How to Create a Google Cloud Server with Ubuntu Linux
You create a Google Cloud server with Ubuntu Linux by launching a Compute Engine instance on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This virtual machine acts as your own dedicated computer running on Google’s global network, perfect for hosting websites, running applications, or managing data.
A Compute Engine instance is GCP’s infrastructure-as-a-service, offering you raw computing power and flexibility. We’ll guide you through setting up your Ubuntu Linux instance, specifically detailing how to choose an image like Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish), ensuring a stable foundation.
This setup makes your website accessible worldwide. After creation, you’ll connect your domain name to this server’s public IP address, directing visitors to your hosted content.
Navigate to Compute Engine > VM instances in the Google Cloud console. Click CREATE INSTANCE, configure your server details like region and machine type, and select Ubuntu Linux for the boot disk. Finally, click Create to launch your new server.
How to sign up for Google Cloud
Signing up for a Google Cloud server is simple if you already have a Gmail account.
Head to Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and register for an account if you don’t already have one.
Click the blue button: “Get started for free” in the page’s upper-right corner.
Next, sign in with your Gmail account and register. You may be able to get a $300 credit for registering.
Once registration is complete, you should have a Google Cloud Platform account. You won’t be charged anything because you aren’t using any of Google’s Cloud services yet.
How to create a Google Cloud server
Creating your Google Cloud server is the next step after setting up your account.
We will forward the domain we created in our previous post to point to this Google server, which will be our host for hosting our content online.
To create a new Google Cloud Server, go to the menu on the top left and navigate to Compute Engine ==> VM instances, as shown in the image below.
If you haven’t created a project, you’ll be prompted to create a new project before making a VM instance.
Next, from the Compute Engine ==> VM instances page, click the CREATE INSTANCE button, as shown below.
Doing this will create a new virtual machine in Google Cloud infrastructure that we can use to host our content.
Compute Engine usually takes a few minutes to prepare your VM instance. Once it’s ready, you’ll see a page with the VM setup details.
On the VM creation page, choose to Create a new VM from scratch.
Then, follow the bullet points below to select and provide the necessary details for your new server.
Name: Give your server a name that starts with a lowercase letter. If a new one is incompatible with the Google Cloud server name, it will prompt you to change it.
Region: A region is a specific geographical location where you can run your Google Cloud resources. You’ll typically want to select the region that your server will primarily be accessed.
Zone: A zone is an isolated location within a region, and it determines where your data is stored. A zone is typically closer to a region.
Machine configuration: Google Cloud offers different virtual machine configurations. Choose the one that fits your needs and budget.
Machine family – General purpose
CPU Series – CPU generation
Machine Type – CPU and Memory allocation.
Boot disk: This is where you choose the operating system for your Google Cloud server. Linux Debian is selected by default. There are other types of operating systems you can choose from. For this tutorial, we’re going to be using Ubuntu Linux.
Click Change; choose Ubuntu Linux.
Firewall: If you want to connect to the web from your Google Cloud server, allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Add tags and firewall rules to allow specific network traffic from the Internet.
- Allow HTTP traffic
- Allow HTTPS traffic
Once you select the VM instance details, click the Create button to create your first VM.
After a few moments, the first VM server should be created and ready.
Under External IP, you’ll find your server’s public or external IP address.
We will forward this IP address or point to the domain we created earlier. Take notes of the External IP address.
How to point a domain name to the server
Pointing your domain name to your new Google Cloud server is easy once you have its external IP address.
For us, it’s Google Domains.
Once you log in to Google Domains, click the domain name and select DNS.
On the DNS page, scroll down to Custom Records in the middle. Then, expand the Custom Records tile and add your first record.
- Host name field, leave blank.
- Type = A
- TTL 3600
- Data: IP address of the host
When you’re done, click the Save button.
When you’re done, a new record will appear showing the website domain pointing to the server’s IP address.
The domain name is pointing to a server or host’s IP address. The server is live, but no content has been created yet.
Our next post will show you how to create a web server and content on the Google Cloud server we created above.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
- Setting up a Google Cloud server with Ubuntu Linux is a straightforward process.
- You successfully created a Google Cloud account and a virtual machine (VM) instance.
- Pointing your domain name to the server makes your website accessible online.
- The server is live, but you must create web content to establish your online presence.
- In our next post, we will guide you through creating a web server and adding content to your new Google Cloud server.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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