Best Skills & Certification Before Moving to Cloud Career

Let’s discuss the skills and certifications you must learn before moving to a cloud career. I am specific to AWS and Google Cloud because I’m not a big fan of Microsoft Azure. Managing the cloud and taking those certifications requires you to have many different skills sets, such as
1. Application development
2. Networking servers
3. Container storage, and many more.

Top 5 Skills and Certifications before moving to the Cloud

Containers such as Docker and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes, so what is a container? The container is a lightweight virtual machine with a complete and self-contained software environment. This allows applications to run consistently and securely across different domains. It provides the benefits of traditional virtualization but is much more lightweight, efficient and profitable. This is ideal for modern application deployment, especially those applications running in Cloud associate level certifications of choice, CKAD or Certified Kubernetes Application Developer. Cloud Native Computing Foundation or CNCF offers this. This verifies a candidate’s ability to design and configure unexposed Cloud native applications for deployment on Kubernetes clusters.

The next mid or professional-level certification of choice is Certified Kubernetes Administrator or CKA. This is a highly recognized industry certification that demonstrates a candidate’s Proficiency in managing to configure and deploy scalable reliable unsecured Kubernetes clusters. Again, this is the same organization as CNCF. If you want to understand Docker and Kubernetes differently, check the 591 LABS & 591 CERT and consult with the trainer from the contact.

Benefits of having Kubernetes for a Cloud career

Having a Kubernetes certification can provide several benefits for your cloud career. A Kubernetes certification can provide advantages, but gaining hands-on experience and continuously updating your skills is still important to stay relevant in the ever-evolving cloud landscape.

Here are some key benefits:

• Industry-Recognized Expertise: Kubernetes has become the de facto standard for container orchestration in the cloud industry. By earning a Kubernetes certification, you demonstrate your knowledge and skills in working with Kubernetes, making you a valuable asset to employers and clients.
• Increased Job Opportunities: Kubernetes is widely adopted by organizations of all sizes, and the demand for professionals with Kubernetes expertise is high. Holding a Kubernetes certification enhances your job prospects, as many companies specifically look for certified professionals to manage their containerized applications.
• Competitive Edge: With the rapid growth of cloud computing and containerization, having a Kubernetes certification gives you a competitive advantage over other candidates lacking this expertise. It showcases your commitment to continuous learning and up-to-date with emerging technologies.
• Higher Earning Potential: Certified Kubernetes professionals often command higher salaries due to their specialised skills. Organizations are willing to pay a premium for individuals who can effectively design, deploy, and manage Kubernetes clusters, ensuring the availability and scalability of their applications.
• Career Advancement: Kubernetes is a complex technology, and gaining certification demonstrates your ability to work with it effectively. Holding a Kubernetes certification can open doors to higher-level positions, such as Kubernetes administrator, cloud architect, DevOps engineer, or solutions architect, enabling you to advance your career in the cloud industry.
• Enhanced Knowledge and Skills: Preparing for a Kubernetes certification equips you with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Kubernetes clusters. This knowledge extends beyond Kubernetes and covers related technologies like containerization, networking, and storage, making you a more well-rounded professional.
• Networking Opportunities: Joining the Kubernetes community and pursuing certification exposes you to a vast network of professionals, including fellow certified individuals, industry experts, and potential employers. Engaging with this community can lead to valuable connections, collaboration opportunities, and staying informed about the latest trends and best practices.

Top 4 Skills and Certifications before moving to Cloud

Network Technologies refers to the various methods and devices used to connect computers and other devices to allow Communication and data exchange over a network. We have two types, wired and wireless, also known as Wi-Fi. But the wireless network is not used in cloud computing environments through it supports modern Communications and information systems such as the internet and other local and wide area networks.

The associate level certification of choice is, of course, CCNA or Cisco Certified Network Associate. I would choose the CCNA data center if Cisco didn’t retire it, and CCNA is the most popular IT certification. It’s the gold standard in associate-level certifications; it’s a globally recognized validation of candidate skills in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting medium-size routed and switched networks and understanding and implementing network security.

Next, the mid-professional level certification of choice is CCNP Data Center. It is good, but kind of Overkill DC core or data center specialist is enough. The reason why CCNA is not the top choice in this list is that in Cloud, there are many Network Technologies that you are not required to understand, such as
1. 802.12
2. Strongking
3. SDP
4. Four channels
5. mpls configuration

CCNP or CCIE Data-Center is more helpful than the more popular Enterprise track in the data center track, which covers server virtualization and storage Technologies.

Top 3 Skills and Certifications before moving to Cloud

DevNet stands for developer Network. This is for engineers who deploy and automate networks that enable data to move swiftly between data centres and Cloud. This is also a program by Cisco. The goal is to allow effective Network and system Automation and integration or to enable DevOps while focusing on the network. The Associate-level certification of choice is Cisco Certified DevNet Associate. This is the only certification that talks about
1. Application development
2. Cloud Basics
3. Containers
4. Automation
5. API
6. Python
7. DevOps
8. Software models and many more.

