Google Cloud Training – how to start as a newbie? [Guide]

Eager to dive into the world of cloud computing but feeling overwhelmed by the plethora of options out there? Fear not! We have prepared a guide for you through the maze to help you kickstart your journey into the cloud. Google Cloud (also know as GCP) offers a wide range of training resources tailored to suit beginners. Whether you’re a student, a professional looking to upskill, or an entrepreneur venturing into the world of cloud computing and digital transformation, Google Cloud Training has something for everyone.

What is Google Cloud Training?

Google Cloud Training is a comprehensive learning platform designed to equip individuals and organizations with the skills and knowledge needed to harness the power of Google Cloud. From introductory courses to advanced certifications, Google Cloud Training covers a diverse range of topics, including cloud infrastructure, data analytics, machine learning, and more.

Why Google Cloud?

Before we delve into the specifics of Google Cloud Training, let’s take a moment to understand why Google Cloud Platform is worth exploring. Like other public clouds, Google Cloud Platform offers a robust and secure infrastructure that enables businesses to build, deploy, and scale applications with ease.

With a global network of data centers, advanced security features, and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, Google Cloud Platform provides the foundation for innovation and growth.

Where to start?

Now that you’re ready to embark on your Google Cloud journey, the question arises: Where to start? Follow these steps to get familiar with cloud computing and with Google Cloud technologies and services.

Step 1: Understand cloud computing basics

Before diving into Google Cloud, it’s essential to grasp the fundamentals of cloud computing. Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services over the internet, allowing users to access resources such as storage, processing power, and applications on-demand, without the need for on-premises infrastructure.

Key concepts to understand include:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Provides virtual computing resources over the internet, such as virtual machines and storage.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS). Offers a platform allowing developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without dealing with infrastructure.
• Software as a Service (SaaS). Delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis, eliminating the need for installation and maintenance.

Step 2: Familiarize yourself with Google Cloud (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is Google’s suite of cloud computing services, offering a wide range of products for computing, storage, databases, machine learning, and more. Google Cloud products allow for:

• convenient and scalable cloud storage services
• faster and cheaper application development
• secure network infrastructure
• easy and secure access management
• driving meaningful insights from big data, and more.

Explore core services

To understand what Google Cloud can do for you and your business, it’s best to learn about some of the most common and useful products. Learn about Google Cloud’s core services and their functionalities, including: Cloud Storage, Compute Engine, BigQuery, Cloud SQL, Cloud Functions and many more. Here are some of the core Google Cloud services:

• Compute Engine. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offering virtual machines (VMs) for running applications.
• Cloud Storage. Object storage service for storing and accessing data.
• BigQuery. Serverless, highly scalable data warehouse for analytics.
• Cloud SQL. Fully managed relational database service.
• Cloud Functions. Event-driven serverless functions for building applications.

Understand service categories

Categorize services based on their functions, such as compute, storage, databases, machine learning, and networking.

Review use cases

Examine use cases for each service to understand how they can be applied in different scenarios.

Learn Pricing Models

Gain insights into Google Cloud’s pricing models, including pay-as-you-go, sustained use discounts (SUD), and committed use discounts (CUD).

Step 3: Set up your Google Cloud account

To get started with Google Cloud training, you’ll need to create a Google Cloud account. If you don’t already have one, don’t worry – it’s quick and easy to set up.

Simply visit the Google Cloud website and follow the prompts to create your account. You may be required to provide some basic information and payment details, but rest assured that Google offers a free tier with access to many of its services.

1. Create an account. Visit the Google Cloud Console and sign up for a new account using your email address.
2. Provide billing information. Enter your billing information to enable billing for your account. Google Cloud offers free trial credits for new users.
3. Verify your identity. Complete the identity verification process to ensure the security of your account.
4. Set up payment method. Add a payment method, such as a credit card or bank account, to facilitate billing for your usage.
5. Enable billing alerts: Configure billing alerts to receive notifications when your usage exceeds predefined thresholds.

Step 4: Get acquainted with the Google Cloud console

Once you’ve created your account, take some time to familiarize yourself with the Google Cloud Console. The Cloud Console is your central hub for managing your Google Cloud resources, deploying applications, monitoring performance, and more.

Spend some time navigating through the different sections and getting acquainted with the various tools and features available.

Step 5: Explore Google Cloud free tier

As mentioned above, Google Cloud offers a free tier with limited usage of its services. It may not be great, but it’s very important, as it allows users to experiment and learn without incurring any charges.

