In this hands-on activity, you will explore the fundamental aspects of Google Cloud Compute by performing three key tasks: creating a Virtual Machine (VM), configuring a Persistent Disk, and deploying a web application using Google Cloud's Compute Engine.

Task 1: Creating a Virtual Machine (VM)

A Virtual Machine (VM) is a flexible and customizable computing resource that runs in the cloud. Google Cloud’s Compute Engine allows you to create VMs tailored to your specific needs. In this task, you will create a VM by selecting a machine type, operating system, CPU, memory, and region. The flexibility of Compute Engine lets you choose from various machine types, including preconfigured options or custom machines that meet your exact requirements.

Once the VM is created, it can be used for a variety of tasks such as running applications, processing data, or hosting services. You will also configure networking settings like allowing external traffic, which is essential for accessing the VM remotely. This task provides a foundational understanding of how to launch and configure compute resources on Google Cloud.

Task 2: Creating a Persistent Disk

Persistent Disks are a form of block storage that is durable, high-performance, and can be attached to multiple VMs. In this task, you will create a Persistent Disk that can store important data such as databases, files, or application logs. The benefit of persistent disks is that data remains intact even if the VM is stopped or deleted, ensuring continuous data availability.

You will learn how to create, format, and attach a persistent disk to your VM. This ensures that the VM has adequate storage capacity to handle the needs of your applications. Additionally, you will explore the different disk types (Standard, SSD, etc.) and their use cases depending on performance requirements. The ability to manage persistent storage is crucial when working with cloud-based infrastructure.

Task 3: Hosting a Web App on Google Cloud Using Compute Engine

The final task will involve deploying a simple web application using Compute Engine. You will set up a web server on your VM, such as Apache or Nginx, which will serve as the backbone for hosting the web app. Once the web server is running, you will configure the firewall rules to allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic, making the web app accessible over the internet.

This step will show you how to bring your applications to life in the cloud. By installing and configuring a web server, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how cloud infrastructure supports web hosting. Additionally, you will learn how to manage IP addresses, both static and dynamic, which is critical for ensuring consistent access to your web app.

 Conclusion

Through this activity, you will gain practical experience in managing cloud infrastructure using Google Cloud’s Compute Engine. By creating VMs, configuring persistent disks, and hosting a web app, you’ll learn essential cloud computing skills that will enable you to deploy, scale, and manage applications in the cloud. This knowledge is foundational for working with cloud services and is applicable to a variety of real-world use cases, from personal projects to enterprise-level deployments.