Understanding the Roles in Cloud Computing
The world is getting more involved in several cutting-edge technologies and I think the Cloud is one of the most interesting. Cloud Computing in its entirety has several roles and sections that make the space most profitable. The job is quite easy when the roles are understood and could offer special career paths for any interested developer or engineer hoping to be part of the cloud computing learning process.
There are several roles in cloud engineering regarding computing but majorly there are three; Cloud Architect, Cloud Developers and Cloud Engineers. Each of these roles could evolve to other sub-roles and administrative functions.
Cloud Architect
This is one of the most lucrative aspects of cloud computing space as this role allows the holder to structure the architecture of the applications or company’s products. The metrics that help the architect decide how the structure will be implemented include the number of users, privileges needed, type of products, data components, deployment patterns amongst many others.
While structuring the architecture, the process involves all the product managers, application developers and any other role involved in building the product so every role is catered for in the diagram that shows what is to be done for the successful application migration to the cloud. In some organizations, a degree in CS may not be required but in detail, any cloud architect must have experience building product architecture in a way that the developers and engineers will implement without hassles.
Cloud Developers
Clod Developers and software engineers specialize in building for the cloud and many times do the bidding of the architect most of the time. It is expedient that the cloud developers understand cloud systems and how they respond to code and backend languages like Golang, Node.js and others. They also help in deploying applications with very low downtime.
As soon as the migration to the cloud has been completed, the developers are tasked with maintenance and monitoring regarding the product responses to the cloud architecture, infrastructure and structure. Apart from back-end applications, many cloud developers build full-stack applications, data integration and other deployment tasks. In terms of skills and learning paths, cloud developers work with backups, storage, Platform as a Service (PAAS), microservices, full-stack languages and Software as a Service (SAAS).
Cloud Engineer
This role is more or less in conjunction with the architect as this role demands planning, design and of course building of web services for the cloud. Some of the languages used in this role include Python, Java Bash, and some other scripting languages. Right after, the architect has done the structuring, the engineer assesses before the migration is confirmed to have a better business solution for the products and most importantly lookout for cost optimizations.
There are some other interesting roles like DevOps, System administrators and solutions architect where some interesting jobs are being done as regards the cloud. The world is getting more inclined to the cloud as many companies will be a data company in the coming years — after all, every product needs proper security and networking with proper data processing which is most affordable only through the cloud with platforms like Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS).
In getting ready for these roles, any interested party should get certifications in any of the cloud services, understand application architectures, databases, Linux and definitely application migration processes.
In conclusion, while in some organizations, a person could function in the three roles, some other organizations ensure there are special persons assigned to each role to ensure better outputs and integrations — but definitely, it’s good to be acquainted with the several roles.
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