Cloud Training

 View Only

  • 1.  Study Jam Discussion for IBM Cloud Advocate 2022

    Posted Thu June 02, 2022 12:12 PM
    Edited by M. Dee Starliper Thu June 22, 2023 08:42 AM

    The study material is now available! Since IBM employees' training is tracked internally, there are a few areas where links for the material below differs depending upon whether you are an employee at IBM or not. Please use the appropriate links.

     

    External Cloud Enthusiast Links

    Internal Cloud Enthusiast Links

    IBM Cloud Advocate Learning Plan  

    IBM Cloud Advocate Learning Plan

    IBM Cloud Prep Web App – flash cards and study guides  

    IBM Cloud Prep Web App – flash cards and study guides

    Study Jam Materials 

    Study Jam Materials 

    Free Sample Test - Scroll down to the link on right side of page  

    Free Sample Test - Scroll down to the link on right side of page

    Assessment Exam - Scroll down to the link on right side of page (NOTE: There is a $30 USD fee to take the assessment exam.)    

    Assessment Exam - Scroll down to the link on right side of page 



    Let's use this thread to discuss and ask questions about the IBM Cloud Advocate certification and curriculum. You can ask questions for our subject matter experts and crowdsource answers too. 

    ------------------------------
    Millie Starliper
    Project Manager
    IBM Center for Cloud Training
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Study Jam Discussion for IBM Cloud Advocate 2022

    Posted Mon June 06, 2022 12:40 PM
    A couple of questions that came in late on the Jam this afternoon.....

    The first was "What's the difference between IBM Cloud Advocate and IBM Cloud Technical Advocate"?
    Well, great question. So, our Advocate learning paths and exams are for those people who are fairly new to cloud computing. It's a term you may have heard of but it's not something that you're really used or know much about. The difference between Cloud Advocate and Cloud Technical Advocate is really your starting point - if you come from a background which is more business-centric, then Cloud Advocate is for you. It'll enable you to understand the key concepts of cloud, understand the different types of cloud and delivery types and give you an overview of the key IBM Cloud services, which will allow you to have a meaningful discussion about common cloud concepts. If you have a more 'technical' background, but have not yet experienced cloud, then Cloud Technical Advocate is a better starting point for you, as it'll use your technical experience to go a little deeper with a more technical point of view of the different cloud services that are available, and areas such as resilience and availability when running in the cloud. 

    The next question was "After taking cloud advocate, what's the next best certification option?".
    Again, another great question and one that's asked a lot. Well, it probably depends on what your skills are and whether you are looking to develop a career through learning and certification. For example, if you are looking to develop yourself into a Cloud Developer, Architect or Site Reliability Engineer, which are great career paths, then I'd recommend looking at those learning paths next. Certification in those job roles can make you more productive and of course, stand out among the crowd. Having an IBM Cloud Advocate certification also means that you can study one of our specialty certifications and take the exam too. So if you're working in say the Financial Services sector, then our IBM Cloud for Financial Services course could be the next best step for you.

    ------------------------------
    James Belton
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Study Jam Discussion for IBM Cloud Advocate 2022

    Posted Tue June 07, 2022 06:14 AM
    These are the other questions which were asked during Day 1 of the Cloud Advocate Study Jam. 

    Is it mandatory to complete the course material before taking the IBM Cloud Advocate exam?

    No, not at all. However, the information in the Jam is coming at you quickly and in a condensed form, so we do recommend that you spend at least some time going through the course material to give yourself the best possible chance of fully understanding the material and passing the Cloud Advocate exam.


    What is an IBM Cloud Advocate?

    Somebody that is an IBM Cloud Advocate has a good grounding in cloud computing. They can explain what cloud computing is and its benefits and they understand and can articulate the different types of cloud deployment and service models. They can talk about IBM Cloud and its core services and essentially be an advocate for cloud when discussion solutions with customers. 


    Does the exam has a cost ?

    Yes, the exam is proctored by PearsonVue and does have a cost. Standard costs are USD$200 or USD$100, depending on your country of residence.

     
    Is IBM Cloud Advocate a mandatory or prerequisite certification for IBM Cloud Professional Architect certificate or IBM Cloud for Financial Services?

