Serverless vs GKE decision in GCP - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Serverless computing in GCP?

Serverless computing means you run your code without managing servers. GCP handles the infrastructure, scaling, and maintenance automatically.

beginner

What is Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)?

GKE is a managed service to run containerized applications using Kubernetes. You control the cluster and how your apps run inside it.

intermediate

When should you choose Serverless over GKE?

Choose Serverless when you want simple deployment, automatic scaling, and no server management. It fits well for event-driven or small apps.

intermediate

What are reasons to pick GKE instead of Serverless?

Pick GKE when you need full control over your environment, complex app orchestration, or want to run many containers with custom settings.

intermediate

How does scaling differ between Serverless and GKE?

Serverless scales automatically based on demand without user action. GKE requires configuring autoscaling or manual scaling of nodes and pods.

Which option best describes Serverless computing?

A You manage servers and scaling manually

B Infrastructure is fully managed and scales automatically

C You run virtual machines with full control

D You deploy containers without orchestration

Serverless means the cloud provider manages infrastructure and scaling automatically.

What is a key benefit of using GKE?

A No need to manage containers

B Automatic scaling without configuration

C Full control over container orchestration

D No need to write code

GKE gives you control over how containers run and scale using Kubernetes.

When is Serverless a better choice than GKE?

A For simple event-driven apps with variable load

B When you want to manage infrastructure

C For complex multi-container apps

D When you need custom networking

Serverless fits simple apps that respond to events and scale automatically.

Which is true about scaling in GKE?

A You must configure autoscaling or scale manually

B It never scales

C It scales automatically without any setup

D Scaling is handled by serverless functions

GKE requires you to set up autoscaling or scale your cluster manually.

What is a disadvantage of Serverless compared to GKE?

A It requires managing Kubernetes clusters

B It needs manual server maintenance

C It cannot scale automatically

D You have less control over the environment

Serverless abstracts infrastructure, so you have less control over environment details.

Explain the main differences between Serverless and GKE in GCP.

Think about control, scaling, and complexity.

Describe scenarios where you would choose Serverless over GKE and vice versa.

Focus on app complexity and operational needs.