Big Data is the hottest trend in the IT industry at the moment. Companies are realizing the value of collecting, retaining, and analyzing as much data as possible. They are therefore rushing to implement the next generation of data platform, and Hadoop is the centerpiece of these platforms.This practical guide is filled with examples which will show you how to successfully build a data platform using Hadoop. Step-by-step instructions will explain how to install, configure, and tie all major Hadoop components together. This book will allow you to avoid common pitfalls, follow best practices, and go beyond the basics when building a Hadoop cluster.This book will walk you through the process of building a Hadoop cluster from the ground up. By using practical examples and command samples, you will be able to get a cluster up and running in no time, and you will also gain a deep understanding of how various Hadoop components work and interact with each other.You will learn how to pick the right hardware for different types of Hadoop clusters and about the differences between various Hadoop distributions. By the end of this book, you will be able to install and configure several of the most popular Hadoop ecosystem projects including Hive, Impala, and Sqoop, and you will also be given a sneak peek into the pros and cons of using Hadoop in the cloud.