Google Cloud Platform: Everything You Need to Know

There are many draws to the public cloud for businesses, but it has become the de facto standard for companies of all sizes. In spite of the fact that each cloud service provider brands their solution under their own name, they are all essentially using the same open-source software. If a company has already committed to cloud computing, then the question becomes which cloud service provider to utilize. Even though Amazon serves the most clients, competition from Google’s Cloud Platform (GCP) is fierce. In this article, we will discuss Google Cloud platform software, services, pricing, hosting, and VPS.

The History of Google Cloud Platform

In 2008, Google released a service named App Engine, which marked the beginning of GCP’s existence online. With the announcement of App Engine’s preview release in April 2008, Google gave its customers the ability to host their web applications on Google’s servers. (This was roughly two years after Amazon first began offering cloud computing, with the introduction of S3 cloud storage and EC2.)

According to Google, the purpose of App Engine was to “make it easy to get started with a new web app, and then make it easy to scale when that app reaches the point where it’s receiving significant traffic and has millions of users.”

App Engine was made available to 10,000 developers so that input could be gathered and used to refine the preview release. These innovators had access to 10 GB of daily bandwidth, 200 million megacycles of CPU time, and 500 MB of storage to operate their applications.

By the end of 2011, Google had taken App Engine out of beta and was fully supporting it as a Google product. Google has spent the past decade developing and acquiring new services and products to improve the cloud computing experience.

As of now, Google Cloud Platform is a formidable competitor to other public cloud providers. Nintendo, eBay, UPS, The Home Depot, Etsy, PayPal, 20th Century Fox, and Twitter are just a few of the companies that use Google Cloud.

What Is the Google Cloud Platform?

The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a collection of tools designed to let organizations, developers, and regular users take advantage of cloud computing. All of your processing, storage, machine learning, data analytics, and networking needs may be met by using the Google Cloud platform’s services. Users can access scalable and flexible resources to build, launch, and scale apps smoothly.

Virtual machine management is handled by Compute Engine, application development is handled by App Engine and container orchestration is handled by Kubernetes Engine. BigQuery, an analytics service, and Cloud Storage, an object storage system, are only two of the many data services offered by GCP. 

Also, users can include AI in their applications with the help of machine learning capabilities using tools like TensorFlow and the AI Platform. Organizations looking for a dependable and cutting-edge cloud computing environment would do well to consider Google Cloud because of its global network, which guarantees low-latency access to resources.

What Is the Google Cloud Platform Used For?

Google uses the Google Cloud Platform to leverage its own worldwide digital infrastructure to run all of the services it delivers to consumers, including Gmail and Google Search. In addition, millions of businesses, organizations, and individuals from every corner of the globe use GCP, from the largest multinationals to the smallest startups and freelance software engineers.

Businesses of all sizes use the Google Cloud Platform specifically to develop, deploy, and manage cloud applications, including:

• Web hosting: The Google Cloud Platform provides a number of services for hosting web applications, including virtual machines, containers, and load balancers.
• Retailers: Retailers use GCP to power their e-commerce platforms, personalize customers’ shopping experiences, and learn from their data.
• Industries of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Supply chain optimization, digital twin creation, robotics and industrial IoT management, product quality improvement, demand forecasting, and disruption avoidance are just some of the many uses for the GCP in the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Financial services: GCP is used in a wide variety of industries, from capital markets to banking to blockchain to neo-banks and insurance, among others, to facilitate business outcomes, host financial systems, assist in regulatory compliance, prevent fraud, and create novel goods and services.
• Healthcare: GCP paves the way for better patient diagnosis, treatment, and care by ensuring the secure storage and analysis of patient data, facilitating remote health, boosting research and development, and more.
• Software developers: The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) helps DevSecOps teams save money on hardware and software costs while they build, test, and release apps, software, and APIs in safe, separate environments that are easy to scale up or down as required.
• Government: Government organizations use GCP to improve infrastructure, provide services to citizens, and make the country safer.

