Most frequently Asked IBM Cloud Interview Questions

1. What experience do you have working with IBM Cloud?
2. How familiar are you with the various IBM Cloud services and offerings?
3. Describe your experience managing the delivery of cloud solutions on the IBM Cloud platform.
4. What strategies have you employed to ensure successful migration to the IBM Cloud platform?
5. What challenges have you faced in developing applications on the IBM Cloud?
6. Have you led or been a part of any initiatives that leverage the potential of the IBM Cloud?
7. How do you troubleshoot issues with IBM Cloud services and applications?
8. What security measures have you implemented on the IBM Cloud platform?
9. How do you monitor and manage resources used by applications deployed on the IBM Cloud?
10. Describe your experience automating tasks and processes on the IBM Cloud platform.
11. Explain how you would work with other members of a team to develop solutions on the IBM Cloud?
12. How would you explain cloud computing concepts to a non-technical audience?

What experience do you have working with IBM Cloud?

I have extensive experience working with IBM Cloud.
I understand the key concepts behind the cloud, and how to use the basic services to create a cloud computing environment.
I am also proficient in using the IBM cloud CLI, and understand how to manage resources within the IBM cloud environment.
In addition, I am familiar with creating APIs, deploying applications, and managing systems with IBM Cloud.
I can also configure a wide variety of networks and services including load balancing, security, and storage.
Here is a code snippet from a recent project to demonstrate my ability:

```python
import ibm_boto3
from ibm_boto3.authentication import BasicAuthentication

iam_apikey_name = "<IAM API KEY NAME>" 
iam_apikey_value = "<IAM API KEY VALUE>"

resource = ibm_boto3.resource(
    "s3", 
    ibm_api_key_id= iam_apikey_name, 
    ibm_service_instance_id="<IBM SERVICE INSTANCE ID>", 
    ibm_auth_endpoint="<IBM AUTH ENDPOINT>",
    config=Config(signature_version="oauth"),
    endpoint_url= "<ENDPOINT URL>",
    aws_access_key_id= iam_apikey_value,
    aws_secret_access_key= iam_apikey_value
)
```

Using this code snippet, I know how to integrate IBM Cloud services into an application and can deploy cloud-native applications on the IBM Cloud platform.

How familiar are you with the various IBM Cloud services and offerings?

Absolutely! I'm very familiar with IBM Cloud services and offerings - there are a wide range of solutions available, from core cloud infrastructure and platform services to analytics, blockchain, internet of things, and AI.
My understanding of the IBM Cloud services includes the following: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Function as a Service (FaaS), Autoscaling, Database, Storage, Networking, Load Balancing, Security, etc.
For example, to use IaaS, you can use the following code snippet:

```
//Create a VPC 
IBMCloud.createVPC({ 
  name: 'MyVPC', 
  region: 'us-south' 
});
```

Describe your experience managing the delivery of cloud solutions on the IBM Cloud platform.

I have extensive experience managing the delivery of cloud solutions on the IBM Cloud platform.
In my role as a cloud solutions manager, I was responsible for orchestrating and managing the deployment of cloud-based applications in various IBM Cloud environments.
This included architecting and developing custom solutions tailored to the customer requirements, while leveraging existing IBM Cloud services such as Compose, Watson, Text-to-Speech, and more.
I also managed and monitored the system and service performance, ensuring that cloud software and configurations remained compliant with IBM Cloud standards.
To achieve this, I wrote code using Python, Ruby, bash, Java, and other languages to automate the deployment process and integrate with IBM Cloud services.
Additionally, I utilized various tools such as Ansible, Jenkins, and Terraform to maintain, monitor, and secure cloud environments.
Finally, I provided technical support and guidance to customers, educating them on best practices and IBM Cloud capabilities.
I facilitated the onboarding of new customers and maintained user accounts and credentials for each customer.
My experience with the IBM Cloud platform has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the cloud and how to use the IBM Cloud services to deliver amazing customer experiences.

What strategies have you employed to ensure successful migration to the IBM Cloud platform?

To ensure successful migration to the IBM Cloud platform, I first recommend having a plan in place.
This plan should include understanding your current system architecture and how it might need to be adjusted in order to migrate to the IBM Cloud platform.
Additionally, it's important to consider which services and applications you will be migrating and which ones you will need to develop new versions on the cloud.
Finally, it's beneficial to have a strategy for testing your new cloud-based system after you have migrated.
To begin your migration, you will need to create an IBM Cloud account and use the service catalog to select the services you require.
Once the services and applications are selected, you can use development tools such as IBM Cloud DevOps to deploy the code and manage your environment.
The code snippet below shows a simple example of deploying a web application using IBM Cloud DevOps.

```
def deploy_web_app():
    ibmcloud_cmd = 'ibmcloud cf push [application_name]'
    os.system(ibmcloud_cmd)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    deploy_web_app()
```

Once your application is live, you can use monitoring tools to make sure your cloud-based system is running properly and responding correctly.
Finally, you can use automation and CI/CD techniques to help make further migrations easier and faster.

