If you’re new to GCP, read on to understand the finer details of this versatile Google service. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) operates as a public cloud provider, similar to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. Through GCP and other cloud vendors, users can tap into computing resources hosted in Google’s global data centers, either for free or through a pay-per-use model.
GCP boasts a diverse range of services, spanning from cost and data management to web and video delivery, as well as AI and machine learning tools. Whether it’s managing expenses, handling data, or harnessing advanced technologies, GCP offers a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to diverse user needs.
Google Cloud encompasses various internet services aimed at helping organizations digitize their operations. Within Google Cloud, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) specifically provides the infrastructure for hosting web-based applications. While Google Workspace, enterprise versions of Android and Chrome OS, and machine learning APIs are part of Google Cloud, GCP focuses on offering public cloud infrastructure.
The GCP Infrastructure
To fully comprehend GCP, you will need to understand the framework of GCP. Google operates from 24 locations worldwide to host Google Cloud Platform resources.Regions and Availability Zones:
Each location is referred to as a “region.” Within each region, there are “availability zones” to ensure reliability. Availability zones are isolated from each other to prevent single points of failure.Global Resources:
Some resources, like the HTTP global load balancer, are accessible globally. These resources can handle requests from any Google edge location or region.Regional Resources:
Other resources, such as storage, are regional. Storage is distributed across multiple zones within a region to ensure redundancy.Zonal Resources:
Zonal resources, including compute instances, are limited to specific zones within a region. Compute instances, for example, are available only in one specific zone within a region.Deployment Considerations:
When deploying applications on GCP, location selection is crucial. Factors like performance, reliability, scalability, and security needs of the organization must be considered.Google Cloud Vs. GCP
Google’s GCP forms the backbone for applications like Google Workplace, but it’s important to distinguish between the broader Google Cloud and the specific infrastructure-focused Google Cloud Platform. But Google Cloud and Google Cloud Platform… Are they the same or different? The following table breaks it down:| Product | Google Cloud | Google Cloud Platform (GCP) |
| Definition | Combination of internet services aiding digitalization | Specifically provides public cloud infrastructure |
| Examples | Google Workspace | Google Cloud Platform (GCP) |
| Enterprise versions of Android and Chrome OS | Public cloud infrastructure for hosting web-based applications | |
| APIs for machine learning and enterprise mapping services | ||
| Focus | Diverse services facilitating organizational operations | Infrastructure for hosting web-based applications |
| Purpose | Supporting organizational tasks and connectivity | Enabling deployment and management of web applications |
| Use Cases | Identity management, email services, collaboration tools | Hosting web-based applications, data management, AI tools |
GCP Services
GCP offers a diverse range of services designed specifically to meet the needs of modern organizations. These services are categorized based on the region they are offered in – while some are available globally, others are limited to specific regions. Computing and Hosting: GCP provides a range of computing services, including virtual machines (VMs), containers, and serverless computing options. These services enable organizations to deploy, manage, and scale their applications with ease. Storage and Database: GCP offers various storage solutions, such as object storage, block storage, and archival storage, catering to different data storage needs. Additionally, GCP provides managed database services, including relational databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server, as well as NoSQL databases like Firestore and Bigtable. Networking: Networking services offered by GCP allow organizations to build and manage their network infrastructure efficiently. This includes virtual private clouds (VPCs), load balancing, and content delivery network (CDN) services, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity for applications and users. Big Data: GCP provides robust tools and services for processing, analyzing, and visualizing large datasets. With offerings such as BigQuery, Dataflow, and Dataproc, organizations can derive valuable insights from their data and make informed decisions to drive business growth. Machine Learning: Machine learning services on GCP empower organizations to obtain the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to build intelligent applications. GCP offers pre-trained models, custom model training, and deployment services, enabling organizations to integrate ML capabilities into their products and services seamlessly. By using these major service categories, organizations can drive innovation, optimize operations, and gain new opportunities for growth and success with Google Cloud Platform.The Works and Quirks of GCP
GCP, like any product or service, has pros and cons. The following are the strengths that make GCP a strong choice for organizations. User-Friendly Architecture Building: GCP feels like using puzzle pieces that fit perfectly with each other to create structures, making it easy to design architectures. Each service is crafted with specific use cases in mind and seamlessly integrates with other services, ensuring smooth workflows and operations. Comprehensive Documentation: GCP has exceptional documentation, ensuring that it’s easy for users to understand and implement its features. The documentation is structured in a user-friendly manner, with clear overviews followed by hands-on sections guiding users through feature implementations. Robust Global Backbone Network: GCP’s global backbone network is a standout feature, leveraging advanced software-defined networking and edge-caching services. This network ensures fast, consistent, and scalable performance across regions. While opting for the premium-tier global network brings additional costs, the benefits are quite significant too. Designing architectures with a virtual private cloud (VPC) that automatically routes traffic on this global network is a sound investment for enhanced performance and reliability. While the strengths form one side of the GCP coin, the weakness balance it from the other side. The following are the cons of GCP. Limited Service Offerings: Compared to GCP’s competitors, GCP offers fewer services. This means that users may not find as many options for their specific needs. Opinionated Approach: GCP has a specific way in which users are expected to use their cloud services, particularly geared towards software developers. This might not align with the preferences or requirements of all users. Focus on Investment Over Market Dominance: Google seems to prioritize investing in GCP rather than aggressively pursuing market dominance or growth. This could mean that GCP may not receive as much attention or resources compared to Google’s other revenue-driving services like search, ads, and YouTube.Instances of GCP Usage
GCP helps deal with organizational functioning and management. Here are some instances where you can get a clear understanding of how GCP works.- Efficient Organizational Management: GCP offers a hierarchical structure for large organizations needing to manage permissions across various projects. This allows setting policies at the top level, ensuring departments can work swiftly while adhering to organizational rules.
- Resource Management Simplified: Within GCP, all resources are tied to specific projects. Deleting a project removes all associated resources, preventing unnecessary costs from leftover resources. Additionally, projects can be assigned to different billing accounts over time, providing flexibility in managing expenses.
- Advanced Data Analysis: GCP is ideal for organizations seeking advanced Big Data, machine learning, and analytics capabilities. Businesses can easily upload data into GCP and extract valuable insights, such as key performance indicators for products or personalized recommendations based on customer purchase history.
