What is the common first step in migrating to Google Cloud Platform (GCP)?

The common first step in migrating to Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is to create an IPSec VPN. This is primarily because establishing a secure connection between the on-premises infrastructure and the Google Cloud environment is crucial for a successful migration. An IPSec VPN provides a secure and encrypted tunnel over the internet, allowing for a reliable transfer of data during the migration process.

This secure connection facilitates the movement of workloads and data to GCP while ensuring that sensitive information remains protected. It is especially useful for organizations that may not have the immediate need or resources to set up dedicated interconnections. Utilizing an IPSec VPN allows for initial testing and transfer of workloads while providing a flexible and cost-effective solution to meet immediate migration needs.

While options like establishing Direct Interconnect or utilizing Partner Interconnect may provide higher bandwidth and lower latency connections for larger or production-grade migrations, they typically come into play after initial steps have been taken, often requiring more planning and resources. Setting up a Cloud Router is also part of the networking configuration process but is generally done after a secure connection, such as an IPSec VPN, has been established.