How to install an SSL certificate on Google Cloud?

Installing an SSL certificate on Google Cloud can be done using two methods: using a managed SSL certificate or using a self-managed SSL certificate.

Method 1: Install SSL Certificate using Google Cloud’s Managed SSL/TLS Certificates

Prerequisites:

1. An SSL certificate: You need to have an SSL certificate purchased from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). You can purchase a certificate from providers like Let’s Encrypt, Cloudflare, or Comodo.
2. Access to Google Cloud Console: You need to have access to your Google Cloud account and be logged in to the Cloud Console.
3. Extracted Certificate Files: Your SSL certificate is typically provided as a zip file containing multiple files, including the certificate file (.crt), the private key file (.key), and the intermediate certificate chain (optional). Extract these files to a secure location on your computer.

Installing the SSL Certificate Using Google Cloud’s Managed SSL/TLS Certificates

1. Create SSL Certificate Order: In the Cloud Console, navigate to the “Certificates” section and click on the “Create Certificate” button.
2. Choose Certificate Source: Select “Managed SSL/TLS certificates” as your certificate source.
3. Select Certificate Provider: Choose the Certificate Authority (CA) from which you purchased your SSL certificate.
4. Upload Certificate and Key: Click on the “Upload Certificate and Private Key” button. Select the certificate file (.crt) and the private key file (.key) that you extracted from your SSL certificate package.
5. Verify Certificate and Key: Google Cloud will verify the validity of your uploaded certificate and key.
6. Create Certificate: Click on the “Create Certificate” button. Google Cloud will create and issue your managed SSL/TLS certificate.
7. Associate Certificate with Load Balancer: Select the load balancer for which you want to apply the SSL certificate. Click on the “Attach Certificate” button and choose the managed SSL/TLS certificate you just created.

Once the association is complete, your load balancer will start using the managed SSL/TLS certificate and visitors will see a secure connection indicated by the padlock icon in the address bar.

Method 2: Install SSL Certificate using Self-Managed SSL/TLS Certificates

Prerequisites:

1. An SSL certificate: You need to have an SSL certificate purchased from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
2. Extracted Certificate Files: Your SSL certificate is typically provided as a zip file containing multiple files, including the certificate file (.crt), the private key file (.key), and the intermediate certificate chain (optional). Extract these files to a secure location on your computer.
3. Access to Load Balancer: You need to have access to your Google Cloud load balancer to perform the installation process.

Installing the SSL Certificate Using Self-Managed SSL/TLS Certificates

1. Create SSL Certificate Credentials: Create a Secret Manager secret in Google Cloud that holds your SSL certificate and private key. You can use the Cloud Console or the gcloud command-line tool to create the secret.
2. Configure Load Balancer SSL Profile: Create an SSL profile in your load balancer that references the Secret Manager secret you created earlier. This will provide your load balancer with the necessary information to use the SSL certificate.
3. Associate SSL Profile with Load Balancer Frontend: Associate the SSL profile you created with the frontend of your load balancer. This will ensure that all traffic to the frontend will be routed through the SSL profile and served with the SSL certificate.

Once the association is complete, your load balancer will start using the self-managed SSL/TLS certificate and visitors will see a secure connection indicated by the padlock icon in the address bar.