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There are 4 modules in this course
Develop hybrid cloud architecture knowledge that today’s organizations rely on to run scalable, resilient systems. This course provides a comprehensive, hands-on pathway through advanced cloud networking, storage architecture, data management, and business continuity across hybrid and multicloud environments. You’ll explore global and regional network design, load balancing patterns, security layers, and interconnect options while learning how to diagnose performance, latency, and routing challenges.
This course also guides you through object, block, and file storage models, as well as caching and tiering techniques and replication strategies that influence durability, cost, and global availability. You’ll examine lifecycle policies, compliance controls, and data governance practices, as well as disaster recovery frameworks, RPO/RTO planning, and real-world outage scenarios.
In the final project, you'll take on the role of a hybrid cloud architect, identifying architecture shortcomings, proposing secure, high-performance, and cost-efficient hybrid cloud architecture solutions, and justifying your recommended solutions.
In this module, you will explore advanced cloud networking concepts that build upon the fundamentals. You'll learn about the configuration of layered security across subnets and firewalls, explore advanced load balancing and DNS strategies, and implement secure multicloud connectivity using VPNs, Direct Connect, and ExpressRoute. You'll also evaluate hybrid topologies such as hub-and-spoke and mesh networks, and practice diagnosing common latency, throughput, and cost bottlenecks across providers.
What's included
8 videos3 readings4 assignments9 plugins
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 48 minutes
Course Introduction•4 minutes
Review of Cloud Networking•4 minutes
Designing Secure Network Segmentation•6 minutes
Private Endpoints and Workload Isolation•7 minutes
Advanced Load Balancing: L4 versus L7•7 minutes
DNS Failover and Global Load Distribution •7 minutes
Connectivity Options Across Providers•7 minutes
Hybrid Networking Topologies•7 minutes
3 readings•Total 15 minutes
IBM Product Spotlight: IBM Turbonomic•2 minutes
Course Overview•3 minutes
Connectivity Options Across Providers•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 51 minutes
Graded Quiz: Advanced Cloud Networking•21 minutes
Practice Quiz: Advanced Segmentation and Security Controls•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Load Balancing and DNS Management•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Multicloud Connectivity and Hybrid Topologies•10 minutes
9 plugins•Total 53 minutes
Helpful Tips for Course Completion•1 minute
Reading: Best Practices for Hybrid Cloud Segmentation•4 minutes
Podcast: Common Pitfalls in Network Security•5 minutes
Reading: Global DNS Strategies for Multi-Region Clouds•4 minutes
Podcast: When DNS Breaks: Lessons from the Field•5 minutes
In this module, you will explore cloud storage models at an advanced level. You'll be able to compare the trade-offs for object, block, and file storage, not just in theory, but through their latency, durability, and throughput. You'll learn how to control costs and enhance performance using optimization strategies, including caching, tiering, and lifecycle policies. You'll also examine replication patterns, including synchronous versus asynchronous, and geo-distribution approaches across multiple providers. Then apply what you know when you complete a role-play analysis that requires classifying and mapping workloads to the correct storage model.
What's included
6 videos3 assignments6 plugins
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 34 minutes
Review of Cloud Storage Options•5 minutes
Comparing Object, Block, and File Storage•6 minutes
When to Choose Each Storage Model•6 minutes
Tuning Storage Performance•7 minutes
Replication Strategies•6 minutes
Trade-Offs in Multi-Region Storage•5 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
Graded Quiz: Storage Models in Practice•30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Comparing Storage Models•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Performance Optimization and Replication•10 minutes
6 plugins•Total 35 minutes
Reading: Hybrid Storage Model•4 minutes
Reading: Selecting the Right Storage Model•5 minutes
Podcast: Common Missteps in Storage Architecture •5 minutes
Reading: Geo-Distribution and Cross-Region Storage Design •6 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Storage Models in Practice•5 minutes
Module Glossary: Storage Models in Practice•10 minutes
Data Management and Business Continuity
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you'll focus on advanced data management and business continuity strategies in hybrid and multicloud environments. You'll gain actionable insights into how to apply disaster recovery architectures with clear Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO) targets, implement high availability for SQL and NoSQL databases, and apply lifecycle policies for compliance, archiving, and sustainability. You'll also practice analyzing database scaling strategies, identifying hybrid cloud architecture issues, and recommending configurations for tiered Storage that adhere to compliance policies.
