Custom domains in GCP - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Custom domains

User owns domain

↓

Verify domain ownership

↓

Create DNS records

↓

Map domain to GCP service

↓

GCP provisions SSL certificate

↓

User accesses service via custom domain

This flow shows how a user verifies their domain, sets DNS records, maps it to a GCP service, and accesses it securely.

Execution Sample

GCP

1. Verify domain ownership in GCP Console
2. Add DNS A and CNAME records at domain registrar
3. Map domain to App Engine or Cloud Run
4. Wait for SSL certificate provisioning
5. Access service via custom domain

Steps to connect a custom domain to a GCP service with secure HTTPS.

Process Table

Step	Action	Input/Condition	Result	Notes
1	Verify domain ownership	User submits domain	Ownership verified	GCP confirms user controls domain
2	Create DNS records	Add A and CNAME records	DNS records propagate	Propagation can take minutes to hours
3	Map domain to service	Select domain in GCP service settings	Domain linked to service	Service ready to respond to domain
4	Provision SSL certificate	Automatic by GCP	SSL certificate active	Enables HTTPS access
5	Access service	User visits custom domain URL	Service loads securely	Custom domain fully functional

💡 Process completes when SSL is active and service responds on custom domain

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
Domain Ownership	Unverified	Verified	Verified	Verified	Verified	Verified
DNS Records	None	None	Created	Created	Created	Created and propagated
Domain Mapping	Not linked	Not linked	Linked	Linked	Linked	Linked
SSL Certificate	None	None	None	Provisioning	Provisioning	Active
Service Access	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable	Available via custom domain

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do I need to verify domain ownership before mapping it?

Verification proves you control the domain, preventing others from linking your domain to their services. See execution_table step 1.

What happens if DNS records are not set correctly?

The domain won't point to your service, so users can't reach it. This is shown in execution_table step 2 where DNS records must be created and propagated.

Why does SSL certificate provisioning take time?

GCP requests certificates from trusted authorities, which can take minutes. Until active, HTTPS won't work. See execution_table step 4.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, at which step is the domain ownership verified?

A Step 1

B Step 2

C Step 3

D Step 4

💡 Hint

Check the 'Result' column in step 1 for ownership verification.

According to variable_tracker, what is the state of SSL Certificate after Step 3?

A Active

B Provisioning

C None

D Expired

💡 Hint

Look at the SSL Certificate row under 'After Step 3' column.

If DNS records are not created, what will be the final state of Service Access?

A Available via custom domain

B Unavailable

C Partially available

D Redirected to default domain

💡 Hint

Refer to variable_tracker row 'DNS Records' and 'Service Access' to see dependency.

Concept Snapshot

Custom domains in GCP:
1. Verify domain ownership to prove control.
2. Add DNS A and CNAME records at your registrar.
3. Map domain to your GCP service (App Engine, Cloud Run).
4. GCP provisions SSL certificate automatically.
5. Access your service securely via your custom domain.

Full Transcript

To use a custom domain with a Google Cloud Platform service, first verify that you own the domain. This prevents unauthorized use. Then, create DNS records at your domain registrar to point the domain to your GCP service. Next, map the domain in your GCP service settings. GCP will then automatically provision an SSL certificate to enable secure HTTPS access. Finally, users can access your service using the custom domain securely. Each step changes the state of domain ownership verification, DNS records, domain mapping, SSL certificate status, and service accessibility.