    There are no mandatory or pre-requisite certifications required to take our 'Professional' level certifications such as IBM Cloud Professional Architect. However, to take one of our 'Specialty' level certifications, which includes IBM Cloud for Financial Services, we ask that you have passed at least one other IBM Cloud certification exam first, to ensure that you have a solid grounding in IBM Cloud and it's common components, which are not re-taught as part of the Speciality courses.

     

    Is the training provided in this Jam sufficient for clearing the exam ?

    Yes, though the information in the Jam is coming at you quickly and in a condensed form, so we do recommend that you spend at least some time going through the course material to give yourself the best possible chance of fully understanding the material and passing the Cloud Advocate exam.

     

    In IAM, which role enables a user to manage a resource?

    It depends. The account-level Administrator role will enable a user to manage any resource across the account. However, in a model of 'least privilege', granting the Administrator role to more than a very few people is not advised. Instead, we'd recommend granting the 'Manager' role to a user on the resource itself. This more granular approach to access management provides a greater level of control and account security.


    Can you please explain Multicloud once again ?

    Multicloud is an approach which uses cloud services from two or more service providers. For example, an organisation that chooses to deploy services in IBM Cloud and AWS, would be deploying a multicloud strategy. There are many reasons for doing this but the most common include: to avoid vendor lock-in, to take advantage of particular locations or to take advantage of particular services. The increased flexibility of a multicloud solution does create a greater management overhead, however.
     

    Is it necessary to finish this advocate certification for IBM Cloud Professional Developer?

    No, there are no pre-requisites to taking the IBM Cloud Professional Developer course and certification.

     
    Recently I studied and and passed the Certified CloudPak for Data Solution Architect v4.0 exam. Can I now take IBM cloud for financial services?

    To take one of our 'Specialty' level certifications, which includes IBM Cloud for Financial Services, we ask that you have passed at least one other IBM Cloud certification exam first, to ensure that you have a solid grounding in IBM Cloud and its common components, which are not re-taught as part of the Speciality courses. I'm afraid that the IBM CloudPak certifications do not count in this regard.

     
    Is IBM Cloud Advocate a pre-requisite to IBM Cloud Technical Advocate?

    No. Cloud Advocate has been developed for learners that have no real technical back ground but want to have a solid grounding in cloud computing. Cloud Technical Advocate is for those who come to the learning with some technical experience. The learning for this course builds on that experience and provides the learner with a deeper knowledge of key IBM Cloud concepts and services from a more technical perspective.

     
    What are serverless compute services offered by IBM Cloud?

    IBM Cloud Functions and IBM Cloud Code Engine are two serverless compute services offered by IBM Cloud.

     

    How is ICCT certification different from IBM certification?

    The IBM Center for Cloud Training (ICCT) is responsible for creating and maintaining IBM's certification and associated learning courses for IBM Cloud. The certification is still and 'IBM certification' but the exam and training has been developed by a cloud-specific organisation within IBM.

      

    Are the questions on the exam multiple choice?

    Yes. The IBM Cloud Advocate exam features approximately 60 multiple choice questions. Most will be 'choose one from four', some will be 'choose two from five'.

     

    How do you create a Virtual Machine in IBM Cloud?

    You can create several different types of virtual machine in IBM Cloud, depending on needs. The most common would be through a Virtual Private Cloud, though IBM Cloud also offers 'Classic Infrastructure' virtual machines as well as the ability to provision VMware environments.

     

    Is the Cloud Advocate certification in English only?

    At the current time, yes.

     

    What is advantage of IBM Cloud Advocate in the skills market?

    There is currently a skills gap around cloud computing in the IT market-place, and companies are keen to close this to give them competitive advantage. Having a cloud-skilled and certified workforce at all levels means that organsations are able to develop, deploy and bring to market cloud solutions much faster that those who don't. As an individual, you can use your certification and knowledge to kick-start a new career in cloud computing,  get ahead in your current role or stand out from the crowd in the jobs market.

     

    Where do I find information about the certification process on ibm.com/training/cloud?

    To find out more about the certification process for any exam, visit ibm.com/training/cloud, select the learning path you are interested in and click the 'ready for certification exam' button at the end of the learning path. This will take you to a screen with more information about the exam, including a link to PearsonVue, where you can book your exam.

     

    Do we have IBM cloud developer certification, are there any prerequisites for that?

