Using Startup Scripts on Google Compute Engine

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Using Startup Scripts on Google Compute Engine

In this hands-on lab, we will practice using startup scripts to create customized Compute Engine instances. We will use both a direct insert and cloud storage-supplied methods.

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Lab Info

Level

Beginner

Last updated

Sep 21, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Create a Compute Engine instance using direct input startup script.
1. Go to top-left menu - Compute Engine
- Make sure you are using a default Debian instance (should be default)
- Under Firewall, place a check in Allow HTTP traffic
- Expand the Management sub-menu
- Under Automation - Startup script box, copy and paste the following commands:
  
  apt update
  
  apt install -y apache2
  
  cat <<EOF > /var/www/html/index.html <html><body> <h2>Welcome to your custom website.</h2> <h3>Created with a direct input startup script!</h3> </body></html> EOF
1. Click Create
After the instance is up, give it an additional minute as it is updating the repositories, installing Apache, and editing the Apache index file in the background. Click on the external IP address and you should be presented with your custom website.
Challenge

Create a Compute Engine instance and link to a Cloud Storage object for startup script
1. Go to top-left menu - Compute Engine
- Make sure you are using a default Debian instance (should be default)
- Under Firewall, place a check in Allow HTTP traffic
- Expand the Management sub-menu
- Under Automation - Metadata, add the following key/value pair in the respective boxes:
  
  key: startup-script-url
  
  value: gs://acg-gcp-course-exercise-scripts/startup-script.sh
- Click Create
After the instance is up, give it an additional minute as it is updating the repositories, installing Apache, and editing the Apache index file in the background. Click on the external IP address and you should be presented with your custom website.

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