Google Associate Cloud EngineerPlanning and configuring a cloud solutionMedium
A development team is building a new microservices-based application using containers. They need a managed Kubernetes service that automatically handles patching, upgrading, and repairing the control plane, while also managing node auto-provisioning and auto-scaling based on workload demands. Which Google Cloud service should they choose?
- AGoogle Kubernetes Engine (GKE) Standard
- BGoogle Kubernetes Engine (GKE) Autopilot
- CApp Engine Flexible Environment
- DCompute Engine
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) Autopilot
GKE Autopilot is a fully managed mode of GKE where Google manages the control plane and automatically provisions, scales, and repairs nodes based on the workload, significantly reducing operational overhead.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. GKE Standard requires manual management of node pools, including scaling and patching, which doesn't meet the 'automatically handles' requirement.
- C. App Engine Flexible Environment is a platform-as-a-service for web applications, not a managed Kubernetes service for microservices in containers with node auto-provisioning.
- D. Compute Engine provides VMs, requiring manual setup and management of Kubernetes and nodes, which is complex and not fully managed.
GKE Autopilot
GKE Autopilot is a mode of Google Kubernetes Engine that provides a fully managed Kubernetes experience, where Google automatically manages the cluster's control plane and data plane (nodes), including provisioning, scaling, and repairing.
- Fully managed control plane and nodes
- Pay-per-pod resource model
- Automatic node provisioning and scaling
Memory trick: Autopilot: Kubernetes on cruise control.