    Yes, there is an IBM Cloud Professional Developer certification and course. This does not have any prerequisites. Visit ibm.com/training/cloud and follow the links to access the course.

     

    What is Hybrid Cloud?

    Hybrid cloud is a model where an organisation uses services that are deployed and consumed from a Public Cloud and a Private Cloud. For example, they might have an application which has been built and deployed in IBM Cloud but is integrated with a database service and other applications that remains managed on-premises. This would be a hybrid cloud scenario.

    IBM Cloud represents which cloud model?

    IBM Cloud is a Public Cloud.



    ------------------------------
    James Belton
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Study Jam Discussion for IBM Cloud Advocate 2022

    Posted Thu June 09, 2022 06:54 AM
    Answers to other questions that came up in the Jam....

    Does the Cloud Advocate learning pathway material on the ICCT website (ibm.com/training/cloud) give you enough knowledge to attempt the exam?

    Yes – the course was specifically developed alongside the exam to give you all you need to know.

     

    What is different between a Lite & Pay-As-you-go IBM Cloud account?

    Prior to October 2021, it was possible to sign up for an IBM Cloud 'Lite' account. This was an account which provided 'Lite' tier services only, which are free-of-charge but typically have certain service limits applied to them. This account-type was discontinued in October 2021 but existing Lite accounts can continue to be used. The Pay-as-you-go (or PAYGO) account is now referred to as the 'Free' account and this is the default account type for all new accounts. The Free account provides you access to all IBM Cloud services – including 'Lite' services and 'Free' services which do not attract charges. Chargeable services are also available and these are charged on a monthlly 'pay as you go' basis – hence the 'paygo' name.

     

    Where do I need to register for the exam?

    All of our exams are proctored through PearsonVue. Check here for exam details and links: https://www.ibm.com/training/certification/C9003700#exam

     

     

    Does Classic Infrastructure use IAM?

    No, IBM Cloud Classic Infrastructure doesn't use Identity and Access Management (IAM) to manage access rights and it has its own set of access controls. This is due to history. IBM Cloud Classic Infrastructure existed for many years as SoftLayer, before IBM acquired the company in 2013. While that infrastructure is now firmly part of IBM Cloud, the underlying system controls for Classic Infrastructure have not been changed to avoid distruption for existing customers.

     

    I'm a database administrator.  Once I pass IBM Cloud Advocate, which certification would you recommend next?

    It largely depends on where you want to go in your career. I was a database administrator earlier in my career and I found that naturally took me towards IT Architecture, partly through getting involved with designing the infrastructure the database sat on and partly through career interest, so for me, the Cloud Architect certification would have been the more natural pathway. So my advice would be to have a think about where your skills lie and where your interests lies in the future for your career too and pick the path that would help you on your way.

     

    Is here a natural progression between the certifications?  I have been looking at Cloud Sales Engineer and it fits loser to where I would like to be, so do the certifications build up? 

    Generally, yes – Cloud Advocate to Technical Cloud Advocate, to the Professional level certifications and then onto the Specialties and Advanced certifications, would be a typical progression. The Cloud Sales Engineer certification you mention is for IBMers and Business Partners only and that's a rounded mix of the Advocate level exams.

     

     

    I want to use IBM Cloud for VMware services on Classic Infrastructure. Do I need both Classic and IAM permissions from the Cloud account holder to do this.

    The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer is that generally, IBM Cloud for VMware services require you to have IAM-based permissions to use and interact with the service but if you want to provision it along with the classic infrastructure, then you'll need some classic infrastructure access rights to do so.

     

     What is an ACL? Does it control traffic to network subnets?

    An ACL – or Access Control List – is a means to control network traffic in and out of subnets and you find them used in VPC. The rules you set up in for an ACL state what traffic can enter or leave the subnet – and also what is explicitly blocked. A couple of things to note about ACL's – a subnet can only be associated with one ACL at a time and ACL rules are read in order from Rule 1 down. Whenever a rule applies, no further rules will be read. For example, if Rule 1 translates as "block all incoming traffic' then nothing will get through, even if Rule 2 is "Allow all TCP traffic on Port 80".

     

     Can you please explain the use of security groups?

