addressing
- Subnetting
- Cloud Network Interfaces
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 12: Networking in Major Cloud Providers

Section 4-3: Networking in AWS
- Regions in AWS
- Availability Zones in AWS
- VPCs in AWS
- Subnets in AWS
- Gateways and Route Tables in AWS
- Hands-On Project
Section 4-4: Networking in Azure
- Regions and Availability Zones in Azure
- VNets and Subnets in Azure
- Route Tables in Azure
- Hands-On Project
Section 4-5: Networking in GCP
- Regions and Zones in GCP
- VPCs and Subnets in GCP
- Routes in GCP
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 13: Cloud Connectivity and Troubleshooting

Section 5-1: Hybrid Cloud and Multi-Cloud Networking
- Connecting Networks
- Virtual LAN (VLAN)
- Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN)
- Generic Network Virtualization Encapsulation (GENEVE)
- Hands-On Project
Section 5-2: Extending Network Services
- DHCP Services
- DNS Services
- Routing
- Load Balancing
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions

Week 14: Troubleshooting Cloud Connectivity and Review

Section 5-3: Troubleshooting Cloud Connectivity
- Common Troubleshooting Commands
- Common Connectivity Problems
- Hands-On Project
Module Summary, Key Terms, Acronyms Checklist, Review Questions, Scenario-Based Questions
Course Review and Q&A

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 35-45%

Lab work: 35-45%

Facilitated discussion/group work: 10-30%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: AP
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: NA

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
Quizzes / Tests

Labs / Homework Assignments

Final Exam

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 105328
Course CIP Code: 19.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 26
School: School STEM
Department: Computer Information Systems
Discipline: CIS
First Term Valid: Fall 2025 (8/1/2025)
1st Catalog Year: 2025-2026
Name of Course Author:
Frank Jasper-Stump

Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
A master’s degree in CS/CIS or IT-related field

Course Review & Revision Year: 2029-2030