Study Hub - Cloud Zero to Hero¶
Your navigation hub for every cloud certification on this site - AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI, IBM, Kubernetes, HashiCorp, Linux, networking and FinOps - plus the Learn pillar for non-cert students: bite-size concepts, a beginner on-ramp, and a structured cloud path.
Welcome. Whether you're new to all this or chasing your fifth cloud cert, this is the entry point.
Browse it as a searchable site - full-text search across every page, which is faster than this index once you know what you are looking for.
Data, security and AI certifications live on the sibling sites: Data · Security · AI Zero to Hero.
Table of Contents¶
- Quick Navigation
- Not chasing a certification?
- Decision Tree: Find Your Cert
- Study Tracks by Career Path
- Certifications by Provider
- Most Popular Certifications
- Study Timeline Estimates
- Resource Library
- Cost Planning
Quick Navigation¶
| I Want To... | Go To... |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Start from absolute zero (terminal, git, HTTP) | Day One |
| 💡 Look up a concept (VPC, DNS, containers, Kubernetes) | Concepts |
| 🗂️ Browse by topic across pillars | Topic indexes |
| 🎓 Learn cloud without an exam | Cloud from Scratch |
| 🆕 Start my cloud cert journey | Beginner Fundamentals |
| 🎯 Choose the right cert | Decision Tree |
| 🚀 Follow a career path | Study Tracks |
| ☸️ Specialize in Kubernetes | Kubernetes Track |
| 💰 Specialize in FinOps | FinOps Track |
| 🌐 Specialize in networking | Networking Track |
| 📚 Browse all materials | Resource Library |
| 📅 Per-cert last-verified dates | Freshness ledger |
| 🧪 Find the lab for my cert | Labs by certification |
| 🃏 Flashcards for a cert | flashcards.csv in each cert dir (Anki-importable) |
| 🔒 Security, 📊 data or 🤖 AI certs | Security · Data · AI Zero to Hero |
Not chasing a certification?¶
The Learn pillar is for everyone who wants to understand cloud without an exam date:
- Day One - terminal, git, HTTP, servers. Strict beginner on-ramp.
- Concepts - bite-size pages (5-10 min each) on cloud primitives.
- Cloud from Scratch - a structured 8-phase path.
- Glossary - the vocabulary in plain English.
- YouTube curation - filtered videos worth your time.
Come back when you decide to certify. Many do, after using the Learn pillar to figure out which direction.
Decision Tree: Find Your Cert¶
What's your starting point?
│
├─ New to IT
│ └─> CompTIA A+ → Network+ | Linux Foundation LFCA
│
├─ New to cloud (0-6 months)
│ └─> AWS Cloud Practitioner | Azure AZ-900 | GCP Cloud Digital Leader | OCI Foundations | IBM Cloud Advocate
│
├─ Have some cloud experience (6-18 months)
│ ├─ Want infrastructure focus → AWS SAA-C03 | Azure AZ-104 | GCP Associate Cloud Engineer | OCI Architect Associate
│ ├─ Want development focus → AWS DVA-C02 | GCP Cloud Developer | OCI Developer Associate
│ └─ Want operations focus → AWS CloudOps SOA-C03 | Azure AZ-104 | OCI Operations Associate | RHCSA
│
├─ Senior practitioner (18+ months)
│ ├─ Architecture → AWS SAP-C02 | Azure AZ-305 | GCP Cloud Architect | OCI Architect Professional
│ ├─ DevOps → AWS DOP-C02 | Azure AZ-400 | GCP Cloud DevOps Engineer
│ └─ Specialty → AWS Advanced Networking | AWS SAP on AWS | AWS Quantum | OpenShift EX280
│
└─ Cross-cutting specializations
├─ Kubernetes → KCNA → CKA → CKAD → ICA (Istio) | OpenShift EX280
├─ Cloud native → CAPA (Argo) | CGOA (GitOps) | CCA (Cilium) | PCA (Prometheus) | OTCA (OpenTelemetry) | CNPA
├─ Terraform/IaC → Terraform Associate → Terraform Authoring & Operations Pro | Packer | Nomad
├─ Networking → Network+ → CCNA → CCNP ENCOR | AWS Adv Networking | GCP Cloud Network Engineer | AZ-700
├─ Linux / Platform → LFCS | RHCSA → OpenShift EX280
├─ CI/CD → GitHub Foundations → GitHub Actions → GitHub Administration
└─ FinOps → FinOps Practitioner → Engineer/Analyst → Professional
Heading toward security, data or AI? The decision trees for those live on the Security, Data and AI sites.
