What are the key components of a Google Cloud Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)?

The key components of a Google Cloud Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) are subnets, firewall rules, routes, and interconnectivity options.

Subnets divide the VPC network into smaller segments, allowing for increased organization and security. Each subnet can have specific IP address ranges, which helps in efficient IP management and improves resource allocation. Firewall rules are critical for managing traffic to and from resources within the VPC; they define what network traffic is allowed or denied, thereby playing an essential role in maintaining the security posture of the network. Routes are used to direct traffic within the VPC or to and from the internet, defining how data packets are transported across the network. Interconnectivity options, such as VPN, Cloud Interconnect, and peering connections, enable communication between different networks, whether they are on-premises or within other cloud environments, further enhancing the functionality and flexibility of a VPC.

The other options, while important components of Google Cloud infrastructure, do not specifically define the core elements of a VPC. Firewalls and load balancers, for instance, are tools used within a VPC but do not encompass the entirety of what constitutes a VPC itself. Similarly, virtual machines and API services represent resources that can be deployed