42904 Cloud Computing and Software as a Service

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject introduces students to cloud computing fundamentals, case studies and their applications for the development of software as a service in the cloud. Following a brief introduction to cloud computing, the cloud architecture, infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, software as a service (SaaS), virtualisation and multi-tenancy features are explained. The theoretical discussion of these topics is supplemented with practical introductory exercises for SaaS development in the cloud.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject, the student will be able to:

1. Identify key elements of the cloud computing
2. Understand and appreciate the need for cloud computing, and identify their use in industrial applications
3. Analyse the current issues in cloud computing
4. Develop an in-depth understanding of selected parts of the material
5. Communicate in the form of technical reports and presentations
6. Work in a group to achieve a common objective and task
7. Gain practical experience of cloud software application development platform through the development of a workflow application for a case study project
8. Apply the knowledge of the cloud application development platform for the development of e-business systems such as e-government, e-banking, e-logistics, e-learning and e-health

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

This subject builds on the prior knowledge of fundamental computing and software programming principles, and covers (A1) the emerging concepts and technology of Cloud Computing.

The subject contains both conceptual and practical laboratory components (B1), using an available cloud application development platform. It provides introductory knowledge and basic introductory principles to the students on developing systems using an existing development platform (A5, B1, B2, B3, B5). Students will have developed professional communication skills (E1). These will be achieved through reading relevant research articles (B6), writing professional-level reports (D1, E1), and group presentations (D1, E1, E2)

This Subject contributes to the following Graduate Attributes:

A1 Need analysis (Competent); A5 System Thinking (Introduced); B1 Problem solving (Introduced); B2 Design (Introduced); B3. Synthesise (Introduced); B5. Implement and test solutions (Introduced); B6. Research Skills (Developed); D1 Manage Self (Competent); E1 Communicate effectively (Competent); E2. Teams (Competent).

A complete list and description of Graduate Attributes for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology can be found at http://feit.uts.edu.au/faculty/graduate-attributes.html

Content

(1) Cloud computing fundamentals
(2) Cloud architecture model
(3) Infrastructure as a Service - IaaS
(4) Platform as a Service - PaaS
(5) Software as a Service - SaaS
(6) Virtualization and multi-tenancy in cloud computing
(7) Cloud data objects and validations
(8) Cloud application and data security management
(9) Cloud application workflow development

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Research Essay

Assessment Item 2: Software as a Service (SaaS) Development

Assessment Item 3: Report on Software as a Service (SaaS) Development

Assessment Item 4: Presentation

Assessment Item 5: Final Examination

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject you must attain all of the following minimum requirements:

(a) Procure a minimum of 50% in the Assessment Item 1; (and)

(b) Procure a minimum of 50% in the final examination (Assessment Item 5); (and)

(c) Procure a minimum of 50% in the overall subject mark.

If you fail to attain (a) or (b), but attain (c), then your final grade will be set to X (fail).

Recommended texts

All lecture slides and assignment handouts will be made available via UTSOnline (https://online.uts.edu.au/)

The following references are recommended for this unit:

Rhoton, J. (2010), Cloud computing explained, Recursive Press, UK.

Shroff, G. (2010), Enterprise cloud computing: technology, architecture, application, Cambridge University Press, UK.

Choi, P., McGuire, C., and Roth, C. (2011), Force.com Platform Fundamentals: An Introduction to Custom Application Development in the Cloud

Some journal articles, conference papers and other reference material will be either provided in the class or made available via UTSOnline

Other resources

(a) Announcements will be made via UTSOnline (https://online.uts.edu.au/). Students are required to check UTSOnline regularly for any announcements or updates. Please familiarize yourself with the working of UTSOnline.

(b) All lecture slides, assignments, tutorial work plans will be made available via UTSOnline (https://online.uts.edu.au/).

(c) Hard copies of lecture slides will be distributed prior to the start of the lecture (in the lecture room).