Google Cloud Create Simple GCP GCE VM Instance

Step-01: Introduction¶

We will learn the following concepts as part of this section
How to create Linux VM Instnace in Google Cloud Platform ?
How to connect to Linux VM Instnace in GCP using SSH via Browser ?
What are various settings available on SSH via Browser ?
How to install a simple webserver on GCP VM Instance and access those sample pages on webserver via Browser using GCP External IP ?
How to Manage VM Instances (Stop / Start / Suspend / Resume / Reset / Delete etc)?

Step-02: Create VM Instance¶

Enable Google Compute Engine API
Go to Virtual Machines -> VM Instances -> Create Instance -> New VM Instance -> Provide required details
Name: demo1-vm
Labels: environment: dev
Region: us-central1
Zone: us-central1-a
Machine Configuration:
Series: E2
Machine Type: e2-micro
Availability Policies:
VM Provisioning Model: Standard
Display Device: checked
Confidential VM Service: unchecked (leave to default)
Container: unchecked (leave to default)
Boot Disk: Leave to defaults
Identity and API Access:
Service Account: Compute Engine default Service Account
Access Scopes: Allow default Access
Firewall
Allow HTTP Traffic
Advanced Options: We will learn these later in detail, lot to discuss for each and every option
Click on Create

Step-03: Discuss about newly created VM (very high level)¶

What are VM Filters ?
What is VM Internal IP ?
What is VM External IP ?
How to connect to Linux VM ?

Step-04: Connect to Linux VM Instance using SSH¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo1-vm -> SSH -> Open in browser window
Understand what happens in background when opening SSH Connection via browser
SSH Keys transferred to VM
Verify in .ssh/authorized_keys file

We will talk more about SSH Keys in that respective demo in detail with all options

# After login via SSH Verify ID it logged in
id 
Observation: It should be the id with which you logged in to your Google Cloud Console 

# Verify `/home/<USER_NAME>/.ssh/authorized_keys` 
cat /home/dkalyanreddy/.ssh/authorized_keys

Step-05: Create / Review webserver-install.sh¶

Create a simple script named webserver-install.sh and put the below contnent and run it

webserver-install.sh

#!/bin/bash
sudo apt install -y telnet
sudo apt install -y nginx
sudo systemctl enable nginx
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html
HOSTNAME=$(hostname)
sudo echo "<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body style='background-color:rgb(250, 210, 210);'> <h1>Welcome to StackSimplify - WebVM App1 </h1> <p><strong>VM Hostname:</strong> $HOSTNAME</p> <p><strong>VM IP Address:</strong> $(hostname -I)</p> <p><strong>Application Version:</strong> V1</p> <p>Google Cloud Platform - Demos</p> </body></html>" | sudo tee /var/www/html/index.html

Step-06: Understand SSH Settings when connected via Browser¶

Color Themes
Text Size
Font
Copy Settings
Key Board Shortcuts
Upload File
Download File
Instance Details
New Connection to VM
Change Linux Username

Step-07: Upload and Run the webserver install script¶

# Run the commands 
hostname
ip -s addr
Observation:
1. make a note of IP address and hostname

# Upload file
Upload file webserver-install.sh

# Give Permissions 
chmod 755 webserver-install.sh

# Install Webserver using script
./webserver-install.sh

# Verify Files
cd /var/www/html
ls
cd app1
ls

Step-08: Access Webserver Pages¶

# Access Webserver Pages
http://<external-ip-of-vm>

Step-10: Managing VM Instnace - VM Actions¶

VM Stop: Stop shuts down the instance. If the shutdown doesn't complete within 90 seconds, the instance is forced to halt. This can lead to file-system corruption.
VM Start: Start the VM
VM Suspend: The instance will preserve its running state, similar to closing a laptop. You'll be billed for storage of the suspended VM state and any persistent disks it uses. The instance won't be accessible while it's being suspended, which may take a few minutes.
VM Resume: Resume the VM from suspended state
VM Reset: Reset performs a hard reset on the instance, which wipes the memory contents of the machine and resets the virtual machine to its initial state. This can lead to filesystem corruption.
VM Delete: Delete the VM instance
View Network Details: It will take us to Network Interface Details of a VM
Review Network Interface details
Review VM Instance details
Review Firewall Rules
Review Network Analysis
Create new Machine Image: We will have a dedicated demo for this
View logs: We will have a dedicated demos for this
View Monitoring: We will have a dedicated demo for this
Verify VM Instance ID details

Step-11: Perform VM Action - Suspend and Resume¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo1-vm -> Actions -> Suspend
We should see suspend action is success
Go to VM Instances -> demo1-vm -> Actions -> Start / Resume
Exteral IP before and after "suspend and resume" action will vary (Its a Ephemeral IP Address - NOT STATIC)

Step-12: Perform VM Action - Reset¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo1-vm -> Actions -> Reset

Just memory wipes, any data in system memory will be reset

# Access Webserver Pages
http://<external-ip-of-vm>
Observation:
1. Application should be accessible

Step-13: Review VM Settings after Creation¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo1-vm
Details Tab
Observability Tab
Screenshots Tab

Step-14: Stop VM to avoid charges¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo1-vm -> Stop
Verify Notifications at the top right corner.
Additional Observation: When VM is stopped, Public IP or External IP is released

Step-15: Where is the Boot Disk located for the demo1-vm¶

Go to Compute Engine -> Storage -> Disks -> demo1-vm
Review
DETAILS Tab
MONITORING Tab

References¶

Suspend VM OS Compatability