Instance templates in GCP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is an instance template in Google Cloud Platform?

An instance template is a reusable configuration that defines the settings for virtual machine instances, like machine type, boot disk image, and network settings. It helps create consistent VM instances easily.

beginner

Why use instance templates instead of creating VM instances manually?

Instance templates save time and reduce errors by letting you create many VM instances with the same settings quickly. They ensure consistency and simplify scaling your infrastructure.

intermediate

Can you change an instance template after creating it?

No, instance templates are immutable. To change settings, you create a new template and use it for new instances or managed instance groups.

intermediate

How do instance templates relate to managed instance groups?

Managed instance groups use instance templates to create and manage identical VM instances automatically, helping with load balancing and auto-scaling.

beginner

What are some key settings you define in an instance template?

You define machine type, boot disk image, network tags, metadata, and service accounts in an instance template.

What is the main purpose of an instance template in GCP?

A To create firewall rules

B To store data permanently

C To define a reusable VM configuration

D To monitor VM performance

Instance templates define reusable VM configurations for creating consistent instances.

Can you edit an existing instance template in GCP?

A No, you must create a new template

B Only if no instances use it

C Yes, anytime

D Only through the API

Instance templates are immutable; you create a new one to change settings.

Which GCP service commonly uses instance templates to manage VM instances?

A Cloud Storage

B Managed Instance Groups

C Cloud Functions

D BigQuery

Managed Instance Groups use instance templates to create and manage VM instances.

Which of the following is NOT typically set in an instance template?

A Machine type

B Network tags

C Boot disk image

D User passwords

User passwords are not set in instance templates; security is managed differently.

Why are instance templates useful for scaling VM instances?

A They allow quick creation of identical VMs

B They reduce VM costs automatically

C They monitor VM health

D They backup VM data

Instance templates enable fast creation of identical VM instances, helping scale easily.

Explain what an instance template is and why it is useful in Google Cloud Platform.

Think about how you can create many similar VMs without repeating settings.

Describe how instance templates work with managed instance groups to support auto-scaling.

Consider how groups of VMs grow or shrink automatically using templates.