GCP Network Design (Part-1) Things to Consider Before Starting GCP Network Design

Introduction

Hello All,

Welcome back 👋 !! This time I came up with something interesting and very important : GCP Networking☁️ 🌐!!

Lights, camera, network design! 🎥🌐 Just like in the world of filmmaking, network design is the director behind the scenes, orchestrating the performance, security, and reliability of your applications. It’s like creating a blockbuster movie, where every scene, every shot, and every detail matters.

In this blog series, Based on my experience of designing network for Google Cloud infrastructure we will explore the essential aspects of designing a robust and efficient network in Google Cloud Platform (GCP). To provide a well-structured approach, we have divided the series into two parts: Part 1 and Part 2. By splitting the blog series into these two parts, we can thoroughly cover the various aspects of GCP network design.

Part 1: Things to Consider Before Starting Network Design

Part 1 we will walk through the important considerations and initial steps to take before initiating the network design process. we gather the requirements, just like a filmmaker gathers their script, actors, and crew. We need to know the desired outcome, the storyline of your network, and the roles each component will play.

Part 2: Network Design Best Practices

Part 2 will delve into the best practices and guidelines for designing an optimized network in GCP. We will explore topics such as Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) design, network connectivity options, security measures, load balancing, scalability, monitoring, and more.

Now, let’s delve into Part 1 and explore the sequential process of considering essential factors before initiating the network design.

Identifying Stakeholders and Roles

Before diving into the design process Identify all individuals who will be involved in the decision-making process and who will need to be provided with clear requirements. These can be Application owners,Architect,IT Infrastructure Teams ,Business stakeholders, Network and security Teams etc.

Define Requirements

Identifying the business goals and objectives that drive the network design.Consider factors such as the expected workload, traffic patterns, geographic distribution, latency requirements, and security needs. Understanding these requirements will guide you in choosing the appropriate GCP networking services and configurations.

“Experience Note: Changing the network architecture is often considered one of the most challenging changes in cloud architecture”

it is advisable to invest ample time in the initial phase to gather comprehensive requirements, rather than encountering unforeseen issues in later stages.

Here are some key points

1. IP Address Requirements: Trust me , this step holds immense significance in the design of networks across any cloud platform. You may have encountered instances of “IP exhausted errors,” and resolving them can pose challenges, especially when expanding the CIDR range is not a feasible option due to tightly aligned subnet ranges. It is crucial to accurately determine the number of IP addresses necessary for your workloads, considering both the overall quantity required and the specific number per subnet. This assessment will guide you in selecting the suitable IP address range (CIDR Range) and appropriately sizing the subnets. Moreover, it is essential to identify whether IPv4 or IPv6 addresses are needed for your network configuration.
2. Traffic Patterns: Understand the expected traffic patterns of your applications. Analyze the inbound and outbound traffic, data transfer rates, and potential spikes in traffic volume. Consider the types of network protocols used, such as HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP, or other application-specific protocols. This information will aid in selecting the appropriate network services and bandwidth capacity.
3. Geographical Distribution: Determine the geographic distribution of your workloads and users. Identify the regions or availability zones where your resources will be deployed. This is important for optimizing latency and ensuring proximity to end-users or other dependent services. Consider the need for multi-region or global deployments.
4. Latency Requirements: Evaluate the latency requirements of your applications. Certain applications, such as real-time communication or financial systems, may have strict latency constraints. Identify the maximum acceptable latency and select the appropriate GCP regions or interconnect options to meet those requirements.
5. Security and Compliance: Define the security and compliance requirements for your network. Assess any specific security standards or regulations that apply to your industry, such as HIPAA or PCI DSS. Determine the necessary security controls, access restrictions, encryption requirements, and data isolation needs. This will influence the choice of security features, firewall rules, and network segmentation strategies.
6. High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Consider the level of availability and disaster recovery needed for your applications. Determine if your architecture requires redundancy across multiple regions or if a single region is sufficient. Identify the need for failover mechanisms, load balancing, and backup and recovery strategies.
7. Hybrid networking : If you have existing on-premises infrastructure or other cloud environments, assess the integration requirements. Identify the connectivity options, such as VPN or dedicated interconnect, needed to establish secure and reliable connections between your on-premises network and GCP.
8. Scalability and Growth: What if your application suddenly becomes as popular as MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot? 🚁 Prepare for the best-case scenario by assessing the scalability requirements. Predict the growth rate and future resource needs while keeping in mind that fame comes with traffic spikes. Plan for horizontal scalability with load balancing and auto-scaling capabilities, so your network can handle the surge of fans rushing to use your app without dropping the ball. 😎
9. Cost Optimization: Money matters everywhere 😄 , so Consider cost optimization strategies when designing the network. Explore options like using shared services,VPC peering, avoid egress and cross-region traffic as much as possible, leveraging cost-effective networking features, and optimizing data transfer costs.

Cost factors- GCP Network Design

Assessing Existing Infrastructure

This is crucial steps if you are working on migration project.When embarking on a network design project, it is important to assess the existing infrastructure that is already in place. This evaluation helps in understanding the current network setup, identifying any dependencies or limitations, and determining if there are any migration requirements to be considered.

1. On-Premises Systems: If the organization has on-premises systems or data centers, it is crucial to evaluate the network infrastructure supporting these environments. This includes understanding the network topology, hardware components, connectivity options, and any existing network security measures in place. This assessment will provide insights into the current network capabilities and potential areas for improvement or integration with the new network design.
2. Interconnections: If there are interconnections between on-premises systems and cloud services or other external networks, these connections should be evaluated. This includes assessing the connectivity options, such as VPN (Virtual Private Network) or dedicated interconnect, and understanding the bandwidth and performance characteristics of these connections. It is important to ensure that the new network design takes into account these interconnections and provides a seamless and secure integration.
3. Dependencies and Limitations: Identify any dependencies or limitations of the existing network infrastructure that could impact the design process. For example, certain legacy applications or systems may have specific network requirements or dependencies on certain hardware or software components. Understanding these dependencies will help in designing a network that can support the existing systems and applications without disruptions.
4. Migration Requirements: Determine if there are any migration requirements from the existing infrastructure to the new network design. This could involve migrating data, applications, or services from on-premises systems to cloud-based environments or transitioning to a different network architecture. Assessing these migration requirements early on will ensure that the network design can accommodate the migration process smoothly and efficiently.

Network Topology

Above initial requirement analysis will be helpful to Choose the Right Network Topology.Choosing the right network topology is a critical decision when designing a network architecture in Google Cloud Platform (GCP). The network topology refers to the arrangement and structure of the network components, including how they are connected and organized. GCP offers two primary network types: Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and Shared VPC. Understanding these options and selecting the appropriate topology is essential for creating a well-organized and efficient network infrastructure.

1. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC): In a VPC model, each project in GCP has its dedicated virtual network, allowing you to isolate resources and control network access at the project level. This offers flexibility and autonomy, making it suitable for organizations with multiple projects or teams that require independent networks and administrative control. Each VPC operates independently, providing isolation and security between projects.
2. Shared VPC: Shared VPC, also known as a host project, allows multiple projects within the same organization to share a common virtual network. This enables centralized network management and simplifies network administration tasks, such as IP address management and firewall rules. Shared VPC is beneficial for organizations that want to establish a common network infrastructure while maintaining project-level autonomy and security boundaries.

You can find my curated Youtube Playlist for GCP Networking here

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Part 1 of our blog series on GCP network design has provided valuable insights into the essential considerations before embarking on the network design process. By understanding the business and application requirements, assessing existing infrastructure, and defining clear network objectives, you have laid a strong foundation for designing an efficient network in Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will delve into the technical aspects and best practices for designing an optimized network infrastructure in GCP. By following these guidelines, you will be able to create a robust and reliable network that meets your organization’s specific needs and sets the stage for a successful cloud journey.

About Me

As an experienced 10x certified Google Cloud Architect/Data Engineer with over 7 years of expertise in Google Cloud Networking,Data ,Devops,Security aand BI, I am passionate about technology and innovation. Being a Champion Innovator and Google Cloud Architect, I am always exploring new ways to leverage cloud technologies to deliver innovative solutions that make a difference.

If you have any queries or would like to get in touch, you can reach me at my email address vishal.bulbule@techtrapture.com or connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-bulbule/. For a more personal connection, you can also find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vishal_bulbule/?hl=en.

Additionally, please check out my YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@techtrapture for tutorials and demos on Google Cloud.

GCP Networking Playlist