Below are recommended official Linux Foundation training courses, organized by the requested focus areas: Cloud Native AI, Observability, and Platform Engineering.

Cloud Native AI#

While specific KubeCon Atlanta talks on Cloud Native AI are not listed, topics such as "Propagating Programming Paradigms – Lifting High Performance Compute Into K8s" indicate a focus on AI/ML workloads in Kubernetes environments. Relevant Linux Foundation training includes:

• AI and Machine Learning on Kubernetes (LFS211)

  • Learn how to deploy, manage, and scale AI/ML workloads using Kubernetes, including best practices for resource management and workflow orchestration.
  • Course link

• Kubernetes for Developers (LFD259)

  • Covers the fundamentals of Kubernetes, including deploying and managing containerized applications, which is foundational for running AI/ML workloads.
  • Course link

Observability#

Talks such as "Observability for You and Me with OpenTelemetry" and sessions on service mesh reliability highlight the importance of observability in cloud native environments. Recommended Linux Foundation training includes:

• Cloud Native Observability with Prometheus (LFS241)

  • Teaches monitoring and alerting using Prometheus, a leading CNCF project for observability in Kubernetes environments.
  • Course link

• Introduction to Observability with OpenTelemetry (LFS254)

  • Focuses on distributed tracing, metrics, and logging using OpenTelemetry, which is directly relevant to modern observability practices.
  • Course link

Platform Engineering#

Sessions such as "Application-driven infrastructure with Crossplane", "Beyond the Magic: Disaster Recovery Strategies in Crossplane and GitOps", and "Pipelines in cloud-native ecosystem, GitOps and beyond" reflect the growing emphasis on platform engineering and GitOps. Relevant Linux Foundation training includes:

• Kubernetes Administration (LFS458)

  • Provides in-depth knowledge of administering Kubernetes clusters, a core skill for platform engineers.
  • Course link

• GitOps: Continuous Delivery on Kubernetes with Flux (LFS269)

  • Covers GitOps principles and practices using Flux, enabling automated and reliable platform operations.
  • Course link

• Managing Kubernetes Applications with Helm (LFS244)

  • Focuses on Helm, the package manager for Kubernetes, which is essential for platform engineers managing complex deployments.
  • Course link

Security#

Security remains one of the most popular and critical topics across CNCF and KubeCon events. Training opportunities include:

• Kubernetes Security Essentials (LFS260)

  • Covers core security concepts for Kubernetes, including authentication, authorization, admission control, network policies, and secrets management.
  • Course link

• Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)

  • Prepares for the CKS exam, focusing on securing container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during build, deployment, and runtime.
  • Course link

Service Mesh#

Service mesh technologies are widely adopted for managing microservices communication, security, and observability.

• Introduction to Service Mesh with Linkerd (LFS143)

  • Provides foundational knowledge of service mesh concepts and hands-on experience with Linkerd, a CNCF graduated project.
  • Course link

• Service Mesh Fundamentals (LFS243)

  • Explores service mesh architecture, deployment patterns, and operational best practices, including Istio and Envoy.
  • Course link

Supply Chain Security#

Software supply chain security is a growing concern, with increasing focus at KubeCon and within the CNCF ecosystem.

• Securing Your Software Supply Chain with Sigstore (LFS182x)
  • Teaches how to use Sigstore for signing, verifying, and protecting software artifacts in CI/CD pipelines.
  • Course link

Edge and IoT#

Edge computing and IoT are expanding areas of interest, especially for organizations deploying Kubernetes outside traditional data centers.

• Introduction to Edge Computing (LFS173)
  • Covers edge computing fundamentals, architectures, and use cases, including how Kubernetes is used at the edge.
  • Course link

Storage and Networking#

Persistent storage and advanced networking are essential for production Kubernetes environments.

• Kubernetes for Network Engineers (LFS215)

  • Focuses on Kubernetes networking concepts, CNI plugins, and troubleshooting.
  • Course link

• Cloud Native Storage with Kubernetes (LFS260)

  • Explains persistent storage options, CSI drivers, and storage management in Kubernetes.
  • Course link

DevOps and SRE#

DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) practices are foundational to cloud native operations.

• Introduction to Site Reliability Engineering and DevOps (LFS162x)
  • Introduces SRE and DevOps principles, practices, and tools for building reliable cloud native systems.
  • Course link

These additional training opportunities reflect the most popular and recurring subject areas across CNCF and KubeCon events. For the most current and detailed mapping, consult the official KubeCon schedule and the Linux Foundation Training catalog.