These certifications give you an idea of what you want to specialize in your cloud and data center career.
Next, the mid- or professional-level certification is Cisco Certified DevNet professional. I think it’s Overkill. There were too many Cisco propriety topics and many topics unrelated to the Cloud. According to me, the Associate level is enough.

Advantages for cloud career people will get from Cisco DevNet

Cisco DevNet offers several advantages for individuals pursuing a cloud career. Here are some benefits of Cisco DevNet for cloud professionals:

Industry-recognized certifications:

Cisco DevNet provides certification programs specifically designed for cloud professionals, such as the Cisco Certified DevNet Associate (DEVASC) and Cisco Certified DevNet Professional (DEVCOR) certifications. These certifications validate your skills and expertise in cloud development, automation, and programmability, making you more marketable to potential employers.

Access to learning resources:

Cisco DevNet offers a comprehensive range of learning resources, including documentation, learning labs, sandboxes, and code samples. These resources enable cloud professionals to gain hands-on experience with Cisco technologies and develop their skills in network automation, software-defined networking (SDN), and cloud-native applications.

Community support and networking:

DevNet provides a vibrant community of developers, network engineers, and IT professionals who share their knowledge, experiences, and best practices. Engaging with this community allows cloud professionals to expand their network, collaborate on projects, and seek expert advice, fostering professional growth and learning opportunities.

Opportunities for innovation:

Cisco DevNet emphasizes innovation and encourages developers to explore new ideas, technologies, and solutions. Through its developer programs and initiatives, such as DevNet Sandboxes and DevNet Ecosystem Exchange, cloud professionals can experiment, prototype, and create innovative cloud applications, integrations, and automation solutions using Cisco platforms.

Career advancement:

Having skills and certifications in Cisco DevNet can significantly enhance career prospects for cloud professionals. Many organizations, particularly those with Cisco infrastructure, value professionals who can effectively develop, automate, and manage their network infrastructure and cloud deployments. By leveraging Cisco DevNet, cloud professionals can position themselves as cloud-native development. And automation experts, opening doors to higher-level roles and increasing job opportunities.

Integration with Cisco technologies:

Cisco DevNet provides deep integration with Cisco’s infrastructure and networking technologies. Making it easier for cloud professionals to work with and leverage Cisco products and solutions in cloud environments. This integration allows them to develop applications, automate network configurations. And implement cloud-native solutions that align with Cisco’s ecosystem, strengthening their capacity to manage hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

In summary, Cisco DevNet offers cloud professionals numerous advantages, including industry-recognized certifications. Access to learning resources, community support, opportunities for innovation, career advancement, and integration with Cisco technologies. These benefits empower individuals to enhance their skills, stay relevant in the evolving cloud industry, and seize new professional growth and success opportunities.

Top 2 Skills and Certifications before moving to Cloud

Hypervisor Technologies provides the underlying virtualization layer that enables the creation and operations of virtual machines. By abstracting the physical hardware and allocating its resources to multiple virtual environments. It also allows various operating systems and applications to run simultaneously on a single physical server. To make the most efficient use of Hardware resources, the associate level certification of choice is VCTA-DCV, which stands for VMware Certified Technical Associate in Data Center and Virtualization.

This covers installing, configuring and managing a VMware Vsphere infrastructure and focuses heavily on the basics of server/compute, like managing or allocating resources such as memory and CPU. It also focuses on the basic of storage. Next, the mid and professional-level certification of choice is VCP-DCV, which stands for VMware Certified Professional in Data Center and Virtualization. This certification is more popular, and it’s more advanced. They not only talk about the compute and storage. But also talk about and focus heavily on Virtual Networks as well.

Top 1 Skills and Certifications before moving to Cloud

Application delivery controller and Advocate Vision delivery controller, or ADC, is a network component that manages and optimizes the delivery of applications and services to the end-users; it acts as a centralized traffic manager ensuring High availability, security performance and scalability of application traffic. It is also known as an application load balancer. The associated level certification is easy for F5-CA or F5 Certified Big IP administrators. It consists of two exams;

The first one is F5 101, which covers the basics of networking security and introduces many different application types.

The Mid or Professional-levels for the education of choice is F5 CTS. CTS stands for Certified Technology Specialist in LTM and GTM DNS. It’s a bit Overkill if you ask me; F5 CTS in LTM is a more advanced version of F5 CA.
F5 CTS in DNS focuses on the basics of DNS and Global load balancing design for the organization with multiple data center locations.

Is AWS Certification can be good before moving to Cloud?

I sincerely believe you can go directly and take AWS-certified Cloud Practitioner. The entry-level certification of AWS, but the problem is, in my opinion. They don’t discuss the basics of networking, servers, storage, application delivery, controller, etc.

The best way is to know first the basics, and the basics are:
1. server/compute
2. storage
3. networking
4. application delivery
5. controller
6. virtualization and
7. containers.

I hope this makes sense to you. For more information, check the link 591 LABS & 591 CERT.