What challenges have you faced in developing applications on the IBM Cloud?

Developing applications on the IBM Cloud can be a challenging task, due to the complexity of the platform and the vast array of its services.
One of the most common challenges is configuring IBM Cloud spaces to suit your application's specific needs.
It takes time to find out which services are best suited for your application, configure the settings correctly, and debug any issues that arise.
Additionally, many IBM Cloud services require advanced knowledge of programming languages such as Java or Node.
js, so it can be difficult to get up and running with a project quickly.
Another challenge is performing cloud scaling.
This involves setting up the resources you need, managing the infrastructure, and ensuring that performance and availability remain optimal as requests increase.
The right configuration varies from application to application, so once again, it can be difficult to determine the best setup without significant experience.
In order to overcome these challenges, it is important to take the time to understand the IBM Cloud platform thoroughly and become familiar with the various services it offers.
Additionally, gaining an understanding of scripting languages and the fundamentals of cloud computing can help make working with the IBM Cloud easier.
Finally, having a code snippet library handy can provide valuable shortcuts when developing applications.

Have you led or been a part of any initiatives that leverage the potential of the IBM Cloud?

Yes, I have been a part of initiatives that leverage the potential of IBM Cloud.
I recently worked on a project where we used IBM Cloud and IBM Watson to provide a predictive analytics tool that gave our customers insights into their data.
We used IBM Cloud to host our data and Watson to crunch the data and provide actionable insights.
Here's a code snippet that demonstrates how we integrated the two services:

// Setting up IBM Cloud
const iamApikey = 'YOUR_API_KEY';
const discovery = new DiscoveryV2({
  iam_apikey: iamApikey,
  url: 'https://gateway.watsonplatform.net/discovery/api'
});

// Setting up Watson
const watson = new Watson({
  iamApikey: iamApikey,
});

// Executing the predictive analytics
watson.runAnalytics(discovery).then(results => {
  // do something with the results
});

How do you troubleshoot issues with IBM Cloud services and applications?

Troubleshooting issues with IBM Cloud services and applications can be a tricky task, but it doesn't have to be.
To help you get started, here are some tips for troubleshooting IBM Cloud services and applications.
First, make sure that the service or application is properly configured and running up-to-date.
If any of the settings related to the service or application are incorrect, it could be causing an issue.
Once you've confirmed that the service or application is set up correctly, check that all the prerequisites for running the service or application are installed and available.
This includes any middleware, databases, or libraries required by the service or application.
Next, narrow down the problem by attempting to replicate the issue in a development or test environment.
This could involve re-creating the service or application in a smaller environment, such as a laptop or workstation.
If able to reproduce the issue in the test environment, you may be able to more easily isolate the cause of the issue.
Now armed with more information about the issue, you can continue troubleshooting by looking at the logs generated by the service or application.
The logs will often contain clues about what has gone wrong.
For example, errors in the log might indicate something went wrong during the initial setup process, or they might provide guidance on the best course of action for fixing the issue.
Finally, if all else fails, it may be necessary to write a script or program to diagnose and fix the issue.
This is often the most time consuming part of troubleshooting, but it can be essential in order to get the service or application running again.
Ultimately, coding is an iterative process and the code should be tweaked until the issue is fixed.
Here's a code snippet that shows the basics of troubleshooting issues with IBM Cloud services and applications:

// Load required libraries
const fs = require("fs");
const ibmCloud = require("ibm-cloud-sdk-core");

// Initialize the service/application
const app = ibmCloud.app;
const service = ibmCloud.service;

// Main function
async function main() {
  // Get the service/application status
  const status = await app.status();

  // Check the status of the service/application
  if (status == "UP") {
    console.log("Service/application is running OK");
  } else {
    // Check the service/application logs for further information
    const log = await fs.readFileSync("/path/to/logs");
    console.log("Logs: " + log);

    // Identify the cause of the issue and attempt to fix it
    // ...
  }
}

// Call main function
main();

What security measures have you implemented on the IBM Cloud platform?

The IBM Cloud platform implements a number of security measures to keep your data safe and secure.
These include access control, identity and access management, encryption, monitoring and logging, vulnerability assessment, role-based access control, and more.
A code snippet that illustrates an example of one of these security measures is provided below.
This snippet demonstrates how to enable role-based access control on the IBM Cloud platform:

// Code Snippet
const { IamAuthenticator } = require('ibm-watson/auth'); 
const IamServices = require('ibm-watson/iam'); 

// Set up the authentication
const authenticator = new IamAuthenticator({
    apikey: '<your_api_key>',
});

// Set up the IAM service
const iamService = new IamServices({
    authenticator: authenticator
});

// Create a role
const myRole = {
    name: "myrole",
    description: "My role description",
    permissions: [
        {
            serviceName: "IBM Cloud Platform",
            resourceType: "instance",
            roles: ["manager"]
        }
    ]
}

// Set up the role
iamService.createRole(myRole).then((res) => {
    // Handle success
}).catch((err) => {
    // Handle errors
});

In summary, the IBM Cloud platform has a wide variety of built-in security measures which are designed to keep your data safe and secure.
From access control, to identity and access management, to encryption, logging and monitoring, to vulnerability assessment, and role-based access control, all of these security measures are designed to protect your data.