Google Cloud Platform Services

There are more than 100 different products and services that make up the Google Cloud Platform. These range from AI and machine learning to data analytics, networking, storage, and security. 

#1. Cloud Run

With Cloud Run, you can make containers instead of virtual machines. How would you set up containers without Cloud Run or something similar? That will help you see how useful that is and how it can save you money. First, you would need to (A) start up a virtual machine. Next, you would need to (B) start up containers inside it.  Why do (B) when (A) will do? This is useless by nature. Also, it goes against the whole point of containers, which are simple operating systems that don’t need all the extra software that a full-fledged OS does, like software for encrypting files, transferring files, keeping a system log, etc.

But a container needs a place to live. That’s what Google Cloud Run gives you.  

#2. Compute Engine

Cloud computing is provided via Google’s Compute Engine. That is to say, it provides a selection of host operating systems and hardware specifications from which to launch VMs. Obviously, a virtual machine is a full-fledged computer running on top of a hypervisor. Since it mimics a computer but does not have access to the screen, disk drive, etc., it is more accurately described as an abstraction of a computer. The host OS and hypervisor are responsible for this instead. One physical computer can be partitioned into several virtual machines in this way.  

Virtual machines (VMs) allow you to dynamically scale computer resources up or down in response to fluctuations in application demand. As a result, you spend less money on gear that is actively being used.

As opposed to Amazon EC2, Cloud Run is identical.

#3. App Engine

Google’s App Engine is a platform and framework for building and hosting apps on the web that can automatically scale to meet the needs of more users. Instead of running apps in containers, you can construct an application and execute it on an abstraction of it. A virtual machine (VM) or container is not required to launch the application. 

Like Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud.

#4. BigQuery

BigQuery is a no-server data warehouse built for large organizations. It can analyze petabytes of data in minutes and is built to enable users to quickly set up their data warehouses so they can begin analysis and use of the data. 

To minimize the requirement for rewrites, BigQuery employs an ANSI:2011-compliant standard SQL dialect. Since it employs federated queries, the platform can handle data from multiple sources without creating duplicates.

Like Amazon Elastic MapReduce and Amazon Elastic Search Service Athena.

#5. Memorystore for Redis

Like SAP Hana and Apache Spark, Cloud Memorystore for Redis is an in-memory database that is freely available to the public. The theory is that doing away with disk drives will allow the database to operate more quickly. This is because memory (solid state storage) is much faster than the disk drivers (moving elements), such as the disk controller.  

Thus, MemoryStore uses RAM rather than disk space to store its data. However, memory is costly in comparison to disk storage, making it unsuitable for many jobs unless its significance justifies the expense. Medium-sized virtual machines, for instance, typically have between 8 and 32 GB of RAM. But for only $200, you can add 1TB of storage space to your laptop in the form of an external drive. 

#6. Persistent Disk

Block storage for virtual machines with Google Persistent Disk. Database blocks can be readily expanded or contracted, backed up, and shared amongst a variety of readers. Users also don’t need to worry about the safety of their cloud data because it is encrypted automatically.

Because storage is lost when a virtual computer is powered off, a persistent disk is required. This is because the storage is the physical storage associated with the PC on which the VM operates. 

Like Amazon Elastic Block Store.

#7. Google Tensor Processing Unit (TPU)

Even though Google Cloud TPU is a proprietary type of GPU (graphical processing unit built to do large-scale mathematics, which is vital in machine learning), it is still a product that no other company offers.

NVIDIA, the market leader and progenitor of the graphics card industry, provided the foundation for the development of TPUs (Tensor Processing Units). The TPU is a kind of CPU similar to a graphics card; however, it often has hundreds or thousands of cores rather than the usual four or eight. 

TPUs perform extremely large-scale arithmetic using the same technology as the graphics card in your desktop or laptop computer. 

In order to construct neural networks for voice and image recognition, tensors are used. Plus, they provide the CPU capacity to solve large issues, like determining the ideal delivery timetable for a worldwide shipping corporation, modeling computer networks, and monitoring cybersecurity occurrences.

