Google Cloud Create VM instance with Startup Script

Step-01: Introduction¶

We are going to provision VM with startup script
Verify if all the steps outlined in startup script got executed during the creation of the VM.
Verify Deletion protection
Implement Project Level Startup Script and test it.

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: demo2-vm-startupscript
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: unchecked (leave to default)
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

Management:

Description: demo2-vm-startupscript
Deletion Protection: Enable it
Reservations: Automatically use created reservation (leave to default)
Automation:

Startup Script: Copy paste content from webserver-install.sh file

#!/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

Metadata: empty (leave to default)
Data Encryption: Leave to defaults
Click on Create

Step-03: View Logs in Logs Explorer¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo2-vm-startupscript -> View Logs
Wait for sometime so that VM can provision the webserver defined in startup script

Step-04: Connect to VM and Verify¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo2-vm-startupscript -> SSH -> Open in browser window

# Verify logs
grep nginx /var/log/dpkg.log
grep nginx /var/log/auth.log
more /var/log/auth.log

# Verify nginx binaries installed
dpkg --get-selections | grep nginx
apt list --installed | grep nginx

# Verify Webserver Static Pages
cd /usr/share/nginx/html
ls

Step-05: Access Webserver Pages¶

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

Step-06: Verify Deletion protection Setting¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo2-vm-startupscript
Delete Option should be in disabled state.
Verify the same for demo1-vm
Go to VM Instances -> demo1-vm
Delete Option should be in enabled state.

Step-07: How to delete a VM whose Delete Protection is enabled ?¶

Edit VM
Disable Deletion protection setting (Uncheck it)
Save changes
Now if we verify Delete setting should be in enabled state

Step-08: Delete VM¶

Delete VM whose name is demo2-vm-startupscript-similar

Step-09: Define Project Level Startup Script¶

Go to Compute Engine -> Settings -> Metadata

Click on Edit

# Add Metadata Key
startup-script

# Add Metadata Value
#!/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, 310);'> <h1>PROJECT-LEVEL STARTUP SCRIPT 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-10: Create New VM¶

Go to Virtual Machines -> VM Instances -> Create Instance -> New VM Instance -> Provide required details
Name: projectlevel-startuscript-demo
Machine Configuration:
Series: E2
Machine Type: e2-micro
Firewall
Allow HTTP Traffic
REST ALL LEAVE TO DEFAULTS
Click on Create

Step-11: Verify by accessing webserver pages¶

Go to Compute Engine -> VM Instances -> projectlevel-startuscript-demo

If required, you can do SSH connect and verify

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

Step-12: How to override project level Startup Script?¶

Provide the start-script at VM instance level overrides the project level startup script metadata
Create a new VM
Name: override-projectlevel-startuscript
Machine Configuration:
Series: E2
Machine Type: e2-micro
Firewall
Allow HTTP Traffic
Management
Automation:
- Startup Script: Copy paste content from override-webserver-install.sh file
REST ALL LEAVE TO DEFAULTS
Click on Create

Step-13: Verify by accessing webserver pages¶

Go to Compute Engine -> VM Instances -> override-projectlevel-startuscript

If required, you can do SSH connect and verify

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

Step-14: Delete VMs¶

# Delete VMs
projectlevel-startuscript-demo
override-projectlevel-startuscript

Step-15: Stop VM to avoid charges¶

Go to VM Instances -> demo2-vm-startupscript -> Stop
Verify Notifications at the top right corner.
Additional Observation: When VM is stopped, Public IP or External IP is released

Step-16: Remove Project level Metadata created for Startup Scripts¶

Go to Compute Engine -> Settings -> Metadata -> EDIT
Delete startup-script Metadata
Click on SAVE