IT Infrastructure & Cloud

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A modern infrastructure typically includes:

• Servers – physical or virtual machines powering applications and services.
   
• Storage subsystems – SAN, NAS, and cloud-based storage solutions.
   
• Networking devices – switches, routers, wireless access points, and structured cabling.
   
• Security appliances – firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and secure remote access solutions.
   

A robust infrastructure also requires comprehensive security planning across physical, network, and cloud environments.

Organisations today can choose to:

• Host in-house servers (on-premises)
   
• Adopt cloud hosting (public/private hosted cloud servers)
   
• Leverage a hybrid model – combining the best of both worlds
   

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
   
• Microsoft Azure
   
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
   
• VMware Cloud
   
• IBM Cloud
   
• Red Hat OpenShift
   
• Rackspace Technology
   
• Adobe Cloud Solutions
   

(Updated to reflect current standards)

Microsoft

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
   
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
   
• Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100)
   

Cisco

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
   
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise)
   
• Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA – still relevant in design contexts)
   

Other Vendors

• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
   
• CompTIA Security+ / Network+ (widely recognised entry-level credentials)
   
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)