Deploying container images in GCP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a container image in cloud deployment?

A container image is a lightweight, standalone package that includes everything needed to run a piece of software, such as code, runtime, system tools, and libraries. It ensures the software runs the same anywhere.

beginner

What is Google Container Registry (GCR)?

Google Container Registry is a secure, private storage service on Google Cloud where you can store and manage your container images before deploying them.

intermediate

Why use Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) for deploying containers?

GKE automates container deployment, scaling, and management. It helps run containers reliably and efficiently without managing servers directly.

intermediate

What command is used to build a container image with Google Cloud Build?

The command is: gcloud builds submit --tag gcr.io/[PROJECT-ID]/[IMAGE-NAME]. It packages your app and uploads the image to Google Container Registry.

intermediate

How do you deploy a container image to Cloud Run?

Use the command: gcloud run deploy [SERVICE-NAME] --image gcr.io/[PROJECT-ID]/[IMAGE-NAME] --platform managed. Cloud Run runs your container without managing servers.

What does a container image include?

A Only system tools

B Only source code

C Code, runtime, system tools, and libraries

D Only runtime environment

A container image packages code, runtime, system tools, and libraries to run software consistently.

Where do you store container images in Google Cloud?

A Google Container Registry

B Google Drive

C Google Compute Engine

D Google BigQuery

Google Container Registry is designed to store and manage container images securely.

Which service automates container orchestration in GCP?

A Cloud Storage

B Cloud SQL

C Cloud Functions

D Google Kubernetes Engine

Google Kubernetes Engine manages container orchestration, scaling, and deployment.

What command uploads your container image to GCR using Cloud Build?

A gcloud run deploy

B gcloud builds submit --tag gcr.io/[PROJECT-ID]/[IMAGE-NAME]

C gcloud compute instances create

D docker pull

This command builds and uploads the container image to Google Container Registry.

Which command deploys a container image to Cloud Run?

A gcloud run deploy [SERVICE-NAME] --image gcr.io/[PROJECT-ID]/[IMAGE-NAME] --platform managed

B gcloud builds submit

C kubectl apply

D docker run

This command deploys your container image to Cloud Run, a serverless platform.

Explain the steps to deploy a container image on Google Cloud from building to running.

Think about packaging, storing, and running your app.

Describe the benefits of using managed services like Cloud Run or GKE for container deployment.

Focus on ease and reliability.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of deploying a container image on Google Cloud Run?

easy

A. To run applications without managing servers

B. To create virtual machines manually

C. To store data in a database

D. To write code directly in the cloud console

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what Cloud Run does

   Cloud Run runs containerized apps without needing you to manage servers.

2. Step 2: Compare options to Cloud Run's purpose

   Options B, C, and D describe other cloud tasks, not Cloud Run's main use.

3. Final Answer:

   To run applications without managing servers -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Cloud Run = serverless app running [OK]

Hint: Cloud Run runs apps without servers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Cloud Run with VM creation
• Thinking Cloud Run stores data
• Assuming Cloud Run is a coding environment

2. Which command correctly deploys a container image to Cloud Run in the us-central1 region?

easy

A. gcloud deploy run myapp --image=gcr.io/myproject/myimage --zone=us-central1

B. gcloud run deploy myapp --image=gcr.io/myproject/myimage --region=us-central1

C. gcloud run create myapp --image=gcr.io/myproject/myimage --zone=us-central1

D. gcloud run deploy --image=myimage gcr.io/myproject --region=us-central1

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct gcloud command syntax

   The correct command is 'gcloud run deploy' followed by service name, image, and region.

2. Step 2: Check each option for syntax errors

   gcloud run deploy myapp --image=gcr.io/myproject/myimage --region=us-central1 matches correct syntax. Options B, C, and D have wrong commands or argument order.

3. Final Answer:

   gcloud run deploy myapp --image=gcr.io/myproject/myimage --region=us-central1 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct deploy syntax = gcloud run deploy myapp --image=gcr.io/myproject/myimage --region=us-central1 [OK]

Hint: Use 'gcloud run deploy' with --image and --region [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'gcloud deploy run' instead of 'gcloud run deploy'
• Confusing --zone with --region
• Incorrect argument order

3. Given this command:
gcloud run deploy myservice --image=gcr.io/myproj/app:v1 --region=us-east1
What happens after running it?

medium

A. The container image is deployed as a Cloud Run service named 'myservice' in us-east1 region

B. A virtual machine named 'myservice' is created in us-east1

C. The image is uploaded to Google Container Registry only

D. The command fails because region must be us-central1

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the deploy command effect

   The command deploys the container image as a Cloud Run service with the given name and region.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   B is wrong because no VM is created. C is wrong because deployment runs the image, not just upload. A is wrong because us-east1 is a valid region.

3. Final Answer:

   The container image is deployed as a Cloud Run service named 'myservice' in us-east1 region -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Deploy command = service deployment [OK]

Hint: Deploy runs container as service, not VM or just upload [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking deploy creates VM
• Confusing upload with deploy
• Assuming region must be us-central1

4. You run:
gcloud run deploy --image=gcr.io/myproj/app:v2 --region=us-west1
But get an error: "Service name is required." What is the fix?

medium

A. Remove the --region flag

B. Change --image to --container-image

C. Add the service name after 'deploy', e.g., 'gcloud run deploy myservice ...'

D. Run the command without 'gcloud run'

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify missing required argument

   The error says service name is missing; the deploy command needs a service name after 'deploy'.

2. Step 2: Fix the command by adding service name

   Add the service name, e.g., 'myservice', after 'deploy' to fix the error.

3. Final Answer:

   Add the service name after 'deploy', e.g., 'gcloud run deploy myservice ...' -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Deploy needs service name [OK]

Hint: Always specify service name after 'deploy' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting service name
• Changing unrelated flags
• Removing required command parts

5. You want to deploy a new version of your app container image to Cloud Run and keep the same service URL. Which command should you use?

hard

A. gcloud container deploy myapp --image=gcr.io/myproj/app:v2

B. gcloud run create myapp --image=gcr.io/myproj/app:v2 --region=us-central1

C. gcloud run deploy --image=gcr.io/myproj/app:v2 --region=us-central1

D. gcloud run deploy myapp --image=gcr.io/myproj/app:v2 --region=us-central1

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand updating a Cloud Run service

   To update an existing service and keep its URL, use 'gcloud run deploy' with the same service name.

2. Step 2: Check options for correct update command

   gcloud run deploy myapp --image=gcr.io/myproj/app:v2 --region=us-central1 uses 'deploy' with service name and new image, which updates the service. Options A, B, and D are incorrect commands or missing service name.

3. Final Answer:

   gcloud run deploy myapp --image=gcr.io/myproj/app:v2 --region=us-central1 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Deploy with same service name updates app [OK]

Hint: Use 'deploy' with same service name to update [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'create' instead of 'deploy' to update
• Omitting service name
• Using wrong gcloud commands