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GCPcloud~5 mins

Compute commands (instances, disks) in GCP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

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Recall & Review
beginner
What command creates a new Compute Engine instance in Google Cloud?
Use gcloud compute instances create [INSTANCE_NAME] to create a new VM instance.
Click to reveal answer
beginner
How do you list all disks in your Google Cloud project?
Run gcloud compute disks list to see all disks available in your project.
Click to reveal answer
beginner
Which command deletes a Compute Engine instance?
Use gcloud compute instances delete [INSTANCE_NAME] to remove a VM instance.
Click to reveal answer
intermediate
How can you attach an existing disk to a VM instance?
Use gcloud compute instances attach-disk [INSTANCE_NAME] --disk [DISK_NAME] to attach a disk.
Click to reveal answer
intermediate
What command resizes a persistent disk in Google Cloud?
Use gcloud compute disks resize [DISK_NAME] --size [NEW_SIZE] to increase disk size.
Click to reveal answer
Which command lists all VM instances in your Google Cloud project?
Agcloud compute disks list
Bgcloud compute instances list
Cgcloud compute instances create
Dgcloud compute disks create
How do you delete a persistent disk in Google Cloud?
Agcloud compute disks resize [DISK_NAME]
Bgcloud compute instances delete [INSTANCE_NAME]
Cgcloud compute disks detach [DISK_NAME]
Dgcloud compute disks delete [DISK_NAME]
What flag is used to specify the disk when attaching it to an instance?
A--attach
B--instance
C--disk
D--name
Which command creates a new persistent disk?
Agcloud compute disks create [DISK_NAME]
Bgcloud compute instances create [INSTANCE_NAME]
Cgcloud compute disks list
Dgcloud compute disks resize [DISK_NAME]
To increase the size of a disk, which command do you use?
Agcloud compute disks resize [DISK_NAME] --size [NEW_SIZE]
Bgcloud compute disks create [DISK_NAME]
Cgcloud compute instances resize [INSTANCE_NAME]
Dgcloud compute disks delete [DISK_NAME]
Explain how to create, list, and delete a Compute Engine instance using gcloud commands.
Think about the lifecycle of a VM instance.
You got /3 concepts.
    Describe the steps and commands to attach an existing disk to a VM and then resize that disk.
    Focus on disk management commands.
    You got /2 concepts.

      Practice

      (1/5)
      1. What does the command gcloud compute instances list do?
      easy
      A. It shows all virtual machines in your project.
      B. It creates a new virtual machine.
      C. It deletes a virtual machine.
      D. It attaches a disk to a virtual machine.

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand the command purpose

        The command gcloud compute instances list is used to display existing virtual machines in your project.

      2. Step 2: Compare with other options

        Creating, deleting, or attaching disks require different commands, not this one.

      3. Final Answer:

        It shows all virtual machines in your project. -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        List instances = show VMs [OK]
      Hint: List commands show current resources, not create or delete [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Confusing list with create or delete commands
      • Not specifying resource type
      • Assuming it modifies resources
      2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to create a new VM instance named web-server in zone us-central1-a?
      easy
      A. gcloud instances create web-server --zone=us-central1-a
      B. gcloud create instance web-server zone us-central1-a
      C. gcloud compute instances create web-server --zone=us-central1-a
      D. gcloud compute create instance web-server --zone us-central1-a

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Identify correct command structure

        The correct command starts with gcloud compute instances create followed by the instance name and zone flag.

      2. Step 2: Check option syntax

        gcloud compute instances create web-server --zone=us-central1-a matches the correct syntax exactly with proper flags and order.

      3. Final Answer:

        gcloud compute instances create web-server --zone=us-central1-a -> Option C

      4. Quick Check:

        Create instance syntax = gcloud compute instances create web-server --zone=us-central1-a [OK]
      Hint: Remember: 'gcloud compute instances create' + name + --zone [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Mixing order of words in command
      • Omitting 'compute' or 'instances'
      • Using wrong flag format
      3. What will be the output of the command gcloud compute disks list --filter="zone:(us-central1-a)" if there are two disks named disk1 and disk2 in zone us-central1-a and one disk named disk3 in zone us-east1-b?
      medium
      A. Lists disk1, disk2, and disk3
      B. Shows an error due to filter syntax
      C. Lists only disk3
      D. Lists only disk1 and disk2

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand the filter usage

        The filter limits results to disks in zone us-central1-a only.

      2. Step 2: Apply filter to disk list

        Disks disk1 and disk2 are in us-central1-a, so they appear; disk3 is in a different zone and is excluded.

      3. Final Answer:

        Lists only disk1 and disk2 -> Option D

      4. Quick Check:

        Filter by zone shows matching disks only [OK]
      Hint: Filter narrows results to matching zone disks only [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Assuming filter includes all disks
      • Misreading filter syntax
      • Expecting syntax error incorrectly
      4. You run gcloud compute instances delete my-vm but get an error saying the zone is missing. What is the best fix?
      medium
      A. Add --project=PROJECT_ID flag instead.
      B. Add the flag --zone=ZONE_NAME with the correct zone.
      C. Run the command without any flags again.
      D. Use gcloud delete instances my-vm instead.

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Identify missing required parameter

        The error indicates the zone is not specified, which is required to delete an instance.

      2. Step 2: Correct the command by adding zone

        Adding --zone=ZONE_NAME specifies the location of the instance to delete.

      3. Final Answer:

        Add the flag --zone=ZONE_NAME with the correct zone. -> Option B

      4. Quick Check:

        Zone flag required for instance delete [OK]
      Hint: Always specify zone when deleting or managing instances [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Ignoring zone requirement
      • Using wrong command syntax
      • Assuming project flag fixes zone error
      5. You want to create a new persistent disk named data-disk of size 100GB in zone europe-west1-b and attach it to an existing instance app-server. Which sequence of commands is correct?
      hard
      A. 1) gcloud compute disks create data-disk --size=100GB --zone=europe-west1-b
      2) gcloud compute instances attach-disk app-server --disk=data-disk --zone=europe-west1-b
      B. 1) gcloud compute instances attach-disk app-server --disk=data-disk --zone=europe-west1-b
      2) gcloud compute disks create data-disk --size=100GB --zone=europe-west1-b
      C. 1) gcloud compute disks create data-disk --zone=europe-west1-b
      2) gcloud compute instances attach-disk app-server --disk=data-disk
      D. 1) gcloud compute disks create data-disk --size=100 --zone=europe-west1-b
      2) gcloud compute instances attach-disk app-server --disk=data-disk --zone=europe-west1-b

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Create the disk first with correct size and zone

        The disk must be created before attaching. 1) gcloud compute disks create data-disk --size=100GB --zone=europe-west1-b
        2) gcloud compute instances attach-disk app-server --disk=data-disk --zone=europe-west1-b uses correct size format '100GB' and specifies zone.

      2. Step 2: Attach the created disk to the instance with zone specified

        Attaching requires the disk and instance zone flags; 1) gcloud compute disks create data-disk --size=100GB --zone=europe-west1-b
        2) gcloud compute instances attach-disk app-server --disk=data-disk --zone=europe-west1-b includes these correctly.

      3. Final Answer:

        First create disk with size and zone, then attach with disk and zone flags. -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        Create disk before attach, specify size with GB [OK]
      Hint: Create disk before attach; size needs units like GB [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Attaching disk before creating it
      • Omitting size units (GB)
      • Missing zone flags on commands