1. Review Free Tier Benefits: Explore the services and usage limits included in Google Cloud’s free tier offering.
2. Activate Free Trial: Activate your free trial credits to start using Google Cloud services without incurring charges.
3. Experiment with Services: Take advantage of the free tier to experiment with different Google Cloud services and features.
4. Monitor Usage: Keep track of your usage to ensure you stay within the free tier limits and avoid unexpected charges.
5. Upgrade as Needed: Consider upgrading to a paid account once you outgrow the free tier or require additional resources for your projects.

Take advantage of the free tier to explore different Google Cloud services and understand their capabilities. Hands on Experiment with different services to become familiar with Google Cloud storage services, data processing systems, network services and even with app deployment manager.

Step 6: Enroll in Google Cloud Training courses

Now it’s time to dive into the world of Google Cloud Training. Google offers a variety of training options, including instructor-led courses, self-paced tutorials, hands-on labs, and more. Whether you prefer to learn at your own pace or participate in live sessions with expert instructors, there’s something for everyone.

Check out the Google Cloud Training website to browse the available courses and enroll in the ones that interest you, to deepen your understanding of Google Cloud services and prepare for certification exams.

Consider starting with foundational courses before advancing to specialized topics.

Start with the Fundamentals

As a newbie, it’s important to start with the fundamentals. Google Cloud offers a series of foundational courses designed to introduce you to the core concepts and principles of cloud computing. Topics covered include cloud infrastructure, networking, storage, security, and more. These courses provide a solid foundation upon which you can build your knowledge and skills.

Hands-On Practice

Theory is important, but nothing beats hands-on practice when it comes to learning a new skill. Take advantage of Google Cloud’s hands-on labs and exercises to put your knowledge into practice. Experiment with deploying virtual machines, setting up storage buckets, running data analytics queries, and more. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in your abilities.

Specialize in Your Area of Interest

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, consider specializing in a particular area of interest. Whether you’re interested in data analytics, machine learning, app development, or cybersecurity, Google Cloud offers specialized training paths to help you hone your skills in cloud computing and become an expert in your chosen field. Explore the different certification tracks available and choose the one that aligns with your career goals.

Step 7: Dive into Google Cloud documentation and tutorials

Google Cloud offers extensive documentation and tutorials to help users learn and understand its services. Explore the official documentation and follow step-by-step tutorials to gain hands-on experience with GCP products. Start with beginner-level tutorials and gradually progress to more advanced topics as you build confidence.

Cheat sheet on GCP

Once you are ready for a deep dive, here’s a cheat sheet with all Google Cloud services. Study it to explore detailed information about each service, including features, APIs, and best practices.

The list is so exhaustive, even a seasoned data engineer will find useful, especially when preparing for Google Cloud certification, such as Cloud Digital Leader.

Step 8: Practice Hands-On Labs and Projects

Hands-on experience is crucial for mastering Google Cloud. Practice what you’ve learned by completing hands-on labs and projects. Create sample applications, deploy them to Google Cloud, and experiment with different services and configurations.

1. Select projects. Choose projects or use cases that align with your learning objectives and interests, such as building a web application, analyzing large datasets, or deploying machine learning models.
2. Set objectives. Define clear objectives and goals for each project, including desired outcomes, deliverables, and success criteria.
3. Plan implementation. Develop a project plan outlining the steps required to implement your solution using Google Cloud services.
4. Execute implementation. Implement your project plan by deploying resources, configuring services, and developing application code as needed.
5. Evaluate results. Evaluate the results of your projects based on predefined success criteria, identify lessons learned, and iterate on your solutions to improve performance and efficiency.

Building real-world projects will solidify your understanding and prepare you for practical challenges.

Step 9: Stay Updated with Google Cloud News and Updates

Cloud technology evolves rapidly, with new features and updates regularly introduced by cloud providers like Google. Continuous learning is key to staying ahead in the cloud industry.

1. Subscribe to newsletters. Subscribe to Google Cloud newsletters and announcements to receive updates on new features, products, and services.
2. Follow official blogs. Follow the official Google Cloud Blog and other industry blogs to stay informed about cloud computing trends, best practices, and case studies.
3. Attend webinars. Attend virtual events, webinars, and conferences hosted by Google Cloud and industry organizations.

Try Google Cloud with a guide

Embarking on your Google Cloud journey as a newbie may seem daunting at first, but with the right guidance and resources, you can navigate the path to success with ease. By enrolling in Google Cloud Training courses, practicing hands-on exercises, and staying updated with the latest developments, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of cloud computing.

If you would like an FOTC cloud expert to introduce you to Google Cloud and help you decide which of its products and services best suit your company’s needs, contact us.