Study Tracks by Career Path¶
Cloud Architect Track¶
Foundations → Associate → Professional 1. AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure AZ-900 or GCP Cloud Digital Leader 2. AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) or Azure AZ-104 or GCP Associate Cloud Engineer 3. AWS Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C02) or Azure AZ-305 or GCP Cloud Architect 4. Multi-cloud add-on: Terraform Associate, Kubernetes CKA
DevOps / SRE Track¶
- Foundational cloud cert in your primary cloud
- AWS DVA-C02 or GCP Cloud Developer or AWS CloudOps SOA-C03
- AWS DOP-C02 or Azure AZ-400 or GCP Cloud DevOps Engineer
- Specialization: Kubernetes CKA → CKAD, Terraform Associate, Prometheus PCA, OpenTelemetry OTCA, IBM Cloud SRE
Kubernetes Track ¶
- KCNA (Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate)
- CKA (Administrator)
- CKAD (Application Developer)
- OpenShift Administrator (EX280) for Red Hat-specific path
- Specialization: PCA (Prometheus), ICA (Istio), CCA (Cilium), CAPA (Argo), CGOA (GitOps)
FinOps Track ¶
- FinOps Certified Practitioner
- FinOps Certified Engineer or FinOps Certified Analyst
- FinOps Certified Professional (advanced, FOCUS-aware)
- Cloud-specific: AWS Cost optimization, Azure Cost Management, GCP billing
Platform Engineering Track¶
- Linux Foundation LFCS or RHCSA or CompTIA Cloud+
- Cloud associate cert (your primary cloud)
- Kubernetes CKA + HashiCorp Terraform Associate (or OpenShift EX280 for Red Hat shops)
- GitHub Actions + Administration certifications
- Add: Cloud Native Platform Engineering Associate (CNPA), Nomad Associate, Packer Associate
Networking Track ¶
- CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) - vendor-neutral networking foundation
- Cisco CCNA (200-301) - routing and switching
- AWS Advanced Networking Specialty or GCP Cloud Network Engineer or Azure AZ-700 (cloud-side)
- CCNP Enterprise (350-401 ENCOR) for advanced Cisco networking
Tracks on the sibling sites¶
- Security (Security+, cloud security specialties, CCSP, CISSP) - Security Zero to Hero
- Data engineering (AWS DEA-C01, Databricks, Snowflake, Kafka, MongoDB) - Data Zero to Hero
- AI/ML and generative AI (AWS AI and ML certs, Azure AI, NVIDIA, Anthropic Claude) - AI Zero to Hero
Certifications by Provider¶
| Provider | Certs | Highlights | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS | 10 | CLF-C02, SAA-C03, SOA-C03, DVA-C02, SAP-C02, DOP-C02, Advanced Networking (ANS-C01), SAP on AWS (PAS-C01), Quantum (QPC-C01); retired SOA-C02 retained | exams/aws/ |
| Azure | 10 | AZ-900/104/204/305/400/700, MS-900, PL-100/200/900 | exams/azure/ |
| GCP | 7 | Digital Leader, Associate Cloud Engineer, Cloud Architect, Cloud Developer, DevOps, Network Engineer, Workspace Admin | exams/gcp/ |
| Kubernetes/CNCF | 10 | KCNA, CKA, CKAD, plus Argo (CAPA), Cilium (CCA), GitOps (CGOA), Istio (ICA), OpenTelemetry (OTCA), Prometheus (PCA), Platform Engineering (CNPA) | exams/kubernetes/ |
| HashiCorp | 5 | Terraform Assoc + Pro, Consul, Packer, Nomad | exams/hashicorp/ |
| GitHub | 3 | Foundations, Actions, Administration | exams/github/ |
| Red Hat | 2 | RHCSA (EX200), OpenShift Administrator (EX280) | exams/redhat/ |
| Cisco | 2 | CCNA (200-301), CCNP Enterprise ENCOR (350-401) | exams/cisco/ |
| Salesforce | 3 | Administrator, Platform Developer I, Platform Developer II | exams/salesforce/ |
| FinOps Foundation | 4 | Practitioner, Engineer, Analyst, Professional | exams/finops/ |
| CompTIA | 3 | A+ (220-1201/1202), Cloud+ (CV0-004), Network+ (N10-009) | exams/comptia/ |
| Linux Foundation | 2 | LFCS, LFCA | exams/linux-foundation/ |
| Oracle Cloud (OCI) | 5 | OCI Foundations, Architect Assoc + Pro, Developer Assoc, Operations Assoc | exams/oracle/ |
| IBM Cloud | 4 | Advocate, Developer, Solution Architect, SRE | exams/ibm/ |
| ServiceNow | 1 | Certified System Administrator | exams/servicenow/ |
| VMware | 1 | VCP-DCV (2V0-21.23) | exams/vmware/ |
| CERTIFICATIONS TOTAL | 72 | across 16 providers |
◇ = outline stage: README, fact-sheet, and practice plan are written; topic notes are outlined but not yet drafted. See TODO.md for the drafting queue.
