Create and restore snapshots GCP with this handy guide from Bobcares

At Bobcares, we offer solutions for every query, big and small, as a part of our Server Management Service.

Let’s take a look at how our Support Team recently helped a customer create and restore snapshots in GCP.

How to create and restore snapshots in GCP

Snapshots can be described as global resources, that we use to restore data to a new instance or disk within the same project. Creating and restoring snapshots in Google Cloud Platform is considered an easy job as long as you follow the right steps.

Our Support Team has created this helpful guide to make this process easier and quicker.

How to create a Snapshot page in GCP

1. First, we will head to the Create a Snapshot page in Google Cloud Console.
2. Then, we will enter a snapshot name.
3. After that, we can enter the snapshot description. However, this step is optional.
4. Next, we have to narrow down the snapshot storage location to either default storage or a custom storage location.

   Furthermore, we will select either a Multi-regional location or a Regional location depending on where we want to store the snapshot.

   Our Support Engineers recommend selecting the specific region or multi-region we prefer to use. Moreover, we can also choose the one closest to the source disk by choosing Based on disk’s location.
5. Finally, we have to select Create to create the snapshot.

How to create a snapshot of a regional persistent disk on GCP

1. First, we will head to the Create a Snapshot page in Googe Cloud Console.
2. Then, we will enter a snapshot name.
3. After that, we can enter the snapshot description. However, this step is optional.
4. Them, we have to select an existing disk from which to create a snapshot.
5. Next, we can opt to specify a custom storage location.

   Furthermore, we will select either a Multi-regional location or a Regional location depending on where we want to store the snapshot.

   Our Support Engineers recommend selecting the specific region or multi-region we prefer to use. Moreover, we can also choose the one closest to the source disk by choosing Based on disk’s location.
6. Finally, we have to select Create to create the snapshot.

How to restore snapshots in GCP

According to our Support Team, we can restore the content of a specific snapshot to a new disk via either of the following options:

• Creating a new persistent disk from a snapshot:

  In this scenario, we will create a new disk and then select the snapshot as the Source.
  Furthermore, the new persistent disk has to be at least the same size as the original source disk.

  In case it is larger, we have to resize the file system on the persistent disk in order to include the additional disk space.
• Creating a new instance from a snapshot:

  Here, we will use snapshots to create data disks and boot disks for the new instance. In case of an outage, we can recover data by restoring one or more snapshots to a new persistent disk on a brand new instance.

Additionally, we can create a new zonal persistent disk once every ten minutes from a given snapshot. However, if we want to issue a bunch of requests to snapshot the disks, we can issue up to 6 requests in 60 minutes.

Moreover, this limit is not considered when creating regional persistent disks from a snapshot.

How to resize filesystem of new disk

1. First, we will head to the Snapshots section on the Snapshots page in Google Cloud Console.
2. Then, we will find the name of the snapshot to be restored.
3. After that, we will head to the Disk page and select Create new disk.
4. Next, we have to specify the following parameters:
   • Disk name
   • Type of disk
   • Optional: override default region as well as zone selection.
5. After that, we have to select Snapshot under Source type.
6. Then, we will select the name of the snapshot we are restoring.
7. Next, we have to select the new disk’s size in gigabytes. It has to be the same or larger than the original source disk.
8. Finally, we have to click Create to create the disk.

We can also get the job done by attaching the new disk to an existing instance as seen below:

1. First, we will head to the VM instance page.
2. Then, we have to select the instance where we want to restore the non-boot disk.
3. After that, we will click Edit at the top of the Instance details page.
4. Next, we will select Attach existing disk under Additional disks.
5. Then, choose the name of the new disk made from the snapshot.
6. After that, we have to choose Done to attach the disk.
7. Finally, click Save at the bottom to save the changes made to the instance.

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Conclusion

In brief, the skilled Support Engineers at Bobcares demonstrated how to create and restore snapshots in GCP with ease.