Common GCP interview questions
Question 1
What is Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and what are its main services?
Answer 1
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a suite of cloud computing services offered by Google. Its main services include computing (Compute Engine, App Engine), storage (Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL), networking (VPC, Cloud Load Balancing), and machine learning (AI Platform). GCP enables businesses to build, deploy, and scale applications using Google’s infrastructure.
Question 2
How does GCP ensure data security and compliance?
Answer 2
GCP ensures data security through encryption at rest and in transit, identity and access management (IAM), and regular security audits. It also complies with major industry standards such as ISO, GDPR, and HIPAA. GCP provides tools like Cloud Security Command Center to monitor and manage security risks.
Question 3
What is the difference between Compute Engine and App Engine in GCP?
Answer 3
Compute Engine provides virtual machines that give users full control over their infrastructure, suitable for custom workloads. App Engine is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that automatically manages infrastructure, scaling, and patching, ideal for developers who want to focus on code without managing servers.
Describe the last project you worked on as a GCP, including any obstacles and your contributions to its success.
The last project I worked on involved migrating a large e-commerce platform to GCP. I designed the architecture using Compute Engine, Cloud SQL, and Cloud Storage, ensuring high availability and scalability. I implemented CI/CD pipelines and set up monitoring with Cloud Operations Suite. The migration improved performance and reduced operational costs. I also trained the client’s team on GCP best practices.
Additional GCP interview questions
Here are some additional questions grouped by category that you can practice answering in preparation for an interview:
General interview questions
Question 1
How do you manage costs in GCP?
Answer 1
Cost management in GCP involves using tools like the Google Cloud Pricing Calculator, setting up budgets and alerts, and leveraging committed use discounts. Regularly reviewing billing reports and optimizing resource usage, such as shutting down unused instances, also helps control costs.
Question 2
What is a VPC and why is it important in GCP?
Answer 2
A Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is a virtual network that provides connectivity for GCP resources. It allows you to define IP ranges, subnets, and firewall rules, ensuring secure and efficient communication between resources. VPCs are essential for isolating workloads and managing network security.
Question 3
Explain the role of IAM in GCP.
Answer 3
Identity and Access Management (IAM) in GCP allows you to control who can access resources and what actions they can perform. It uses roles and permissions to enforce the principle of least privilege. IAM is crucial for maintaining security and compliance in cloud environments.
GCP interview questions about experience and background
Question 1
What GCP certifications do you hold and how have they helped you in your role?
Answer 1
I hold the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect and Associate Cloud Engineer certifications. These certifications have deepened my understanding of GCP services and best practices, enabling me to design robust solutions and troubleshoot issues more effectively.
Question 2
Describe a challenging problem you solved using GCP.
Answer 2
I once migrated a legacy on-premises application to GCP, which involved re-architecting the application for cloud scalability and reliability. The challenge was ensuring minimal downtime and data consistency, which I addressed by using Database Migration Service and phased cutover strategies.
Question 3
How do you stay updated with the latest GCP features and best practices?
Answer 3
I regularly follow Google Cloud blogs, attend webinars, and participate in online communities. I also experiment with new features in sandbox environments and complete relevant online courses to keep my skills current.
In-depth GCP interview questions
Question 1
How would you design a highly available and scalable web application on GCP?
Answer 1
To design a highly available and scalable web application on GCP, I would use managed services like App Engine or GKE for compute, Cloud SQL or Firestore for data, and Cloud Load Balancing for traffic distribution. I would deploy resources across multiple regions and zones to ensure redundancy and use autoscaling to handle variable loads.
Question 2
Describe how you would implement CI/CD on GCP.
Answer 2
I would use Cloud Build for automating builds and tests, Cloud Source Repositories or GitHub for version control, and Cloud Deploy for managing deployments. Integrating these services allows for automated, consistent, and reliable delivery of code changes to production environments.
Question 3
How do you monitor and troubleshoot applications in GCP?
Answer 3
I use Cloud Monitoring and Cloud Logging to collect metrics and logs from applications and infrastructure. Setting up alerts helps proactively identify issues, and tools like Error Reporting and Trace assist in diagnosing and resolving performance bottlenecks or errors.