    Security groups are a construct of VPC and they're a neat way to apply security rules to one or more virtual server instances (VSIs). For example, you might have a website and you run that website with three webservers and two database servers. You'd want to apply certain access rules to each type of server and the easiest way to do this is through Security Groups. So, you'd create a 'Web Server' Security Group and you would, for example, allow network access to servers in that group from the internet on port 443, block access to all other ports from the internet but allow access on port 22 to a server with a certain IP address, which happens to be your secure, administration jump server. You might also have a 'database server' security group – this would block all access from the internet, allow access from the web server security group on a specific port (say 3306 to make a database connection) and also allow access on port 22 to via your secure, administration jump server. This way, you've specified your security rules once, you can add VSIs into the group without having to change the group and they make security admin more simple. Unlike an ACL, all the rules in the security group are evaluated and be aware that they block all traffic by default.

     

     

    How do I choose between VPC and Private cloud?

    Well, VPC is a private cloud based on public infrastructure, so while it has all the security of a Private Cloud, it doesn't come with the cost overhead of privately owned, dedicated hardware. If you need to have your cloud services running in a physically separated environment with true single tenancy – and this would normally be for security or regulatory compliance reasons – then a true private cloud would be the answer. However, if these are not requirements, then the cost advantages and flexibility of VPC, borne out by using public, shared infrastructure and all the other advantages of Public Cloud, make that the default choice.

     

     What is the difference between Dedicated and reserved Virtual server?

    These are both types of virtual server that you can order as part of IBM Cloud's Classic Infrastructure range. A dedicated virtual server is one that is created on a physical server that is used by a single customer only. When ordering this type of virtual machine for the first time, the first step is to specify the physical host it will run on. You can then add more virtual machines to the same physical host but again, no other customer can use that host.

     

    Reserved virtual servers use public, shared infrastructure. With a reserved virtual server, you are effectively reserving space on hosts so that you can then create virtual servers on them later. This is really useful if you want to ensure all the virtual machines you create a physically close to one another, to avoid network latency, for example. You reserve the space for 1 or 3 year periods.



    ------------------------------
    James Belton
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Study Jam Discussion for IBM Cloud Advocate 2022

    Posted Mon June 13, 2022 12:45 PM
    Edited by M. Dee Starliper Mon June 13, 2022 03:23 PM



    Prepare for your certification examination by following these steps:

    1. Create an account with Pearson VUE.
      • If you already have an account, go to step 2.
      • IBMers should use their IBM email when creating a Pearson VUE account.
    1. Schedule your certification exam.
    1. Study Smart – Prioritize your efforts based on the percentage of questions from each section:
      • Section 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing – 14%
      • Section 2: Cloud Services and Deployment Models – 14%
      • Section 3: Fundamentals of IBM Cloud – 23%
      • Section 4: IBM Cloud Account Essentials – 17%
      • Section 5: Services Available on IBM Cloud – 32%
    1. Review the available study materials
    1. Take the exam!

     

    Review Frequently Asked Questions* for more information:

    Good luck! Be sure to share your certification success on your social channels. Use the hashtags: #IBM #IBMCloud #ibmcloudcertified.

     

    *Since IBM employee training is tracked internally, there are a few links that differ depending upon whether you are an IBM employee. Please use the appropriate links.

    ------------------------------
    Millie Starliper
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Study Jam Discussion for IBM Cloud Advocate 2022

    Posted Tue June 21, 2022 10:01 AM

    Set a study goal and schedule your exam!

     

    We hope you got a lot out of the recent ICCT Study Jam! Now for the next step.

    As you prepare for certification, we suggest a study plan.

     

    Here are some practices that have worked for other participants.

    1. Set aside 15 minutes a day to prepare for the certification exam.
    2. Use the IBM Cloud Prep App to determine your readiness:
      • Review the study guides to learn concepts.
      • Use the flash cards to test your comprehension.
      • Take the quiz to test your knowledge.
    3. Go over the Study jam materials:
      • Replays
      • Slides
      • Questions/answers
    4. Take the free sample test - link on right hand side
    5. Complete the assessment exam - link on right hand side (NOTE: There is a $30 USD fee to take the assessment exam.)

    Review the Next Steps to Certification post for detailed certification exam registration steps.

     

    Good luck! Be sure to share your certification success on your social channels. Use the hashtags: #IBM #IBMCloud #ibmcloudcertified.

    ------------------------------
    Millie Starliper
    ------------------------------

    Original Message