Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE CIS3111

 
TITLE Cloud Computing

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Computer Information Systems

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will introduce students to the foundations of Cloud Computing. Starting from the historical evolution of Cloud Computing to the current state of the practice. This includes entrusting services with a user's data, software and computation over a network. In this study-unit the three most popular cloud service delivery models will be explored: Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). The business benefits and tools as to whether or not the Cloud is a viable solution to various scenarios will also be covered.

Study-unit Aims:

The aim is to study the three service models of Cloud Computing, with an emphasis on PaaS and SaaS. The fundamental technologies of Cloud Computing (virtualisation, data centres, access API etc) will be studied. Different Cloud Computing providers will be examined and the differences in their implementations revealed. The challenges of deploying hybrid clouds and migrations to the public cloud and the motivation for doing so by both small and large enterprises will be studied.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Explain architecture of the infrastructures underlying the IaaS, PaaS and SaaS delivery models;
- Explain and describe the desired features of the Cloud such as self-service, elasticity, per-usage metering and billing and customization;
- Understand how software developing on or for the Cloud differs from traditional software development;
- Understanding the fundamental technologies of Cloud Computing;
- Explain the ways of cloud infrastructure management;
- Explain the ways of monitoring allocation of resources from the Cloud by the consumer;
- Report the principles of existing and functioning systems of SaaS and PaaS Clouds;
- Identify typical security issues in Cloud Computing and technologies for data security.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Connect and monitor existing cloud services as a Cloud consumer;
- Develop software products utilizing or for the Cloud;
- Ability to assess suitability of Cloud Computing for different scenarios from both a technical and business standpoint;
- Ability to setup an infrastructure in the Cloud for the extension of private or local computing.

Recommended Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Buyya, R. and Vecchiola, S. and Selvi, T. Mastering Cloud Computing. Morgan Kaufman. 2013. ISBN13: 978-0124114548
Hwang, K. and Fox, G. and Dongarra, J. Distributed and Cloud Computing. Morgan Kaufman. 2012. ISBN13: 978-0123858801
Williams, B. The Economics of Cloud Computing. 2012. Cisco Press. ISBN13: 978-1-58714-306-9

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 40%
Artefact SEM2 Yes 60%

 
LECTURER/S Lincoln Grixti
Colin Layfield (Co-ord.)
Joseph Vella
Mark J. Vella

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit