Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: INTE5052C

Course Title: Implement cloud infrastructure with code

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209. 

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 

 

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

School: 520T Future Technologies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5402 - Diploma of Information Technology

Course Contact: Tanya Unterberger

Course Contact Phone: +61399254448

Course Contact Email: tanya.unterberger@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

NIL

Course Description

In this course you will gain the the skills and knowledge required to create and implement cloud infrastructure as code using cloud platform templates. This includes creating templates, then using the templates to create and update cloud infrastructure.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTCLD505 Implement cloud infrastructure with code

Element:

1. Prepare to update cloud infrastructure as code

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify and review benefits of infrastructure as code according to business needs 1.2 Determine ways automation leverages cloud platforms according to business needs 1.3 Determine and assess potential issues and errors when implementing infrastructure as code 1.4 Evaluate and select infrastructure as code service compatible with selected cloud platform and business requirements

Element:

2. Deploy cloud infrastructure as code templates

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Learn template syntax of selected cloud infrastructure as code service2.2 Review pre-defined templates and determine what resources they create and any dependencies2.3 Utilise the cloud infrastructure as code service tools to deploy, update and delete resources using predefined templates as required2.4 Confirm deployments of cloud resources and configure resources using cloud platform console or command line tools2.5 Remove deployed resources using cloud infrastructure as code tools and delete templates as required2.6 Test and troubleshoot template errors as required

Element:

3. Develop and update infrastructure as code templates

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Learn template syntax of selected cloud infrastructure as code service3.2 Create and deploy template to provision a set of related cloud resources according to business needs3.3 Update and redeploy template to modify previously deployed resources and add new resources3.4 Confirm deployment of cloud resources and configure resources using the cloud platform console or command line tools3.5 Parameterise and deploy template to reuse configuration with a modified resource configuration3.6 Remove deployed resources using cloud infrastructure as code tools and delete templates as required3.7 Test and troubleshoot template errors

Element:

4. Finalise cloud infrastructure as code

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Create user documentation including cloud infrastructure as code templates4.2 Obtain final sign off from required personnel

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

This may include self-paced and collaborative classroom activities such as:  

  • Class exercises
  • Challenges
  • Problem solving
  • Project work
  • Quizzes  

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities as each week builds on the next. 


Teaching Schedule

WeekDateTopic Learning activitiesAssessment Remarks
Week 1 15-21 July Introduction to Infrastructure as Code - IaC

Introduction to the course

How to use AWS Canvas

How to complete lab exercises

Pathway to certification

Understanding IaC concepts and options,  AWS stacks, CLI, SDK, CloudFormation

Downloading required software – PUTTY, Visual Studio Code or similar

 Assessment 1 overview
Week 2 22-28 July Introduction to JSON 

Understanding JSON

JSON syntax

JSON datatypes

JSON arrays

JSON objects

JSON validation 

  
Week 3 29 July - 4 August Introduction to YAML

Understanding YAML

YAML syntax

YAML datatypes

YAML arrays

YAML objects

YAML validation 

Converting YAML to JSON

  
Week 4 5-11 August AWS Identity and Access Management 

What is IAM?

Understanding how IAM works

Roles and permissions

Best practices

Administering IAM

IAM and CloudFormation

  
Week 5 12-18 August Introduction to Computing in AWS - EC2

Amazon EC2 Virtualizaion

Security Groups and Profiles

EC2 Autoscaling

Securing EC2 instances

Creating EC2 instances

  
Week 6 19-25 August Introduction to Networking and Storage

Amazon VPC Components

VPC connectivity options

VPC templates

S3 buckets

Elastic Block Store

Templates for S3

  
Week 7 26 August - 1 September Introduction to CloudFormation

Benefits of infrastructure as code according to the business needs

How automation leverages cloud platforms according to business needs

Techniques, methods and industry standard metrics used

Potential issues and errors when implementing infrastructure as code

Cloud automation tools

Provisioning infrastructure layers

Securing infrastructure deployment, storing sensitive data

  
2-8 September Mid-semester break  
Week 8 9-15 September Template anatomy 

Attributes of an AWS CloudFormation template

Template parameters

How software development cycle relates to AWS CloudFormation template development

Basic steps for building and deploying a CloudFormation project

  
Week 9 16-22 September Automation with CloudFormation Lab - Automation with CloudFormation

Knowledge Quiz 1 is due

In class activities to assist with assessment preparation
Week 10 23-29 September

Demonstrations

User testing

 Testing workshop and demonstrations

Assessment 1 submission

Mandatory class attendance

Testing workshop and demonstrations
Week 11 30 September - 6 October Configuring the AWS CLI

AWS CLI basics

Configuring AWS CLI

AWS CLI and CloudFormation

Assessment 2 overview

Solution technical requirements
Week 12 7-13 October Troubleshoot CloudFormation Lab - Troubleshoot CloudFormation  
Week 13 14-20 October Version control, CI/CD pipes

Git, CodeCommit, CodePipeline

Lab - Automating Infrastructure Deployment

  
Week 14 21-27 October Preparation for Assessment 2 Lab - Automating Infrastructure Deployment (cont.)

Knowledge Quiz2 is due

In class activities to assist with assessment preparation
Week 15 28 October - 3 November In class - Project Demonstrations Testing workshop and demonstrations

Assessment 2 submission

Mandatory class attendance

Testing workshop and project demonstrations
Week 16-17 4-17 November  Re-submit if required  Re-submit if required

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You will need laptop with charger for each class

  • Windows laptops we do recommend an i5 or better machine with a minimum 4 GB of RAM.
  • Macs you will need 8 GB of RAM to run a virtual machine

You may also refer to various media, websites, textbooks and e-books as indicated in Canvas such as

  • USB or external hard drive for backup
  • Text editor such as Visual Studio Code
  • PuTTY SSH and telnet client for Windows users


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

Overview of Assessments

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and to:

  • deploy, update and remove cloud infrastructure using cloud platform templates
  • create, run and update at least one own template required to deploy and modify cloud infrastructure.

 

In the course of the above, the candidate must:

  • use cloud management console, cloud software development kits or command line tools
  • create user documentation.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

  • industry technology standards used in cloud computing solutions and services
  • industry standard hardware and software products, their general features, capabilities and application, including storage technology
  • benefits of deploying infrastructure as code compared to manual provisioning in a console
  • different infrastructure as code services that can be used on a cloud platform
  • syntax of selected infrastructure as code service templates
  • tooling required to execute cloud infrastructure templates
  • testing and debugging techniques, including common issues and errors relating to deploying cloud infrastructure as code
  • parameterisation of templates to support configuration and code reuse
  • industry standard practices to define infrastructure as code
  • uses and methods to create, manage, provision and update cloud resources and templates
  • techniques, methods and industry standard metrics used to leverage cloud platform capabilities and deploy and manage templates.

Assessment Conditions

Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.

This includes access to:

  • cloud vendor service provider
  • cloud vendor or 3rd party infrastructure as code service
  • specific requirements and industry standards, organisational procedures and legislative requirements, including business and functionality requirements, as required
  • information and data sources required to design and implement cloud infrastructure
  • integrated development environment (IDE)
  • internet and web browser
  • secure shell (SSH) or remote desktop protocol (RDP) client to connect to cloud-hosted instances
  • cloud management console, cloud software development kit or command line tools.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.  

Assessment Tasks

You will have two assessment tasks.

Practical Assessment Task 1

Summary and Purpose of Assessment

The purpose of this practical assessment is to assess your ability to deploy and edit cloud infrastructure as code templates.

There are 4 parts to this task, you will be required to complete:

Part 1: Prepare to update cloud infrastructure as code

Part 2: Deploy cloud infrastructure as code templates

Part 3: Edit predefined template

Part 4: Stack deletion

Practical Assessment Task 2

Summary and Purpose of Assessment

The purpose of this practical assessment is to assess your ability to create and implement cloud infrastructure as code using cloud platform templates.

There are 2 parts to this task, you will be required to complete:

Part 1: Develop and update infrastructure as code templates

Part 2: Finalise cloud infrastructure as code

For a given client brief, you will build, deploy and edit a CloudFormation project using the AWS CLI.


Assessment Matrix

Element

Performance criteria

Assessment

Task 1: Practical

Assessment

Task 2: Practical

1. Prepare to update cloud infrastructure as code

1.1 Identify and review benefits of infrastructure as code according to business needs

 

Part 1

 

1.2 Determine ways automation leverages cloud platforms according to business needs

 

Part 1

 

1.3 Determine and assess potential issues and errors when implementing infrastructure as code

 

Part 1

 

1.4 Evaluate and select infrastructure as code service compatible with selected cloud platform and business requirements

 

Part 1

 

2. Deploy cloud infrastructure as code templates

2.1 Learn template syntax of selected cloud infrastructure as code service

 

Part 2, Part 3

Part 1, Q4

2.2 Review pre-defined templates and determine what resources they create and any dependencies

 

Part 2

 

2.3 Utilise the cloud infrastructure as code service tools to deploy, update and delete resources using predefined templates as required

 

Part 2

 

2.4 Confirm deployments of cloud resources and configure resources using cloud platform console or command line tools

 

Part 2, Part 3

Part 1, Q4

2.5 Remove deployed resources using cloud infrastructure as code tools and delete templates as required

 

Part 4

 

2.6 Test and troubleshoot template errors as required

 

 

 

 

Part 3

Part 1, Q3

3. Develop and update infrastructure as code templates

3.1 Learn template syntax of selected cloud infrastructure as code service

 

Part 2, Part 3

Part 1, Q4

3.2 Create and deploy template to provision a set of related cloud resources according to business needs

 

 

Part 1, Q1, Q3, Q4

3.3 Update and redeploy template to modify previously deployed resources and add new resources

 

 

Part 1

3.4 Confirm deployment of cloud resources and configure resources using the cloud platform console or command line tools

 

 

Part 1, Q3, Q4

3.5 Parameterise and deploy template to reuse configuration with a modified resource configuration

 

 

Part 1, Q2

3.6 Remove deployed resources using cloud infrastructure as code tools and delete templates as required

 

Part 4

 

3.7 Test and troubleshoot template errors

 

 

Part 1, Q3

4. Finalise cloud infrastructure as code

 

4.1 Create user documentation including cloud infrastructure as code templates

 

 

Part 2

4.2 Obtain final sign off from required personnel

 

 

Part 2

 

 

 

Foundation Skills – This section is only completed when foundation are explicitly stated in the unit of competency. In most Training Packages the foundation skills are integrated into the unit of competency and this is clearly stated.

Foundation skill

Description

 

Describe how each foundation skill is demonstrated through the relevant assessment

Oral communication

 
  • Uses listening and questioning techniques to confirm requirements and articulate complex concepts and matters using relevant industry for intended audience

 

Oral communication demonstrated in:

  • AT2 Students consult with the client to confirm the requirements of the client brief.

Reading

 
  • Interprets complex technical and operational documentation to determine and confirm job requirements

 

Reading demonstrated in:

  • AT2 Students review a client brief, detailing the scope and objectives of the project.

 

Writing

 
  • Prepares user documentation detailing developed cloud infrastructure in a logical manner using required syntax and language

 

Writing demonstrated in:

  • AT1 Conducting research and responding to theoretical questions on IaC.
  • AT2 Students prepare user documentation

Problem solving

 
  • Uses a mix of intuitive and formal processes to identify key information and issues, evaluates alternative strategies, anticipates consequences and considers implementation issues and contingencies
  • Uses knowledge of context to address common problems in cloud computing applications and cloud-based environments

 

 

Problem solving demonstrated in:

  • AT1 Testing and troubleshooting template errors.
  • AT2 Creating template required to deploy and modify cloud infrastructure.
  • AT2 Testing and troubleshooting template errors.

 

Self-management

 
  • Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of principles, concepts, language and practices associated with cloud computing and the digital world and uses them to troubleshoot and understand the uses and potential of new technology

 

Self-management demonstrated in:

  • AT1 Testing and troubleshooting template errors.
  • AT2 Creating template required to deploy and modify cloud infrastructure.
  • AT2 Testing and troubleshooting template errors.

 

 

 

 

Performance Evidence 

 

 

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and to:

Assessment

Task 1: Practical

Assessment

Task 2: Practical
  • Deploy, update and remove cloud infrastructure using cloud platform templates

 

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Part 1
  • Create, run and update at least one own template required to deploy and modify cloud infrastructure.

 

 

Part 1
  • Use cloud management console, cloud software development kits or command line tools

 

Part 2, Part 3

Part 1
  • Create user documentation.

 

 

Part 2

 

Knowledge Evidence 

 

 

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

Assessment

Task 1: Practical

Assessment

Task 2: Practical

Industry technology standards used in cloud computing solutions and services

 

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Part 1, Part 2, Q2, Q3, Q4

Industry standard hardware and software products, their general features, capabilities and application, including storage technology

 

 

Part 1, Part 2, Q1, Q2, Q5, Q6

Benefits of deploying infrastructure as code compared to manual provisioning in a console

 

Part 1

 

Different infrastructure as code services that can be used on a cloud platform

 

Part 1

Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4

Syntax of selected infrastructure as code service templates

 

Part 1, Part 3

Part 1, Q3

Tooling required to execute cloud infrastructure templates

 

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Part 1, Q4

Testing and debugging techniques, including common issues and errors relating to deploying cloud infrastructure as code

 

Part 3

Part 1, Q3

Parameterisation of templates to support configuration and code reuse

 

 

Part 1, Part 2, Q2

Industry standard practices to define infrastructure as code

 

Part 1, Part 2, part 3

Part 1, Part 2, Q3

Uses and methods to create, manage, provision and update cloud resources and templates

 

Part 1

Part 1, Part 2, Q3, Q4

Techniques, methods and industry standard metrics used to leverage cloud platform capabilities and deploy and manage templates.

 

Part 1

 

Other Information

GENERAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. 
Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks.

For submissions you have to read, understand and agree to the content and expectations of the Assessment declaration.

Late Submission Procedures

  • You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance-based assessment is completed by the due dates.
    Submit your assessment by the due date as any further submission will close unless extension or special consideration is granted
  • Apply for an extension of ONE WEEK
  • You will be given ONE more opportunity to RESUBMIT the ASSESSMENT TASK
    • This will be open in week 16
    • No further re-submission will be available
    • A satisfactory result for all assessments will result in a CA - Competency Achieved for this course.
    • An unsatisfactory result for any assessment will result in a NYC - Not Yet Competent for this course

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