intro
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a powerful suite of cloud computing services that can help businesses and individuals improve their IT infrastructure and scale their operations. One of the most attractive features of GCP is that it offers a variety of free services that can be used to test out the platform, learn new skills, and even run small-scale production workloads.
By using GCP’s free services, users can benefit from the platform’s reliability, scalability, and security, while also saving money on IT costs. Additionally, GCP offers a variety of tools and services that can be used to analyze and process data, build and deploy web applications, and manage containers and virtual machines.
In this article, we’ll explore the different free services that GCP offers, and provide guidance on how to set up and use them effectively. Whether you’re a business owner looking to reduce IT costs, a developer looking to learn new skills, or a student looking to gain experience with cloud computing, GCP’s free services can help you achieve your goals.
How to Setting up a free google cloud platform account
Setting up a free GCP account is a simple process that can be completed in just a few minutes. To get started, follow these steps:
- Go to the GCP website: https://cloud.google.com/
- Click on the “Try it free” button on the homepage.
- Create a Google account, or sign in with an existing one.
- Fill in the required information, such as your name and contact details.
- Review and accept the terms of service and privacy policy.
- Verify your email address by clicking on the verification link sent to your email.
Once your account is set up, you will be taken to the GCP console, where you can access and manage your resources.
It’s worth noting that, by signing up for a free account, you will also get a $300 free credit to use on any GCP service for the first 12 months, as well as a free trial period of several services including BigQuery, Cloud SQL and Cloud Spanner.
Additionally, GCP also offers free tiers for many of its services, which allow you to use the services for free within certain usage limits. These limits are designed to allow you to test out the services and learn how to use them, without incurring any charges.
It’s important to monitor your usage and costs, and to understand how the free tiers and free trial periods work, in order to avoid any unexpected charges. You can monitor your usage and costs by using the GCP billing console, which is accessible from the GCP console.
free services of google cloud platform
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a wide range of free services that can be used for different types of projects, including web development, data analysis, and more. Below is an overview of some of the most popular free services offered by GCP, as well as examples of how they can be used in real-world scenarios:
Compute Engine: This service allows you to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) in the cloud. You can use Compute Engine to run a wide variety of workloads, including web servers, databases, and data processing tasks. For example, a small startup could use Compute Engine to host a web application on a small number of VMs, while a larger enterprise could use it to run a large-scale data processing pipeline.
- App Engine: This service allows you to build and deploy web applications quickly and easily. App Engine supports multiple programming languages, including Python, Java, and Go. It also provides automatic scaling and load balancing. This service can be used to deploy a web application for a small business or a personal blog.
- Cloud Storage: This service allows you to store and retrieve data in the cloud. You can use Cloud Storage to store files, images, videos, and other types of data. For example, a media company could use Cloud Storage to store and distribute large video files, while a research organization could use it to store and share research data.
- Cloud SQL: This service allows you to run a MySQL or PostgreSQL database in the cloud. You can use Cloud SQL to store and manage data for your applications. For example, an e-commerce company could use Cloud SQL to store and manage customer data, while a healthcare organization could use it to store and manage patient data.
- Cloud Spanner: This service allows you to create and manage globally distributed relational databases. You can use Cloud Spanner to store and manage data for your applications. For example, a company with operations in multiple countries could use Cloud Spanner to store and manage data in a way that ensures low latency and high availability.
All these services are great options for businesses and developers to start testing and experimenting with GCP, and could be used for a variety of use cases such as hosting a small website, deploying a single container application, or running a small scale database.
Managing costs
Here are some tips for keeping costs low while using Google Cloud Platform’s (GCP) free services:
Monitor usage regularly: Use GCP’s monitoring and billing tools to track usage and stay within usage limits. You can set alerts to notify you when usage exceeds a certain threshold, and you can also view detailed usage reports to see which services are consuming the most resources.
Use pre-emptible instances: Pre-emptible instances are a cost-effective option for running batch jobs and other non-critical workloads. These instances are made available at a discounted rate and can be terminated by GCP at any time.
Consider custom machine types: Custom machine types allow you to configure the number of vCPUs and memory for your instances, allowing you to optimize your resources for your specific workloads.
Use automatic scaling: Use automatic scaling to adjust the number of instances in your deployment based on demand. This can help you avoid running unnecessary instances, which can save you money.
Use the free tier of services: GCP offers a free tier for many of its services, including Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and Cloud SQL. Make sure to take advantage of these free tiers, as they can help you save money on your GCP bill.
Use the Sustained Use Discounts: GCP offers discounts on instances that run for a significant portion of the month. The more you use an instance, the more discount you will receive.
Shut down or stop resources when not in use: GCP allows you to shut down or stop resources when not in use. This can help you save money on resources that you don’t need all the time.
Use Committed Use Discounts: You can save up to 57% on Compute Engine, Kubernetes Engine, and App Engine by committing to use specific resources for a period of time.
By following these tips, you can help keep your GCP costs low while taking full advantage of the platform’s free services.
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Some FAQS about google cloud platform
What do Google Cloud Platform do?
Google Cloud Platform is a collection of cloud computing services offered by Google, including storage, networking, databases, and machine learning services. It allows developers to build and host applications and websites on Google’s infrastructure.
Is Google Cloud better than AWS?
It depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user. Both Google Cloud and AWS have their own strengths and weaknesses.
What is the difference between Google Cloud and Google Cloud Platform?
Google Cloud is a suite of cloud computing services offered by Google, while Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is the specific set of infrastructure and platform services provided by Google for building, deploying, and managing applications on the Google Cloud.
Can I use Google Cloud Platform for free?
Yes, you can use Google Cloud Platform for free with certain limitations and usage limits.
Conclusion
In summary, the article provided tips for keeping costs low while using Google Cloud Platform’s (GCP) free services. These tips include regularly monitoring usage, using preemptible instances, custom machine types, automatic scaling, taking advantage of the free tier of services, using Sustained Use Discounts, shutting down or stopping resources when not in use, and using Committed Use Discounts. By following these tips, you can help keep your GCP costs low while taking full advantage of the platform’s free services.
If you’re looking for a reliable and cost-effective cloud platform for your next project, GCP is a great option to consider. And with a free account, you can test out all the features and functionalities of GCP, and see how it can benefit your project. Sign up for a free account today and start exploring the possibilities of GCP.
