> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/xsoar-6-administrator-guide/6.12/onboard-cortex-xsoar/onboarding-in-cortex-xsoar/single-server-deployment/deployment-guidelines/gcp-compute-engine-deployment-guidelines.md).

# GCP Compute Engine Deployment Guidelines

GCP Compute Engine deployments have specific technical and sizing requirements and a set of Cortex XSOAR best practices.

After you configure and verify your GCP Compute Engine VM, install the Cortex XSOAR Server.

**Supported GCP Compute Engine Instance Types**

Cortex XSOAR server installation is supported on the following GCP Compute Engine VM types.

| VM Type                        | VM Name         |
| ------------------------------ | --------------- |
| E2 - Cost Optimized            | e2-standard-16  |
| e2-standard-32                 |                 |
| N2 - General Purpose           | n2-standard-16  |
| n2-standard-48                 |                 |
| n2-standard-80                 |                 |
| N1 - High CPU                  | n2d-standard-16 |
| n1-standard-64                 |                 |
| n1-standard-96                 |                 |
| N2D - AMD EPYC Rome processors | n2d-standard-16 |
| n2d-standard-48                |                 |
| n2d-standard-96                |                 |
| C2 - Compute Optimized         | c2-standard-16  |
| c2-standard-30                 |                 |
| c2-standard-60                 |                 |

{% hint style="info" %}

### Note

The guideline for VM selection is to start with a VM from at least the General Purpose family with a minimum of 16 vCPUs and 64 GB of memory.
{% endhint %}

**Supported GCP Storage**

We recommend that you use Balanced or SSD Persistent Disks with a minimum IOPS of 5000+ and minimum disk space of 500 GB.

**Network Security**

Inbound connections: The Cortex XSOAR server requires that you open HTTPS port 443 for inbound connections.

Outbound connections: outbound ports depend on your integrations and specific requirements. By default, the GCP VPC firewall opens all traffic.

**Supported OS**

Cortex XSOAR supports server installation on these [Linux distributions](/xsoar-6-administrator-guide/6.12/onboard-cortex-xsoar/onboarding-in-cortex-xsoar/single-server-deployment/system-requirements.md).

**GCP Backup**

You can use GCP Persistent Disk Snapshots to back up your GCP Compute Engine VM Disks. Use snapshots for incremental backups, point-in-time restoration, and to view historical data.


---

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