A Beginner’s Guide to Cloud Sandboxes: Learning and Experimenting with Cloud Computing Without the Risk of Breaking the Bank
As cloud computing continues to become the backbone of the tech industry, mastering these skills can provide a competitive edge in today’s job market and enable businesses to efficiently manage and scale their operations. Most beginners start their cloud journey by signing up for free tiers for the major cloud service providers (AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud/GCP). This is a great way to get started with cloud computing without having to spend any money. However, it’s important to be aware of the free tier limits, as you can easily rack up a large bill if you’re not careful. I am telling this from my own experience.
Like many beginners, I opened up a free account with one of the three major cloud service providers to start my cloud journey. But, despite my best efforts to stay within the free tier limits, I once fell prey to the dreaded “bill shock” when a machine learning project ran amok and left a resource running overnight.
How can you avoid this nightmare scenario? The answer is simple: use a sandbox or a cloud playground. A sandbox or a cloud playground is a safe and isolated environment where you can experiment with cloud services without worrying about costs or security. You can create, test, and delete anything you want without affecting your real account or data. It’s like having your own private cloud lab!
In this post, we’ll explore some of the options available for using a sandbox or cloud playground to learn cloud computing without the risk of accidentally racking up a huge bill. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to get started with these powerful tools and take your cloud computing skills to the next level. So, let’s dive in and explore the following options that provide cloud sandboxes for learning cloud computing:
- AWS Builder Labs
- Google Cloud Skills Boost
- A Cloud Guru
- O’Reilly’s learning platform
- Google Cloud in Coursera
- AWS Builder Labs
AWS Builder Labs offer over 100 self-paced, interactive exercises that provide hands-on experience in the AWS Management Console. These labs are available with an AWS Skill Builder Individual or Team subscription and offer a risk-free, sandbox environment for experimenting with AWS solutions. With step-by-step instructions, users can learn cloud skills at their own pace and on their own schedule. Each lab focuses on a specific topic, allowing users to choose the skills they want to develop and gain practical experience. With AWS Builder Labs, beginners can confidently learn AWS without the fear of unexpected costs.
Price (as of April 2023): $29/month (cancel anytime) or $299/month (pay up front)
2. Google Cloud Skills Boost
Google Cloud Skills Boost is another sandbox option for those looking to learn cloud computing in a safe and cost-effective manner. This program offers free access to various learning resources, including self-paced labs, webinars, and skill badges. Google Cloud Skills Boost is designed to help users develop fundamental cloud skills and explore Google Cloud Platform’s core infrastructure and data analytics capabilities. With this program, you can learn at your own pace and receive hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform’s services without worrying about incurring any costs.
Price (as of April 2023): $29/month (cancel anytime) or $299/month (pay up front)
3. A Cloud Guru
Another option for practicing cloud computing in a sandbox environment is A Cloud Guru’s Cloud Playground. With A Cloud Guru, you can access AWS, GCP, and Azure sandboxes all in one place, which sets it apart from the previous two options. With Cloud Playground, you can spin up cloud sandboxes in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, giving you a safe space to experiment and learn. This platform also offers learning paths for various technologies including Linux, DevOps, Containers, and more.
Price (as of April 2023): Cloud Playground — Sandbox is available in Personal Plus plan which is $47/month or $468/year. Occasionally, they offer time-limited promotions with substantial discounts.
4. O’Reilly
O’Reilly, a well-known publisher of technology books, also offers an Interactive Learning feature on their website that provides sandboxes for Azure, GCP, and AWS. With O’Reilly, you can not only learn about cloud computing but also explore other technologies such as machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity. O’Reilly’s learning platform offers members unlimited access to a vast collection of books, videos, and other content from nearly 200 publishers in various fields such as technology, business, and design.
Price (as of April 2023): $49/month or $129 per three months or $499 per year
5. Coursera
Coursera, a widely famous MOOC site, has Google Cloud as one of its instructors. The Google Cloud courses on Coursera offer labs in the Google Cloud sandbox. Prices for individual courses or specializations on Coursera can vary; however, for the purpose of using the cloud sandbox, I would suggest signing up for Coursera Plus. Coursera Plus provides access to 7,000+ courses and specializations from 170+ leading companies and universities. With a Coursera Plus subscription, you can sign up for GCP courses where you can learn various GCP services and use the sandbox as part of the course.”
Price for Coursera Plus (as of April 2023): $59/month or $399 per year
It is important to note that these are not the only options available for learning cloud computing with sandboxes. There are other platforms and providers that offer similar features. However, the above mentioned options can be a great starting point for those who are new to cloud computing or looking for hands-on experience with different cloud services. Whether you choose AWS Skill Builder, Google Cloud Skills Boost, A Cloud Guru, O’Reilly, or Coursera, the most important thing is to take the initiative and start learning. With the right resources and mindset, anyone can acquire the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the world of cloud computing.
Passionate about cloud computing? Dive deeper with me! Hit ‘Follow’ on Medium for the latest insights. Ready for an exclusive pass? Subscribe to my newsletter Cloudy-with-Chance-of-Computing and level up your cloud game with me!
