5 min read

Understanding Google Cloud Infrastructure

As more businesses migrate to the cloud, it is essential to understand how Google Cloud’s infrastructure can benefit your processes and performance.

Cloud computing gives organizations of all sizes the ability to innovate and make informed decisions faster. Moving to this infrastructure can completely transform the way your team communicates, operates, and responds to data.

In today’s highly competitive digital age, the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) can help you remain on the cutting edge of cloud technology. In order to make the most of Google Cloud products and services, you must know what they offer and how they work.

 

Defining Google Cloud Infrastructure

When you think of cloud infrastructure, it helps to imagine traditional IT infrastructure. This would consist of your hardware (such as desktop computers and routers), software, servers, networks, facilities or physical plants, and data centers. These components are all necessary for operating and managing enterprise IT environments and services.

Similarly, Google Cloud infrastructure is defined as all the components needed for cloud computing. This includes hardware, software, storage, servers, and networks. Altogether, these components support the requirements for hosting services and applications on the Cloud. The difference between this and traditional IT infrastructure is that cloud providers give customers access to resources hosted remotely in the cloud.

Companies can choose a public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud. A public cloud is an IT model where a third-party service provider runs infrastructure and on-demand computing services. Public cloud services are available to remote users worldwide over the public internet. Customers can usually take advantage of scalability, pay-per-use pricing, greater redundancy, and high availability.

Private clouds are cloud computing environments dedicated to a single end-user with isolated access. They are traditionally managed on-premises, but some customers may build a private cloud on rented, off-premises data centers. Organizations might choose private cloud computing to meet regulatory compliance requirements more easily or secure sensitive data.

A hybrid cloud combines at least two computing environments that share information and run the same set of applications. For example, a hybrid cloud may include two or more public clouds, two or more private clouds, or one public and one private cloud. This allows applications to work consistently across multiple cloud environments.

There are three main cloud service models: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS).

  • IaaS: Third-party cloud providers manage infrastructure, including data storage, networking, servers, and virtualization.
  • PaaS: The cloud provider manages the software and hardware platform, but the customer handles the apps and data. This model is mostly for developers and programmers.
  • SaaS: Cloud providers deliver software applications to users as cloud services, handling infrastructure and software maintenance and management. 

The Benefits of Cloud Infrastructure

Google Cloud infrastructure offers high performance, speed, and customization at competitive prices. Each tool is designed to fulfill a common business need and interact seamlessly with other Google products. Migrating to the cloud gives your business the power to collaborate, communicate, and innovate like never before.

One of GCP’s greatest strengths is its global network, which delivers reliable, rapid, and scalable performance. Cloud computing offers greater flexibility to scale resources and storage to meet changing business demands without the need for major infrastructure overhauls. Google Cloud allows businesses to access and share data from anywhere, at any time, and from any device. This promotes easier and more efficient collaboration.

The Google Cloud Platform also makes it easy to design, develop, and test new applications. You can instantly create Compute Engine instances in the Google Cloud console, Compute Engine API, or Google Cloud CLI.

With Google Cloud, companies can accelerate the implementation of AI and machine learning into their business strategy. These innovations could improve efficiency and productivity and allow your organization to achieve faster time to market (TTM).

Big data, machine learning, and visualization tools can also power descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. Data analysis helps businesses make more informed and profitable decisions.

Security, Availability & Compliance

While some may have safety concerns, cloud computing offers advanced security and robust protection.

Google and its enterprise solutions run on the same infrastructure, so customers benefit from the protections Google built and use themselves. They employ dedicated security experts and a global infrastructure to enforce the highest standards of security and compliance.

The Google Cloud Platform also has a wide selection of security and authentication tools to provide the unique protections your business needs. With comprehensive backup and disaster recovery options, Google Cloud offers high availability and advanced data protection.

Tools & Features

There are over 100 easy-to-use tools and features available on the Google Cloud Platform. You can get everything you need to build and manage your products and services, from Cloud Storage and App Engine to Cloud SQL and BigQuery. The main components of the Google Cloud Platform include:

  • Compute service: Includes Google Kubernetes Engine, App Engine, Cloud Functions, Cloud GPUs, and Compute Engine.
  • Storage and database service: Includes Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, Cloud Bigtable, and Cloud Spanner.
  • Big data service: Includes Cloud Data Studio, Cloud Datalab, BigQuery, and Looker.
  • Networking service: Includes Cloud DNS, Cloud Load Balancing, Cloud Armor, Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), and Network Connectivity Center.
  • Developer tools: Includes Cloud Workstations, Cloud Code, Cloud Build, Google Cloud Deploy, and Artifact Registry.
  • Management tools: Includes Intelligent Management, Google Cloud Marketplace, Cloud APIs, and Google Cloud console.
  • Cloud AI: Includes Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text, Cloud Natural Language, Translation AI, and AutoML.
  • Security and identity: Includes Cloud Data Loss Prevention, Cloud Firewall, Shielded VMs, Cloud Armor, and Titan Security Key.
  • The API platform: Includes Apigee API Management, Apigee Sense, API Gateway, and AppSheet.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): Includes Edge TPU.

Costs & Savings

The Google Cloud Platform offers cost-effective cloud computing solutions. The pay-as-you-go pricing structure ensures you only pay for the services you use. You can start a free trial and receive $300 in free credits to run, test, and deploy workloads.

All customers also have access to the Free Tier, which allows you to use select Google Cloud products like Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and Compute Engine for free within monthly usage limits. If your organization requires additional products and usage, you can explore Google Cloud product pricing options. Total costs will vary by product and usage.

 

How Promevo Can Help

When you’re ready to start building your Google Cloud infrastructure, Promevo will help you navigate the process and train your team along the way. We’re proud Google Cloud partners, meaning we place our full focus on how Google products and services can transform the way you do business. 

We work closely with you to determine your goals and the best products to achieve them. From Google Workspace and Google Cloud to ChromeOS devices, our team has the expertise and support to accelerate your integration and optimize your Google experience and use. Our Google certified specialists provide end-to-end support throughout your Google journey.

If you have any questions about the Google Cloud Platform, contact us today.

 

FAQs: Google Cloud Infrastructure

What is cloud infrastructure?

Cloud infrastructure refers to the hardware, software, storage, and other components necessary for cloud computing. It describes the tools used to build a cloud and support the delivery of applications and services.

What are the major components of Google’s infrastructure?

The Google Cloud Platform has several key products and services that can provide different functions for your business. Each of these components runs on Google infrastructure.

  • Compute service
  • Storage and database service
  • Big data service
  • Networking service
  • Developer tools
  • Management tools
  • Cloud AI
  • Security and identity
  • The API platform
  • Internet of Things (IoT)

Why do we need cloud infrastructure?

The Google Cloud Platform offers an extensive suite of tools and resources for scalability, data storage and analysis, quick deployments, improved collaboration, enhanced security, backup and disaster recovery, and more. You can quickly and easily meet business demands and changes without paying for, installing, or managing physical infrastructure. 

Keeping up with market trends and technology is critical for any industry. Investing in cloud infrastructure today can lead to better performance and success in the near future.


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