How do you monitor and manage resources used by applications deployed on the IBM Cloud?

Monitoring and managing resources used by applications deployed on the IBM Cloud is an important task for any application development project.
The IBM Cloud provides a variety of tools and services that can help you do this efficiently.
One of the most effective tools to use is the IBM Cloud Activity Tracker service, which allows you to monitor the usage of resources across all your IBM Cloud applications.
The service monitors different resource types such as compute, storage, and network usage, and provides detailed metrics for each resource.
You can also use the Activity Tracker's API to retrieve usage data in real-time.
Additionally, the IBM Cloud Platform also provides a comprehensive dashboard and monitoring console that allow you to manage multiple applications deployed on the IBM Cloud.
You can also use code snippets to monitor and manage resources used by applications deployed on the IBM Cloud.
For example, the following snippet can be used to retrieve the total compute usage across all your applications:

```
const ComputeUsage = await ibmcloud.activityTracker.getComputeUsage({}); 
console.log(ComputeUsage); 
```

With the above snippet, you can easily fetch the total compute usage across all applications deployed on the IBM Cloud.
Furthermore, you can also use code snippets to start and stop applications or to create and remove resources associated with those applications.
This makes it easier to manage applications deployed on the IBM Cloud.

Describe your experience automating tasks and processes on the IBM Cloud platform.

I have extensive experience with automating tasks and processes on the IBM Cloud platform.
Using the IBM Cloud platform, I am able to quickly and easily create secure, reliable, and scalable applications that interact with data sources, microservices, and other platforms.
By using a combination of IBM Cloud Services, such as App Connect, Workflow, and Kubernetes, I am able to automate processes, reduce manual labor costs, and accelerate delivery speed.
As an example, I recently automated a process for a customer which manages customer orders, payments, and fulfillment.
By using the IBM Cloud platform, I was able to set up an automated system that leverages IBM App Connect and IBM Workflow to orchestrate various services, including IBM Db2 and IBM Cloudant.
The following excerpt of code is an example of the logic used to trigger the workflow:

//trigger workflow 

request.post({ 
    url: "https://us-south.appconnect.ibmcloud.com/workflows/xyz",
    headers: {
        "Content-Type": "application/json"
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
        "event": {
            "type": "order_created",
            "data": {
                "order_details": { 
                    "order_id": 12345
                }
            }
        }
    })
})

Explain how you would work with other members of a team to develop solutions on the IBM Cloud?

Working with other members of a team to develop solutions on the IBM Cloud requires collaboration, communication, and an understanding of IBM resources.
First, it is important to collaboratively discuss the goals for the project, what are the deliverables, and which platform best fits the needs of the business.
Secondly, communication should be maintained throughout the process to ensure everybody is on the same page.
Finally, the team should research and understand the components of the IBM Cloud that will be used to construct the solution.
Additionally, each team member should have a thorough understanding of the coding language they are using.
A code snippet can be written and integrated to demonstrate functionality or prove concept.
Here is an example in Python:

def connect():
    # Connect to IBM Cloud
    try:
        ibm_cloud_client = ibm_boto3.client('s3',
                    aws_access_key_id=IBM_ACCESS_KEY_ID,
                    aws_secret_access_key=IBM_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY)
    except:
        print("Error connecting to IBM Cloud")

This code snippet will attempt to connect to the IBM Cloud using the provided credentials.
With this and the use of other IBM Cloud resources, teams can develop creative solutions that meet the needs of their business.

How would you explain cloud computing concepts to a non-technical audience?

Cloud computing is a way to access digital data and resources over the internet.
It's an on-demand service that provides scalability and flexibility for businesses and individuals.
With cloud computing, you can access files, applications, and other data anytime and from anywhere.
A great benefit of cloud computing is its cost savings.
You only pay for what you use with no long-term commitments or capital outlays.
Additionally, cloud computing helps you maintain high levels of security, as data is stored and backed up in multiple secure locations.
One of the most popular forms of cloud computing is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
IaaS companies provide software and hardware solutions to customers, such as storage and servers.
This allows users to quickly scale their services without having to worry about purchasing and maintaining hardware.
Here is a code snippet that illustrates how IaaS works:

// Create an instance 
var instance = new IaaS.Instance(type='large', zone='us-east-1'); 

// Connect to the instance
instance.connect(); 

// Store data in the instance
instance.storeData('myData.csv'); 

As you can see, cloud computing provides an efficient and cost-effective way to access data and resources.
With the right provider, you can ensure your data remains secure and your services are always available.