Google Cloud Platform (GCP)


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General Description

The University of Washington provides access to Google Cloud Platform (GCP) via the Internet2 NET+ GCP offering. NET+ GCP offers the following benefits: 

  • Single sign-on with the University of Washington credentials
  • 5% discount on GCP services
  • A waiver of GCP data egress fees for most applications
  • Access to the Burwood Group billing portal for billing reports and alerts

Alternatively, NIH-funded researchers may use GCP under the terms of the NIH STRIDES program, which includes more significant discounts: 

  • 25% off compute and standard storage
  • 10% off coldline and archive storage
  • 19% off managed services such as BigTable and BigQuery

To utilize these benefits, GCP projects and billing IDs must be created centrally using this form:  UW Cloud Intake Form - Service Portal 

If you already have Projects in GCP that are not getting the negotiated discounts, email Help@uw.edu and we can help you migrate those accounts over. 

GCP Procurement Process 

Important

Backstop Purchase Order Requirement for GCP Accounts 

UWIT Research Computing requires a backstop Purchase Order (PO) for all GCP accounts provisioned through our reseller, Burwood Group, regardless of available credit amounts. 

This requirement is intended to reduce the risk of service disruption in cases where project credits are exhausted. When a GCP account exceeds its available credit limit, associated services and stored data may be frozen until billing is resolved. This may interrupt research activities and could lead to data loss if the issue is not promptly identified. 

Maintaining a backstop PO (even for a nominal amount) helps ensure continuity of access during billing transitions. Research groups may also configure GCP budget alerts to receive advance notice of credit depletion and proactively manage project continuity.

Cloud Computing Service Catalog – Ordering Google Cloud Platform (GCP) via Workday - UWIT

Accessing Google Cloud 

To access the Google Cloud console, log in at https://console.cloud.google.com with your University of Washington email address. 

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Onboarding

GCP Identity and Access Management / Project Permissions 

To facilitate access to University of Washington GCP projects, the UWIT recommends the following best practices: 

  • Manage permissions at the project level via the granting of roles
  • Grant roles to Groups when possible, rather than individual users 

Getting Support 

  • UWIT does not provide direct support for Google Cloud Platform but does facilitate access to support from Google and the eScience Institute. 

Education and Training Opportunities 

The University of Washington is part of the Google Cloud Skills Boost program that gives access to online training.  If you would like to join cloud skills boost, you can sign up here: https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/organizations/university-of-washington-inc/invites/UWskills