What's included
7 videos4 assignments8 plugins
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 41 minutes
Scaling Databases with Sharding and Partitioning•6 minutes
Replication Models for Performance and Availability•6 minutes
Designing DR Architectures: RPO, RTO, and Failover•5 minutes
High Availability for SQL and NoSQL Databases•6 minutes
Analyzing Broken Hybrid Architectures•6 minutes
Lifecycle Management: Tiering, Archiving, and Retention•5 minutes
Compliance and Data Sovereignty in Multicloud•7 minutes
4 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Graded Quiz: Data Management and Business Continuity•30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Database Scalability and Performance•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Disaster Recovery and High Availability•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Lifecycle Policies and Compliance•10 minutes
8 plugins•Total 45 minutes
Reading: Best Practices for Database Scalability in Hybrid Cloud•5 minutes
Podcast: When and Why to Shard Databases•5 minutes
Reading: Best Practices for Database HA in Hybrid Cloud•5 minutes
Podcast: Lessons Learned from DR Failures•5 minutes
Reading: Compliance Challenges in Data Lifecycle Management•5 minutes
Podcast: Sustainability and Compliance Considerations•5 minutes
Podcast: Summary and Highlights: Data Management and Business Continuity•5 minutes
Module Glossary: Data Management and Business Continuity•10 minutes
Final Project: Architecting a Resilient Hybrid Cloud System
Module 4•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will integrate all the skills you've developed in the course to design a resilient, cost-optimized hybrid cloud architecture. You'll apply advanced networking, storage optimization, and business continuity strategies to a realistic case study. The project requires diagnosing performance and resilience challenges, selecting the right trade-offs, and justifying your design decisions. This module emphasizes practical application of your knowledge and demonstrates your ability to diagnose shortcomings, recommend solutions, and justify their use as a hybrid cloud architect would in a professional setting.
What's included
3 readings1 assignment1 app item9 plugins
Show info about module content
3 readings•Total 13 minutes
What's Next: Explore IBM Turbonomic•1 minute
Congratulations and Next Steps•2 minutes
Team and Acknowledgments•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
Final Exam•60 minutes
1 app item•Total 20 minutes
Final Project Assessment: Mark Project Submission•20 minutes
9 plugins•Total 130 minutes
Reading: Introduction to the Final Project•2 minutes
Reading: Final Project: Scenario Overview•12 minutes
Reading: Final Project Response Form•10 minutes
Reading: Final Project Part 1: Sample Scenario and Solution•3 minutes
Project Assignment Part 1: Fix the Architecture: Storage and Networks•45 minutes
Project Assignment Part 2: Plan for Scalability and Design Business Continuity•45 minutes
Reading: Final Project Part 2: Sample Scenario and Solution•4 minutes
Reading: Course Glossary•5 minutes
Course Wrap-Up•4 minutes
Earn a career certificate
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At IBM, we know how rapidly tech evolves and recognize the crucial need for businesses and professionals to build job-ready, hands-on skills quickly. As a market-leading tech innovator, we’re committed to helping you thrive in this dynamic landscape. Through IBM Skills Network, our expertly designed training programs in AI, software development, cybersecurity, data science, business management, and more, provide the essential skills you need to secure your first job, advance your career, or drive business success. Whether you’re upskilling yourself or your team, our courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates build the technical expertise that ensures you, and your organization, excel in a competitive world.
This course builds the skills needed for roles such asCloud Network Engineers, Cloud Architects, Cloud Infrastructure Specialists, Systems Analysts, cybersecurity-focused professionals, and experienced IT support or software developers expanding into cloud architecture. This course is equally valuable for career switchers and reskillers aiming for hybrid or multicloud roles.
What prior knowledge is essential for this course?
You’ll need familiarity with IT fundamentals, basic cloud concepts, and general networking or IT support experience to complete this course successfully. Completing the earlier courses in the IBM Hybrid Cloud Architect Professional Certificate is highly recommended for smooth progression.
What tools and technologies will I learn in this course?
You’ll work with analyzing hybrid and multicloud networking, load balancers, DNS systems, VPN/Direct Connect/ExpressRoute setups, and storage layers. Labs also expose you to latency, throughput, routing, replication, and cost analysis across cloud providers.
What practical skills will I gain from this course?
You’ll learn to design advanced cloud networks, optimize storage, build geo-distributed replication strategies, and create resilient cloud architectures. By the final project, you’ll be able to architect a secure, scalable hybrid cloud system and justify your design decisions like a practicing cloud architect.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.