AltSchool Of Engineering Tinyuka’24 Month 8 Week 4
We kicked off this week’s class with a revision session, summarized here. I encourage you to review it if you haven’t already. Following that, we explored 20 GCP Core Services and their use cases, drawing on insights from our instructors.
20 GCP Core Services and Their Use Cases (Comprehensive Guide)
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is one of the world’s leading cloud ecosystems, known for its scalability, machine learning innovation, and the same infrastructure that powers Google Search, YouTube, and Gmail. If you’ve ever wondered how Google Cloud helps businesses build, scale, and innovate this guide is for you.
Compute Services
1. Compute Engine
What it is:
Virtual machines (VMs) running in Google’s global data centers with customizable CPU, memory, and storage.
Why it matters:
Compute Engine offers total control ideal for workloads that need performance, flexibility, and scalability.
Use case:
Spotify uses Compute Engine to process large-scale audio data and power its recommendation algorithms.
2. Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
What it is:
A managed Kubernetes service for deploying, scaling, and managing containerized applications.
Why it matters:
Removes the complexity of running Kubernetes manually while offering automation, load balancing, and auto-scaling.
Use case:
Snapchat uses GKE to run its microservices infrastructure efficiently across millions of users.
3. Cloud Run
What it is:
A fully managed serverless platform for running stateless containers triggered by requests or events.
Why it matters:
Perfect for developers who want to deploy apps without managing servers or clusters.
Use case:
Twitter uses Cloud Run to quickly deploy internal microservices without infrastructure overhead.
4. App Engine
What it is:
A Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) tool for building and hosting web applications at scale.
Why it matters:
Developers focus purely on code Google handles scaling, monitoring, and load balancing automatically.
Use case:
The New York Times uses App Engine to deliver articles and media assets to millions of daily readers.
Storage Services
5. Cloud Storage
What it is:
Highly durable object storage for unstructured data like files, videos, and backups.
Why it matters:
It’s infinitely scalable and integrates tightly with other Google services and machine learning pipelines.
Use case:
Spotify stores user-uploaded content and logs in Cloud Storage for analysis and streaming optimization.
6. Persistent Disk
What it is:
Block storage for virtual machines similar to a hard drive you can attach to your Compute Engine instances.
Why it matters:
Supports snapshots, encryption, and replication for data reliability.
Use case:
Enterprises use Persistent Disks for high-performance database storage like PostgreSQL or Oracle.
7. Filestore
What it is:
Managed file storage built for applications that need shared file systems.
Why it matters:
Ideal for workloads like content management systems or rendering farms that need concurrent access to data.
Use case:
Animation studios use Filestore to share large 3D assets across rendering clusters.
Database & Data Management
8. Cloud SQL
What it is:
Fully managed relational database supporting MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.
Why it matters:
Handles backups, patches, and failover automatically reducing database admin overhead.
Use case:
E-commerce companies use Cloud SQL to manage transactional data for orders and payments.
9. Cloud Spanner
What it is:
A globally distributed, strongly consistent relational database service.
Why it matters:
Combines SQL structure with NoSQL scalability perfect for massive enterprise-scale workloads.
Use case:
PayPal uses Cloud Spanner to handle millions of financial transactions reliably across continents.
10. Firestore (Firebase)
What it is:
A serverless NoSQL document database for mobile and web apps.
Why it matters:
Provides real-time synchronization, offline support, and seamless integration with Firebase tools.
Use case:
Duolingo uses Firestore to store user progress and sync lessons across devices.
11. BigQuery
What it is:
A serverless data warehouse designed for large-scale analytics and machine learning.
Why it matters:
Processes terabytes of data in seconds with built-in machine learning and SQL compatibility.
Use case:
The Home Depot uses BigQuery to analyze supply chain and sales data for operational insights.
Networking & Delivery
12. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
What it is:
A private, secure network environment for deploying GCP resources.
Why it matters:
Enables custom IP allocation, firewalls, and VPN connectivity offering fine-grained control.
Use case:
Banks use VPCs to isolate sensitive workloads and connect on-prem systems securely to the cloud.
13. Cloud Load Balancing
What it is:
A global load balancing service that distributes traffic across multiple backend instances.
Why it matters:
Ensures availability, high performance, and cost efficiency for web and app traffic.
Use case:
Spotify leverages global load balancing to deliver seamless streaming experiences across regions.
14. Cloud CDN
What it is:
Content Delivery Network for caching and accelerating content delivery at the edge.
Why it matters:
Improves performance and reduces latency for users around the world.
Use case:
E-commerce websites use Cloud CDN to serve images, videos, and assets faster during peak shopping seasons.
Security, Identity & Compliance
15. Cloud IAM (Identity and Access Management)
What it is:
Manages user access and permissions across GCP resources.
Why it matters:
Implements the principle of least privilege, essential for security compliance.
Use case:
Large organizations assign granular roles to developers, data engineers, and admins using IAM policies.
16. Cloud KMS (Key Management Service)
What it is:
Manages encryption keys to protect data at rest and in transit.
Why it matters:
Ensures compliance with data protection standards like GDPR and HIPAA.
Use case:
Healthcare startups use KMS to encrypt medical records and ensure patient data privacy.
17. Cloud Armor
What it is:
A web application firewall (WAF) and DDoS protection service.
Why it matters:
Shields applications from external attacks, ensuring uptime and data integrity.
Use case:
Online retailers use Cloud Armor to defend against bot traffic and cyberattacks during flash sales.
Monitoring, AI & DevOps
18. Cloud Monitoring (formerly Stackdriver)
What it is:
A monitoring and observability platform for applications and infrastructure.
Why it matters:
Provides dashboards, alerts, and logs to help detect and resolve performance issues.
Use case:
SaaS companies use Cloud Monitoring to track uptime and latency across global services.
19. Cloud Pub/Sub
What it is:
A real-time messaging and event streaming service.
Why it matters:
Connects distributed systems through asynchronous messaging, improving scalability.
Use case:
Ride-sharing apps use Pub/Sub to handle live updates between drivers and passengers.
20. Cloud Deployment Manager
What it is:
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) service for automating deployment of GCP resources.
Why it matters:
Promotes consistency and repeatability in cloud environments.
Use case:
DevOps teams use Deployment Manager to deploy entire environments (networking, compute, storage) in minutes.
These 20 GCP Core Services form the foundation of the Google Cloud ecosystem. They empower developers and businesses to innovate faster, scale globally, and stay secure without the heavy lifting of traditional IT infrastructure. From startups building their first app to enterprises transforming digitally, Google Cloud delivers the same power that fuels YouTube, Maps, and Gmail now in your hands.
I’m so grateful for your support on this journey, and your enthusiasm has been incredibly motivating! I hope you’ll continue to delve deeper into the concepts we’ve explored. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting and honing your skills!
I’m eager to hear your feedback and thoughts, so please leave a comment below to start a conversation.
I’m Ikoh Sylva, a cloud computing enthusiast documenting my AWS journey from a beginner’s perspective. With several months of hands-on experience, I’m sharing what I’ve learned along the way. If this resonates with you, please like and follow my posts, and consider sharing this article with others embarking on their own cloud adventures. Let’s learn and grow together!
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