Chapter 1. Infrastructure
The text introduces cloud computing as an on-demand service for accessing computing resources over the Internet, emphasizing its benefits such as flexibility, efficiency, strategic value, security, and cost-effectiveness. It presents Google Cloud’s compute options and various cloud computing models through an analogy to housing options, from on-premises infrastructure to Software as a Service (SaaS). The document specifically focuses on Google Cloud’s Compute Engine, detailing its features, machine types, availability, pricing, security measures, and use cases. It also introduces containers and Kubernetes, explaining their advantages, the challenges of managing Kubernetes clusters, and the solution provided by Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). GKE is highlighted for its ease of use, scalability, security, and management features, making it an effective platform for deploying and managing containerized applications.