Google Associate Cloud EngineerPlanning and configuring a cloud solutionMedium
A research team needs to run a series of complex simulations that require significant compute resources for a short, predictable duration (e.g., a few hours). The simulations are fault-tolerant and can tolerate preemption. They want to minimize costs. Which Compute Engine instance type should they use?
- AStandard N1 instances
- BCustom machine types
- CSole-tenant nodes
- DPreemptible VMs
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Preemptible VMs
Preemptible VMs are significantly cheaper than regular VMs and are designed for short, fault-tolerant workloads that can withstand preemption. This perfectly matches the requirement for cost minimization and tolerating interruptions for simulations.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Standard N1 instances are general-purpose and more expensive, not optimized for short, fault-tolerant workloads needing cost savings.
- B. Custom machine types allow flexibility in vCPU/memory, but don't inherently provide cost savings for interruptible workloads like Preemptible VMs.
- C. Sole-tenant nodes provide dedicated hardware for specific compliance or licensing needs and are significantly more expensive, not for cost-minimization.
Compute Engine Preemptible VMs
Virtual machine instances that you can create and run at a much lower price than regular instances. Compute Engine might stop (preempt) these instances if it needs to reclaim capacity.
- Significant cost savings (up to 80% off)
- Instances can be preempted with 30-second notice
- Ideal for batch jobs, fault-tolerant workloads
Memory trick: COST (Cost-sensitive, Operational tolerance, Short-lived, Type)