Google Cloud Learning Path for 2024

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a wide range of cloud computing services. Here’s a structured learning path to master Google Cloud in 2024:

1. Introduction to Cloud Computing

• Understanding Cloud Computing:
  • Basics of cloud computing.
  • Types of cloud services: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
  • Cloud deployment models: Public, Private, Hybrid.

2. Getting Started with Google Cloud

• Introduction to GCP:
  • Overview of Google Cloud Platform.
  • Google Cloud global infrastructure.
  • Creating a free GCP account.
• Google Cloud Console:
  • Navigating the Google Cloud Console.
  • Understanding Google Cloud Resource Hierarchy (projects, folders, and organizations).

3. Core GCP Services

• Compute Services:
  • Google Compute Engine (VMs).
  • Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).
  • App Engine (standard and flexible environments).
  • Cloud Functions (serverless computing).
• Storage Services:
  • Google Cloud Storage.
  • Persistent Disks and Filestore.
• Networking Services:
  • Virtual Private Cloud (VPC).
  • Cloud Load Balancing.
  • Cloud CDN (Content Delivery Network).

4. Data and Databases

• Google Cloud SQL:
  • Managing relational databases.
• Cloud Spanner:
  • Globally distributed relational database.
• BigQuery:
  • Fully managed data warehouse for analytics.
• Firestore:
  • NoSQL document database.

5. Identity and Access Management

• Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM):
  • Managing users, roles, and permissions.
  • Understanding IAM policies and service accounts.
• Cloud Identity:
  • Managing user identities and access.

6. Security and Compliance

• Cloud Security:
  • Security best practices.
• Key Management Service (KMS):
  • Managing cryptographic keys.
• Cloud Audit Logs:
  • Monitoring and auditing activities in your GCP environment.

7. DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

• Cloud Build:
  • Building, testing, and deploying applications.
• Container Registry:
  • Storing and managing Docker container images.
• Cloud Source Repositories:
  • Private Git repositories hosted on GCP.

8. Machine Learning and AI

• AI and Machine Learning Services:
  • Using pre-trained models with AI Platform.
  • Building custom models with AI Platform Training.
• Big Data Processing:
  • Using Dataflow for stream and batch processing.
  • Using Dataproc for managed Spark and Hadoop clusters.

9. Monitoring and Logging

• Operations Suite (formerly Stackdriver):
  • Monitoring: Metrics, dashboards, and alerts.
  • Logging: Collecting, storing, and analyzing logs.
• Error Reporting and Debugging:
  • Monitoring errors and debugging applications.

10. Cost Management and Optimization

• Understanding GCP Pricing:
  • Monitoring and controlling costs.
• Cost Management Tools:
  • Using cost estimation and optimization tools.

11. Specialized GCP Services

• Internet of Things (IoT):
  • Using IoT Core for managing IoT devices.
• APIs and Service Management:
  • Using API Gateway and Apigee for API management.
• Hybrid and Multi-Cloud:
  • Using Anthos for hybrid and multi-cloud management.

12. Certifications and Exam Preparation

• Associate Cloud Engineer:
  • Basic understanding and management of GCP resources.
• Professional Cloud Architect:
  • Designing and managing robust, secure, scalable, and dynamic solutions.
• Professional Data Engineer:
  • Designing and building data processing systems.
• Specialty Certifications:
  • Focused certifications like Security Engineer, Network Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, etc.

Resources

• Official Documentation: Google Cloud Documentation
• Books:
  • “Google Cloud Platform for Developers” by Ted Hunter and Steven Porter.
  • “Cloud Native Architectures: Design high-availability and cost-effective applications for the cloud” by Tom Laszewski, Kamal Arora, Erik Farr, and Piyum Zonooz.
• Practice Labs:
  • Use platforms like Qwiklabs, Google Cloud Skills Boost for hands-on practice.

By following this learning path, you will gain a thorough understanding of Google Cloud Platform and be well-prepared to leverage its services for various cloud computing needs in 2024 and beyond.