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Session 1: Introduction to the 2021-22 MSU Cloud Computing Fellowship

You don't have to face the clouds alone

Welcome!

The goals of this session are to orient you to this program, set up our technology, introduce ourselves, provide some background on cloud computing, and discuss what all of our expectations are. For this session, like the others, we have some pre-session activities for the week, followed by a meeting Friday, September 3, from 2:00-3:30pm.

Activities:

Please complete the following activities prior to our first synchronous meeting September 3.

Complete a Brief Survey

All 2021-22 participants were sent an introductory email that included a link to a brief survey. preferences and techmology exposure. Please complete this survey prior to our first meeting.

Introduce yourself on Microsoft Teams

You should have all been given access to a Team "MSU ICER Cloud Computing Fellowship" via your NetID.

Confirm Access to Azure Portal

  • Go to https://portal.azure.com.
  • Log in with your MSU netid and password.
  • Ensure you can access the Azure main web "portal."
  • You don't need to (and shouldn't) create any new resources or work with this website; simply confirm you have access. You may see a list of "resources" and will introduce Azure during our first meeting.

If you have any issues, trouble with these activities, or won't be able to attend the introductory meeting, or have any questions at all about your participating in the fellowship, please contact us. Note there will be time for questions and dicussion during our first meeting.

Readings

Meeting: Introductions and program overview.

September 3rd, 2021: Zoom meeting included in introductory email to participants

Introductions

  • Brian O'shea, ICER
  • Danielle Barnes, MSU Analytics and Data Solutions
  • Mahmoud Parvizi, Instructor
    • Past experience & current role
    • Cloud facilitator
    • Participant in first Fellowship cohort
  • Pat Bills, Main Instructor

A video of our introductions is avaialble on the MSU MediaSpace (requires MSU log-in)

Participant Introductions & Discussion

  • Introductions
  • Research synopsis, Research Methods skills (non-IT)
  • Current research computing hurdles, roadblocks, challenges & triumphs
  • How will (or has) cloud computing affected your research?
  • Your goals for this fellowship
    • What do you think the cloud is or is good for?
  • Discussion on availability to complete class and projects

Fellowship Program Overview

  • Why and What: 15 minute lecture on broad topics and goals of the course
  • Review our "syllabus"
    • Pre-session materials and activities, "textbook"
    • Session activity
    • Expectations
  • Projects: Mahmoud Parvizi

Lecture: About Cloud Computing

  • Introducing computing vs. research computing vs. HPC vs. cloud computing
    • Learning how to learn about cloud
    • Cloud perceptions vantage points
    • Using workflow computational and computational thinking
  • The interfaces to cloud computing
  • About cloud security
  • Costs and budget overview
  • Acknowledging bias in access to cloud computing across research cultures
  • References:

Additional comments from program organizers

Demonstration: Using the Azure Portal

A quick, live demonstration orienting you to the Azure portal. Our next session activities will include a more thorough workshop on creating cloud computing resources

A more complete tutorial and video of this walk-through is available in Session 2 activities.

Questions and Discussion

  • What things are at the top of your mind as you begin this program?
  • Which of these topics resonates with your previous experience using computing or cloud computing (if any)?