Upload Files to Google Cloud Successfully

Google Cloud Storage is an important enterprise service capable of housing big unstructured data sets. As a business owner, you can store primary or rarely accessed files on the platform, at a fee of course. You can access your files through either a command-line interface or a web browser. You can also select a specific geographical location where you want your files to live.

It’s also worth mentioning that Google Cloud Storage has been revolutionary for e-commerce enterprises that are using click funnel plugins to sell and deliver products and services online. Google Cloud helps them display large images, and videos on their online store.

Google Cloud Storage offers organized object storage for not only archived but also live data. These objects are classified into buckets, which are containers in the cloud. These buckets are individually allotted to storage classes. They are responsible for storing your files. But how do you get your files into your bucket? You may wonder! This guide will share with you 4 primary ways to upload your files to Google Cloud.

1. The Google Cloud Console

This is the most straightforward option for getting your files to Google Cloud. You just need to log in and complete a couple of easy-to-follow steps. The Cloud Console is your best bet if you have static data or a straightforward serving situation. Just go to the Cloud storage browser, choose the bucket where you want to store your files, and then choose the objects (files or folders) to upload.

This option offers you an unparalleled in-browser experience. It allows you to set up buckets and folders with just a simple click, and then upload files from your local machine to the Google Cloud by just selecting or even dragging and dropping them. Remember the Cloud Console is the easiest way to send large videos to Google Cloud.

2. The Command-Line Tool

The Command-Line Tool is also called the gsutil tool. It handles upload tasks that are difficult or impossible to perform with the console. The console is a perfect choice for simple uploads and straightforward serving situations but when it comes to production environments, you’ll definitely require a programmed, command-line solution. And that’s where the gsutil tool comes in.

The gsutil tool is a user-friendly Python application that allows you to leverage the command line to gain access to the Google Cloud. It gives you the power to do all kinds of things, from setting up buckets to uploading objects to editing metadata. All you need to do is to run this Python program with various command-line options. For instance, this command (gsutil -m cp -r dir gs://my-bucket) leverages parallel upload to transfer a large number of files to your Google Cloud bucket from your local machine.

3. REST APIs

REST APIs, XML API, and JSON API can also let you upload your files to Google Cloud. They allow you to launch an HTTP POST request to move files directly to a bucket. They are slightly complex, but you can still use them if they align with your use case.

The JSON API is designed for software developers who understand web programming. You can use it to programmatically access and work on your Cloud Storage projects. It enables you to perform simple uploads, resumable uploads, and multipart uploads.

XML API is also meant for those who are knowledgeable in web programming. It’s also meant for those who understand RESTful services and are ready to set up applications that run through HTTP requests. If you’re migrating from another cloud service to Google Cloud, then the XML API will come in handy. It’ll also prove helpful when you’re working with multiple storage providers. The simple reason is that the XML API offers a web interface for initiating HTTP requests and managing HTTP responses.

4. Storage Transfer Service

Are your files already online in a different cloud solution? Do you want to transfer them to Google Cloud? If so, the storage transfer service will be helpful. This service will allow you to move your files from an online location to the intended destination. It also lets you make files accessible to multiple groups of users or apps by moving data from one bucket to another.

Final Thoughts

These are 4 main ways to upload your files to Google Cloud. The Google Cloud Console is the easiest of the four upload options. The other three options are slightly more complex and may require some familiarity with web programming. But you can still use them if they fit your use case.