Most Popular Certifications¶
Top picks based on industry demand and salary impact:
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) - the gateway AWS cert
- Azure Administrator (AZ-104) - core Azure operations
- GCP Associate Cloud Engineer - foundational GCP
- CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) - Kubernetes ops
- Terraform Associate - IaC standard
- AWS Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C02) - senior architect
- Azure DevOps Engineer (AZ-400) - Azure expert DevOps
- AWS DevOps Engineer Professional (DOP-C02) - senior AWS DevOps
- FinOps Certified Practitioner - cloud cost discipline
- Cisco CCNA (200-301) - foundational networking
- Red Hat RHCSA (EX200) - Linux administration foundation
Study Timeline Estimates¶
| Cert Tier | Typical Prep Time | Daily Study | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 hr | CLF-C02, AZ-900, GCP Digital Leader, KCNA |
| Associate | 6-10 weeks | 2-3 hr | SAA-C03, AZ-104, CKA, RHCSA, Terraform Associate |
| Professional | 10-16 weeks | 2-4 hr | SAP-C02, AZ-305, AZ-400, GCP Cloud Architect |
| Specialty | 8-14 weeks | 2-4 hr | AWS Advanced Networking, SAP on AWS, CCNP ENCOR |
Beginner Fundamentals¶
First-cert path with no cloud background: 1. Pick one provider you'll use most often 2. Take its foundational cert (4 weeks of evenings) 3. Build a small free-tier project 4. Decide on Associate-level direction
Resource Library¶
Service Comparisons (cross-cloud)¶
Compute · Storage · Networking · Containers/K8s · DevOps/CI/CD · Observability · Serverless
On the sibling sites: Databases · Messaging · Security tools · Identity/IAM · Cloud AI/ML services
CLI Cheat Sheets¶
AWS · Azure · GCP · Multi-cloud · kubectl · Terraform · Docker · Helm · GitHub CLI
Architecture Patterns¶
Multi-cloud patterns covering 3-tier apps, serverless, microservices, event-driven, disaster recovery, multi-region active-active, cell-based, chaos engineering, hybrid cloud and more. Browse all
Career Roadmaps¶
Cloud Engineer · Solutions Architect · DevOps/SRE · Multi-Cloud · Kubernetes Specialist · Platform Engineer · FinOps
On the sibling sites: Data Engineer · Database Specialist · Security Engineer · AI Engineer
Deep-Dive Guides¶
- Migration: On-prem to AWS/Azure/GCP, cloud-to-cloud - resources/migration-guides/
- Well-Architected: AWS, Azure, GCP frameworks - resources/well-architected/
- Cost Optimization: Per-cloud playbooks + FinOps principles - resources/cost-optimization/
- Troubleshooting: AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes - resources/troubleshooting/
- Networking Deep Dives: Hybrid connectivity, multi-cloud, DNS, load balancing - resources/networking-deep-dives/
- Hands-on Projects: 3-tier app, CI/CD, monitoring, Kubernetes cluster, Terraform infra, serverless, DR drill - resources/hands-on-projects/
- Interview Prep: Solutions Architect, DevOps, Cloud Engineer, SRE - resources/interview-prep/
- Compliance (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, FedRAMP) - on the Security site
Practice & Strategy¶
- Practice Question Banks - scenario questions with explained answers, one bank per certification
- Practice Resources Guide
- Free Tier Guides
- Study Strategies
- Exam Day Checklist
- Budget Study Plan
- Community Resources
Cost Planning¶
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| All study materials in this repo | Free |
| Official documentation | Free |
| Free tier sandbox accounts | Free |
| Video course (optional) | $15-50 |
| Third-party practice tests (optional) | $15-30 |
| Exam fee (per cert) | $100-700 |
| Total per Associate cert | $150-300 |
| Total per Professional cert | $300-500 |
See the budget study plan for detailed cost-minimization strategies.
Community¶
- Reddit: r/AWSCertifications, r/AZURE, r/googlecloud, r/kubernetes, r/devops, r/sre
- Discord: Cloud certification study servers (links in community-resources.md)
- LinkedIn: Search for "[Cert name] Study Group"
- GitHub: Star this repo and watch for updates
How to Use This Hub¶
- Start at Decision Tree to identify your cert
- Open that cert's directory:
exams/<provider>/<cert>/ - Read in order:
README.md→fact-sheet.md→practice-plan.md→notes/→scenarios.md→strategy.md - Cross-reference with Resource Library for cross-cloud knowledge
- Take practice exams when consistently scoring 80%+ on practice questions
- Schedule the real exam when you hit 85%+ twice in a row
Ready to start? Browse the AWS catalog · Browse Azure · Browse GCP · Browse Kubernetes
Maintained by Patrick Wiloak - Star this repo if it helps you pass.