close
Cloud Storage

How to Create a Virtual Machine on Google Cloud: A Step-by-Step Guide

By

In this article, we will guide you on how to create a virtual machine on Google Cloud. This step-by-step guide will help you to set up your virtual machine in no time. Google Cloud provides a simple and easy-to-use interface to create and manage virtual machines.

Introduction to Google Cloud

Google Cloud is a cloud computing platform that offers various services such as computing, storage, and networking. It provides a simple and efficient way to create virtual machines in minutes. Google Cloud offers a wide range of virtual machine types with different configurations and specifications.

Pre-requisites

Before we begin, you will need the following:

  • A Google Cloud account
  • A project in Google Cloud
  • Access to the Google Cloud Console
  • Basic knowledge of virtual machines and their configurations

Steps to Create a Virtual Machine on Google Cloud

Step 1: Create a new project

The first step is to create a new project in Google Cloud. To create a new project, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Google Cloud Console.
  2. Click on the project dropdown menu at the top of the page.
  3. Click on the “New Project” button.
  4. Enter a name for your project.
  5. Click on the “Create” button.

Step 2: Create a virtual machine instance

Once you have created a project, the next step is to create a virtual machine instance. To create a virtual machine instance, follow these steps:

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, click on the “Compute Engine” option in the sidebar.
  2. Click on the “Create Instance” button.
  3. Enter a name for your instance.
  4. Select the region and zone where you want to create your instance.
  5. Select the machine type for your instance.
  6. Select the boot disk for your instance.
  7. Configure the networking settings for your instance.
  8. Click on the “Create” button.

Step 3: Connect to your virtual machine

Once you have created a virtual machine instance, the next step is to connect to it. To connect to your virtual machine, follow these steps:

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, click on the “Compute Engine” option in the sidebar.
  2. Click on the name of your virtual machine instance.
  3. Click on the “SSH” button next to your virtual machine instance.
  4. A new window will open, and you will be connected to your virtual machine instance.

Step 4: Configure your virtual machine

Once you have connected to your virtual machine, the next step is to configure it. To configure your virtual machine, follow these steps:

  1. Update the software packages on your virtual machine by running the command: sudo apt-get update.
  2. Install any necessary software packages by running the command: sudo apt-get install <package-name>.
  3. Configure any necessary settings for your virtual machine.

Step 5: Save your virtual machine

Once you have configured your virtual machine, the next step is to save it. To save your virtual machine, follow these steps:

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, click on the “Compute Engine” option in the sidebar.
  2. Click on the name of your virtual machine instance.
  3. Click on the “Stop” button to stop your virtual machine.
  4. Once your virtual machine is stopped, click on the “Create Image” button.
  5. Enter a name for your image.
  6. Click on the “Create” button.

Step 6: Start your virtual machine

Once you have configured your virtual machine, the next step is to start it. To start your virtual machine, follow these steps:

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, click on the “Compute Engine” option in the sidebar.
  2. Click on the name of your virtual machine instance.
  3. Click on the “Start” button at the top of the page.
  4. A new window will open, and you will see the boot-up sequence of your virtual machine.
  5. Once the boot-up sequence is complete, your virtual machine will be started, and you will be able to connect to it.

It may take a few minutes for your virtual machine to start up, depending on its size and configuration. Once it is up and running, you can connect to it and start using it.

Step 7: Create a new virtual machine from your image

Once you have started your virtual machine, the next step is to create a new virtual machine from your saved image. To create a new virtual machine from your saved image, follow these steps:

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, click on the “Compute Engine” option in the sidebar.
  2. Click on the “Create Instance” button.
  3. Enter a name for your new virtual machine.
  4. Under the “Boot disk” section, select “Custom images”.
  5. Select the image that you have saved.
  6. Configure any necessary settings for your new virtual machine.
  7. Click on the “Create” button.

Step 8: Connect to your new virtual machine

Once you have created a new virtual machine from your saved image, the next step is to connect to it. To connect to your new virtual machine, follow these steps:

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, click on the “Compute Engine” option in the sidebar.
  2. Click on the name of your new virtual machine instance.
  3. Click on the “SSH” button next to your new virtual machine instance.
  4. A new window will open, and you will be connected to your new virtual machine instance.

Step 9: Manage your virtual machine

Once you have connected to your virtual machine, you can manage it using various tools and techniques. Some of the common tools and techniques to manage a virtual machine on Google Cloud are:

  • Google Cloud SDK: It is a command-line interface tool that allows you to manage your virtual machines and other Google Cloud services.
  • Google Cloud Console: It is a web-based interface that allows you to manage your virtual machines and other Google Cloud services.
  • APIs: Google Cloud provides APIs that allow you to manage your virtual machines programmatically.

Step 10: Delete your virtual machine

If you no longer need your virtual machine, you can delete it to avoid any unnecessary charges. To delete your virtual machine, follow these steps:

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, click on the “Compute Engine” option in the sidebar.
  2. Click on the name of the virtual machine instance that you want to delete.
  3. Click on the “Delete” button.
  4. Confirm the deletion by clicking on the “Delete” button again.

Conclusion

Creating a virtual machine on Google Cloud is a simple and easy process. By following this step-by-step guide, you can create and manage your virtual machines on Google Cloud with ease. Remember to always save your virtual machines as images, as it allows you to quickly create new instances without having to go through the entire setup process again.

FAQs

  1. Can I create multiple virtual machines in the same project on Google Cloud?
  • Yes, you can create multiple virtual machines in the same project on Google Cloud.
  1. Can I change the machine type of my virtual machine after creating it?
  • Yes, you can change the machine type of your virtual machine after creating it.
  1. Can I connect to my virtual machine using a remote desktop protocol?
  • Yes, you can connect to your virtual machine using a remote desktop protocol.
  1. Is it possible to resize the disk of my virtual machine after creating it?
  • Yes, you can resize the disk of your virtual machine after creating it.
  1. How much does it cost to create and manage virtual machines on Google Cloud?
  • The cost of creating and managing virtual machines on Google Cloud varies based on various factors such as the machine type, disk size, and usage. You can use the Google Cloud pricing calculator to estimate the cost.

Related Posts