**Course Title:** Cloud Platforms: Foundations and Applications **Section Title:** Introduction to Cloud Computing **Topic:** Set up a cloud account (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and explore the management console.(Lab topic) **Objective:** By the end of this lab, you will be able to set up a cloud account on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and navigate the management console to explore its features and services. **Step 1: Create a Cloud Account** To get started, you need to create a cloud account on one of the three major cloud service providers: AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Here are the steps to create an account on each platform: * **AWS:** Go to [https://aws.amazon.com/](https://aws.amazon.com/), click on "Create an AWS account," and follow the prompts to sign up for a free tier account. For more information on AWS free tier, visit [https://aws.amazon.com/free](https://aws.amazon.com/free). * **Azure:** Navigate to [https://azure.microsoft.com/](https://azure.microsoft.com/), click on "Get started today," and sign up for a free trial account. For more information on Azure free trial, visit [https://azure.microsoft.com/free/](https://azure.microsoft.com/free/). * **Google Cloud:** Go to [https://cloud.google.com/](https://cloud.google.com/), click on "Get started," and sign up for a free trial account. For more information on Google Cloud free trial, visit [https://cloud.google.com/free](https://cloud.google.com/free). **Step 2: Verify Your Account** Once you've created an account, you need to verify your email address and set up a secure password to access the management console. **Step 3: Explore the Management Console** The management console is the central hub for managing your cloud resources and services. Here's an overview of the features and services you can expect to find on each platform: * **AWS Management Console:** The AWS Management Console is a web-based user interface that allows you to manage your AWS resources, such as EC2 instances, S3 buckets, and VPCs. You can access the AWS Management Console by going to [https://console.aws.amazon.com/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/). * **Azure Portal:** The Azure portal is a unified console that provides access to all your Azure resources, including virtual machines, storage accounts, and networks. You can access the Azure portal by going to [https://portal.azure.com/](https://portal.azure.com/). * **Google Cloud Console:** The Google Cloud Console is a web-based user interface that allows you to manage your Google Cloud resources, such as Compute Engine instances, Storage buckets, and Bigtable databases. You can access the Google Cloud Console by going to [https://console.cloud.google.com/](https://console.cloud.google.com/). **Lab Exercise:** Complete the following tasks to get familiar with the management console: * Create a new EC2 instance on AWS, a new virtual machine on Azure, or a new Compute Engine instance on Google Cloud. * Create a new S3 bucket on AWS, a new storage account on Azure, or a new Storage bucket on Google Cloud. * Explore the security features of the management console, such as IAM on AWS, Azure Active Directory, or Google Cloud Identity and Access Management. **Tips and Best Practices:** * Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to secure your cloud account. * Familiarize yourself with the management console's navigation and features to streamline your workflow. * Use cloud resources and services judiciously to avoid unnecessary costs. **Conclusion:** In this lab, you have successfully set up a cloud account and explored the management console on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. You can now manage your cloud resources and services efficiently, ensuring maximum productivity and cost-effectiveness. Do you have any questions or need help with this lab? Leave a comment below to ask for assistance.