All of this can be done on ordinary central processing units, but TPUs drastically cut the processing time. 

Google Cloud Platform Hosting

The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provides powerful and reliable hosting services for a wide range of applications. One of the primary hosting services is Compute Engine, which offers virtual machines (VMs) that can be customized to meet specific performance and resource requirements. Users can choose from various machine types, each optimized for different workloads, and scale their infrastructure up or down based on demand.

For applications that require a fully managed platform, App Engine is available. App Engine abstracts away infrastructure management, allowing developers to focus solely on writing code. It supports multiple programming languages and automatically scales applications based on traffic.

Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is another hosting option that provides a managed Kubernetes service for containerized applications. It simplifies container orchestration, making it easier to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications using Kubernetes.

GCP’s global network infrastructure ensures low-latency access to hosted resources across the world. Additionally, services like cloud load balancing and content delivery networks (CDN) enhance performance and reliability. Whether you need virtual machines, managed platforms, or container orchestration, the Google Cloud Platform offers robust hosting solutions to meet diverse application needs.

Google Cloud Platform Pricing

It doesn’t cost anything to get started using the Google Cloud Platform. A free $300 in credits can be used for workload running, testing, and deployment on GCP. With monthly usage caps, all customers get access to over 20 free products.

When your free Google Cloud Platform (GCP) credits run out, you can continue using the service by paying as you go. The Google Cloud Platform offers a plethora of tools and services. The cost of each item varies with its specific features and intended application. For additional product information, users can view the official, comprehensive GCP product list.

What Is the Difference Between Google Cloud and Google Cloud Platform?

The terms “Google Cloud” and “Google Cloud Platform” are frequently used interchangeably; however, experts believe that there is a subtle distinction between the two.

Many people use the umbrella term “Google Cloud” to refer to all of Google’s cloud services. Included in this category are both GCP and the services and tools connected with Google’s already-released, globally accessible products, such as Google Workspace and Google Maps Platform.

On the other hand, Google Cloud Platform is the term most commonly used to refer to the company’s collection of cloud computing services aimed at individual customers and businesses that wish to construct their own private, internal, or hybrid cloud networks. Some interesting applications that use GCP are YouTube, Gmail, and the generative AI Google chatbot Bard.

Can I Host My Website on Google Cloud?

Certainly, you can host your website on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). The Google Cloud platform offers a range of services suitable for hosting different types of websites.

For traditional web hosting, Compute Engine allows you to create and customize virtual machines (VMs) to run your web applications. You have control over the configuration and can scale resources based on your website’s needs.

If you prefer a fully managed platform, App Engine is a great choice. It abstracts away infrastructure management, enabling you to focus solely on developing your website. It automatically scales based on demand, making it a hassle-free option for many developers.

The Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is ideal for containerized applications. It provides a managed Kubernetes service, simplifying the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized workloads.

Cloud storage is suitable for hosting static websites or storing assets like images and videos, offering a cost-effective solution for content delivery.

Additionally, GCP’s global network infrastructure ensures low-latency access to your website from users around the world. With features like load balancing, content delivery networks (CDN), and robust security options, the Google Cloud Platform provides a comprehensive environment for hosting your website efficiently and securely.

How Do I Create a Free Google Cloud Platform?

The steps below will help you make a free Google Cloud Platform (GCP) account:

• Visit the GCP website: Navigate to https://cloud.google.com/ to find the Google Cloud Platform websites.
• Press “Get Started for Free.” Scroll down to the GCP home page and click on the “Get Started for Free” button or link.
• Sign up for a Google account or join one already set up: A Google account is required if you don’t already have one. Sign in with the one you already have.
• Enter the information asked for: Kindly give the needed data, like your name, address, and credit card information. You may be asked for your credit card information by Google to make sure you are who you say you are, but you won’t be charged unless you decide to pay for Chrome.
• Agree to the Rules: Make sure you read and agree to the rules.
• You can reach the Cloud Console by: You’ll be taken thereafter to set up your account.
• Take a look at the free resources: From now until December 31, GCP has a free option with limited resources. During these times, you won’t have to pay to use numerous Google Cloud Platform services.

