Creating a VM instance in GCP - Step-by-Step CLI Walkthrough

Introduction

Sometimes you need a computer in the cloud to run your programs or store data. Creating a VM instance means making a virtual computer that you can use remotely. This helps you run apps without needing your own physical machine.

When you want to test software on a clean computer without affecting your own device

When you need a server to host a website or application accessible from anywhere

When you want to run a database that multiple users can access securely

When you need extra computing power for a short time without buying hardware

When you want to learn cloud computing by practicing on a virtual machine

Commands

This command creates a new virtual machine named 'example-vm' in the 'us-central1-a' zone. It uses a medium-sized machine type and a Debian 11 operating system image. This sets up the VM ready to use.

Terminal

gcloud compute instances create example-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud

Expected Output

Created [https://www.googleapis.com/compute/v1/projects/my-project/zones/us-central1-a/instances/example-vm].

NAME       ZONE           MACHINE_TYPE  PREEMPTIBLE  INTERNAL_IP  EXTERNAL_IP     STATUS

example-vm us-central1-a  e2-medium                 10.128.0.2   34.68.123.45    RUNNING

→

--zone - Specifies the location where the VM will be created

→

--machine-type - Defines the size and power of the VM

→

--image-family - Chooses the operating system family for the VM

→

--image-project - Specifies the project that contains the OS image

This command lists the details of the VM named 'example-vm' to confirm it was created and is running.

Terminal

gcloud compute instances list --filter="name=example-vm"

Expected Output

NAME       ZONE           MACHINE_TYPE  PREEMPTIBLE  INTERNAL_IP  EXTERNAL_IP     STATUS

example-vm us-central1-a  e2-medium                 10.128.0.2   34.68.123.45    RUNNING

→

--filter - Filters the list to show only the VM with the specified name

This command connects you to the VM named 'example-vm' using SSH so you can use it like a remote computer.

Terminal

gcloud compute ssh example-vm --zone=us-central1-a

Expected Output

WARNING: The SSH command is using OS Login. If you want to disable OS Login, see https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/oslogin.



Welcome to Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)!



example-vm:~$

→

--zone - Specifies the zone of the VM to connect to

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: creating a VM instance means making a virtual computer in the cloud that you can use remotely.

Common Mistakes

Not specifying the zone when creating or connecting to the VM

The command fails because the cloud needs to know where to create or find the VM

Always include the --zone flag with the correct zone name

Using an invalid or unsupported machine type

The VM creation fails because the machine type does not exist or is not available in the chosen zone

Check available machine types for the zone and use a valid one like e2-medium

Trying to SSH into the VM before it is fully created and running

The SSH connection will fail because the VM is not ready to accept connections

Verify the VM status is RUNNING before connecting with SSH

Summary

Use 'gcloud compute instances create' with proper flags to make a VM instance.

Check the VM status with 'gcloud compute instances list' filtered by name.

Connect to the VM using 'gcloud compute ssh' once it is running.

Practice

1. What does creating a VM instance in Google Cloud allow you to do?

easy

A. Create a database

B. Store files permanently

C. Run a virtual computer in the cloud

D. Send emails automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand VM instance purpose

   A VM instance is a virtual machine, like a computer inside the cloud.

2. Step 2: Identify correct function

   Running a virtual computer matches the VM instance role, unlike storing files or sending emails.

3. Final Answer:

   Run a virtual computer in the cloud -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   VM instance = virtual computer [OK]

Hint: VM means virtual machine, a computer in the cloud [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing VM with storage service
• Thinking VM creates databases directly
• Assuming VM sends emails automatically

2. Which command correctly creates a VM instance named my-vm in zone us-central1-a with machine type e2-medium and image debian-11?

easy

A. gcloud create vm my-vm --zone us-central1-a --type e2-medium --image debian-11

B. gcloud compute vm create my-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image debian-11

C. gcloud instances create --name my-vm --zone us-central1-a --machine e2-medium --image debian-11

D. gcloud compute instances create my-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud

Solution

1. Step 1: Check correct command structure

   The correct command starts with 'gcloud compute instances create' followed by the instance name.

2. Step 2: Verify flags and parameters

   Flags like '--zone', '--machine-type', '--image-family', and '--image-project' must be exact and use '=' sign.

3. Final Answer:

   gcloud compute instances create my-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Correct gcloud syntax = gcloud compute instances create my-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud [OK]

Hint: Use 'gcloud compute instances create' with exact flags [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong command verbs like 'create vm'
• Missing '=' in flags
• Wrong flag names like '--machine' instead of '--machine-type'

3. What will happen if you run this command?

gcloud compute instances create test-vm --zone=us-east1-b --machine-type=n1-standard-1 --image-family=ubuntu-2004-lts --image-project=ubuntu-os-cloud

medium

A. The command will fail due to missing machine type

B. A VM named test-vm will be created in zone us-east1-b with Ubuntu 20.04 OS

C. A VM will be created but with default image, not Ubuntu

D. The VM will be created in the wrong zone

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze command parameters

   The command specifies instance name, zone, machine type, image family, and image project correctly.

2. Step 2: Understand image selection

   Using '--image-family=ubuntu-2004-lts' with '--image-project=ubuntu-os-cloud' selects Ubuntu 20.04 LTS image.

3. Final Answer:

   A VM named test-vm will be created in zone us-east1-b with Ubuntu 20.04 OS -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct flags create VM with specified OS [OK]

Hint: Image family + project picks correct OS image [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing image-family with image name
• Omitting image-project causes errors
• Wrong zone spelling

4. You tried to create a VM with:

gcloud compute instances create vm1 --zone=us-west1-c --machine-type=e2-small --image=debian-10

The command failed with an error about the image. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. The image name 'debian-10' is incorrect or deprecated

B. The zone 'us-west1-c' does not exist

C. The machine type 'e2-small' is invalid

D. You forgot to specify the project

Solution

1. Step 1: Check image parameter validity

   Using '--image=debian-10' is often invalid because images require full name or image family with project.

2. Step 2: Understand error cause

   Image errors usually mean the image name is wrong or deprecated, not zone or machine type.

3. Final Answer:

   The image name 'debian-10' is incorrect or deprecated -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Image errors = wrong image name [OK]

Hint: Use image family and project, not just image name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming zone or machine type caused image error
• Not specifying image project with image family
• Using outdated image names

5. You want to create a VM instance that automatically allows HTTP traffic and uses a custom startup script to install software. Which command correctly achieves this?

hard

A. gcloud compute instances create web-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --tags=http-server --metadata=startup-script='sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y nginx'

B. gcloud compute instances create web-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image=debian-11 --allow-http --script='install nginx'

C. gcloud compute instances create web-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --firewall=http --startup='apt-get install nginx'

D. gcloud compute instances create web-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image=debian-11 --http --metadata=startup='install nginx'

Solution

1. Step 1: Enable HTTP traffic with tags

   Using '--tags=http-server' allows HTTP traffic via firewall rules.

2. Step 2: Add startup script correctly

   '--metadata=startup-script=' followed by the script installs nginx on startup.

3. Step 3: Verify image and machine type

   Using '--image-family=debian-11' and '--image-project=debian-cloud' is correct for Debian 11.

4. Final Answer:

   gcloud compute instances create web-vm --zone=us-central1-a --machine-type=e2-medium --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --tags=http-server --metadata=startup-script='sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y nginx' -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Tags + metadata=startup-script = correct setup [OK]

Hint: Use --tags for HTTP and --metadata for startup script [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong flags like --allow-http or --http
• Incorrect metadata key name
• Not specifying image project with image family