Google Cloud N4 Instances: Balanced General-Purpose Compute
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers the N4 instance family, a general-purpose virtual machine series designed to provide a balance of compute, memory, and networking for cost-effective, scalable workloads. N4 instances are ideal for applications that require stable performance at predictable costs.
Key Features of N4 Instances
1. Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
- N4 instances use Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Cascade Lake or Ice Lake) for reliable performance and energy efficiency.
- High clock speeds and multiple cores make them suitable for multi-threaded workloads.
2. Flexible Machine Types
- Offers both predefined machine types (like n4-standard-4) and custom machine types.
- Memory can be adjusted to match vCPU count for optimized cost/performance.
3. High Memory Bandwidth
- Suitable for memory-sensitive workloads such as databases, in-memory caches, and analytics.
- Provides better memory throughput than the older N1 series.
4. Enhanced Networking
- Supports up to 32 Gbps of network bandwidth, allowing fast interconnects between VMs and low-latency communication.
5. Integration with Google Cloud Services
- Works seamlessly with Cloud Storage, BigQuery, Cloud SQL, and other GCP services.
- Supports live migration for high availability and minimal downtime.
Use Cases
- Web and Application Servers: Deploy scalable web applications with balanced resources.
- Databases: Run relational and in-memory databases with predictable performance.
- Development & Testing: Create flexible dev/test environments without over-provisioning.
- Analytics Workloads: Handle business intelligence and reporting tasks efficiently.
Instance Types and Specifications
| Instance Type | vCPUs | Memory | Networking Bandwidth | Local Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n4-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | Up to 10 Gbps | None / PD |
| n4-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | Up to 10 Gbps | None / PD |
| n4-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | Up to 16 Gbps | None / PD |
| n4-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | Up to 16 Gbps | None / PD |
| n4-highmem-4 | 4 | 32 GB | Up to 10 Gbps | None / PD |
| n4-highcpu-8 | 8 | 8 GB | Up to 16 Gbps | None / PD |
Note: Availability and specifications vary by region. See the GCP N4 Instance Types page for up-to-date details.
Conclusion
GCP N4 instances deliver a balanced, cost-effective solution for general-purpose workloads, combining reliable Intel Xeon processors, adjustable memory, and high networking capabilities. They are suitable for developers and enterprises looking for predictable performance at scalable costs.