In addition, it’s important to watch how much you use the free version so you don’t go over the limits. If your needs grow beyond the free version, you can choose to switch to a paid account.

Google Cloud Platform (VPS)

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provides robust virtual private server (VPS) solutions through its Compute Engine service. Compute Engine allows users to create and customize virtual machines (VMs) based on their specific requirements, offering a scalable and flexible infrastructure for hosting applications, websites, and services.

With Compute Engine, users can choose from a variety of machine types, including standard, high-memory, and high-CPU instances, to match the computational needs of their workloads. Custom machine types enable even more fine-grained control over CPU and memory configurations.

GCP’s global network infrastructure ensures low-latency access to VM instances from users worldwide. Persistent disk and local SSD options offer reliable and high-performance storage solutions for your virtual machines.

Additionally, features like load balancing enable the distribution of traffic across multiple instances, ensuring high availability and reliability for applications hosted on GCP’s VPS. The pay-as-you-go pricing model allows users to scale resources up or down based on demand, providing cost-efficiency and flexibility for a wide range of use cases. Overall, Google Cloud Platform’s VPS offerings provide a powerful and scalable solution for hosting applications in the cloud. Also, read WHAT IS A VIRTUAL PRIVATE SERVER: All to Know

What Are the Pros and Cons of the Google Cloud Platform?

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is like a bullet train for the cloud, speeding organizations forward in the Internet age. GCP is a strong competitor because of its scalability, low cost, and reliable infrastructure.

Its cutting-edge machine learning capabilities and comprehensive suite of tools and services boost productivity and creativity. GCP offers data protection and reliability with a global network and cutting-edge security procedures.

GCP, like any other platform, has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s go deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of Google Cloud Platform.

Advantages of Google Cloud Platform:

#1. Scalability and Flexibility

Google Cloud Platform offers organizations the scalability and flexibility they need to respond to changing needs and develop their operations.

By increasing or decreasing the amount of available resources, firms may better respond to fluctuations in client demand. Businesses can save money by not having to overprovision, and they won’t have to worry about their services going down if they have a sudden influx of users.

Additionally, the Google Cloud Platform allows companies to pick and choose the services and tools that work best for them. Businesses can tailor their cloud setup in terms of storage space, processing power, and even machine learning capabilities to match their specific requirements. Because of this adaptability, businesses may better streamline their processes and raise productivity.

The Google Cloud Platform also provides numerous application programming interfaces (APIs) and connectors with other systems and services, facilitating easy integration for organizations. This degree of compatibility streamlines the process of capitalizing on existing investments and expanding a company’s capabilities. Google Cloud Platform gives companies the freedom to use their preferred tools and services by allowing them to integrate with third-party applications and connect to other cloud services.

#2. Cost Efficiency

While there are many advantages to using the Google Cloud Platform, it is also crucial to ensure that the platform is cost-effective for the organization. Google Cloud Platform’s pay-as-you-go pricing mechanism is a strong selling point. By only paying for the resources they use, businesses can save money compared to the traditional on-premises infrastructure model of purchasing and maintaining their own gear. In addition, the Google Cloud Platform gives companies more ways to save money by providing several pricing tiers and commitment reductions. The Cloud Console and the Google Cloud Pricing Calculator are only two examples of the spending management solutions made available by this platform.

It’s worth noting that while the Google Cloud Platform may be the most cost-effective choice for some firms, it’s not the best fit for others. Other cloud providers or on-premises solutions may offer higher cost savings, depending on the specific needs and usage patterns. It’s crucial for firms to properly examine their demands and compare pricing possibilities before making a selection.

#3. Robust Infrastructure and Reliability

When it comes to infrastructure, organizations can rely on the Google Cloud Platform’s consistency because of its reliable infrastructure and high availability and performance. Google Cloud Platform provides a safe and secure place for businesses to host their applications and services thanks to its state-of-the-art data centers and network infrastructure.

Google’s worldwide network is a critical component of the platform’s reliability. Google offers a massive network of data centers distributed throughout the globe, allowing businesses to deploy their apps closer to their users. As a result, users will notice less lag and better response times.

And because of its scalability, the Google Cloud Platform can meet the needs of companies of any size. The Google Cloud Platform can scale to meet the needs of any business, no matter how large or small, and it can easily adapt to sudden spikes in traffic.

#4. Efficient Data Processing

The Google Cloud Platform facilitates effective data processing with its powerful machine learning features. Because of its robust architecture and expandable resources, it facilitates the efficient and painless management of massive amounts of data by businesses.

BigQuery, Dataflow, and Dataproc are just a few of the data processing tools and services available on the platform, and they’re all optimized to make quick work of intensive data analytics projects. These programs use machine learning techniques to streamline and accelerate the processing of data, saving analysts valuable time and effort.

Developers can quickly add sophisticated analytics and predictive capabilities to their software with the help of Google Cloud Platform’s pre-trained machine learning models and APIs.

This combination of proficient machine learning capabilities and quick data processing makes the Google Cloud Platform a viable choice for enterprises trying to glean insights and make data-driven decisions in real-time.

Disadvantages of the Google Cloud Platform:

#1. Complex Pricing

Because of the complexity of Google Cloud Platform’s pricing model, it can be difficult for organizations to predict and control their cloud computing expenses. Cloud quotes you discover can be quite deceptive unless you know everything you would be utilizing in the cloud, such as storage and bandwidth, which a VM does not contain. This is a problem because, in most organizations, a separate person handles both cloud use and cloud purchase. 

Before attempting to receive a price from GCP, you should meet with the end user in your organization and get precise requirements (or ranges), RAM, vCPU, storage, bandwidth, additional service add-ons, bursting predictions, expectations for the workload to develop, etc. In this way, your GPC bill won’t come as a complete surprise.

#2. Limited Support

Businesses that want immediate support may struggle due to the limited nature of GCP’s available support solutions. The availability of assistance options may have an impact on the effectiveness and timeliness of problem-solving. System availability, performance, and overall productivity can be negatively impacted if businesses wait for critical technical guidance or troubleshooting support.

Businesses can take additional strategies to help them face the problems of limited support. Some examples include hiring in-house experts, consulting online message boards and databases, using outside consultants, or tapping into the services of a certified partner of GCP.

#3. Security Concerns

GCP’s security may be an issue for some companies that deal with sensitive information. Although GCP offers powerful security features and adopts industry-leading standards to preserve client data, no system can claim to be totally immune to security concerns. Companies need to keep their guard up and be proactive with security since cyber threats are always changing.

Is the Google Cloud Platform the Same as AWS?

While Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are both major cloud computing providers, they have differences in terms of services, architecture, and approach. GCP emphasizes simplicity and innovation, often leveraging Google’s strengths in data analytics and machine learning. AWS, on the other hand, offers an extensive range of services and has been in the market longer.

GCP is recognized for its data analytics tools like BigQuery and machine learning services, while AWS is known for its broad service portfolio, global presence, and extensive customer base. Architecturally, GCP often emphasizes containerization with Kubernetes, and AWS has its own container orchestration service called Amazon ECS. In essence, both platforms offer powerful cloud solutions, but the choice between them depends on specific business needs, preferences, and existing technology stacks.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, many businesses handle migrations to the cloud without the aid of consultants by giving their developers, architects, and administrators access to free trials and product tiers in advance of the general public. One alternative that is gaining traction for keeping businesses competitive in the cloud is Google’s Cloud Platform.

A vital step before any cloud migration—regardless of how much you are transferring or whatever platform you are using—is making sure that the company’s data is integral, correct, and secure.

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Reference

• pluralsight.com
• techrepublic.com
• talend.com
• openmetal.io
• ablison.com