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Google Cloud Storage Setup for gCloud Explorer

A guide to creating a service account key for direct media streaming from Google Cloud Storage.

Why Google Cloud Storage?

Google Cloud Storage provides a powerful and flexible backend for applications like "gCloud Explorer." This section highlights the key benefits that enable seamless, high-performance media streaming directly from the cloud.

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Global Scalability

Handle any amount of data, from a single file to petabytes, without any manual provisioning or configuration.

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Low Latency

Features like Cloud CDN deliver your media files with minimal delay for a smooth, buffer-free streaming experience.

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High Durability

Your files are replicated across multiple locations, guaranteeing high availability and protecting against data loss.

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Cost-Effective

Optimize costs with different storage classes based on how frequently your media files are accessed.

Google Cloud Storage vs. Google Drive: The Better Choice for Media

While Google Drive is perfect for personal file storage and collaboration, it is not designed for direct application access. Google Cloud Storage, on the other hand, is a purpose-built object storage service that provides key advantages for apps like "gCloud Explorer."

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    API-Centric Design: Google Cloud Storage is a core Google Cloud service, built for robust, high-performance API access. This allows "gCloud Explorer" to stream your media directly from the cloud without the overhead of a consumer-focused file system.
  • 🛡️
    Programmatic Control: Google Cloud Storage offers fine-grained Identity and Access Management (IAM) controls. This means you can create a service account with read-only permissions, ensuring the app can only view your media and nothing more.
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    Optimized for Streaming: Google Cloud Storage and its associated services like Cloud CDN are engineered for delivering content with low latency and high throughput, which is essential for a smooth, buffer-free media streaming experience.
  • 💰
    Pay-as-you-go Pricing: With Google Cloud Storage, you only pay for the storage and network usage you consume. There are no fixed storage tiers, making it a flexible and cost-effective solution for large media libraries.

First, create your free Google Cloud Storage bucket. Then, download the gCloud Explorer app to get started!

Start Your Free Bucket Download gCloud Explorer

Your 4-Step Setup Guide

This walkthrough will guide you through creating a secure service account for "gCloud Explorer." Follow the steps in order to generate the JSON key required by the application to access your private Google Cloud Storage bucket.

Step 1: Create Service Account

A service account is a special type of Google account intended to represent a non-human user that needs to authenticate and be authorized to access data in Google APIs.

  1. Navigate to the Google Cloud Console.
  2. In the navigation menu, go to IAM & Admin > Service Accounts.
  3. Click the + CREATE SERVICE ACCOUNT button at the top of the page.

  4. Enter a descriptive name for your service account. We recommend:

    gcloud-explorer-media-viewer
  5. Click CREATE AND CONTINUE.

Step 2: Grant Permissions (IAM Roles)

To follow the principle of least privilege, we'll grant only the permissions necessary for the app to view and list your media files, ensuring it cannot modify or delete them.

  1. In the "Grant this service account access to project" section, find the Select a role dropdown.

  2. Search for and select the `Storage Object Viewer` role. This provides read-only access to objects.

    Storage Object Viewer
  3. Click CONTINUE.
  4. You can skip the next optional step by clicking DONE.

Step 3: Create and Download the JSON Key

This is the final step. The JSON file you generate is a sensitive credential. Treat it like a password and keep it secure. "gCloud Explorer" will use this file to authenticate.

  1. On the Service accounts page, find the account you just created and click its email address.
  2. Select the Keys tab.
  3. Click the ADD KEY dropdown menu and select Create new key.
  4. In the pop-up, ensure the JSON key type is selected.
  5. Click CREATE.
  6. Your browser will download the JSON key file. Save this file in a secure location and do not share it publicly. This is the file you will provide to "gCloud Explorer".

Step 4: Set Credentials in gCloud Explorer

Once you have downloaded the key, you need to provide it to gCloud Explorer so the app can authenticate with your Google Cloud Storage bucket.

  1. Open the gCloud Explorer application and navigate to the Settings page.
  2. Locate the field for Service Account JSON Key.
  3. Open the JSON key file you downloaded in a text editor.
  4. Copy the entire content of the file.
  5. Paste the copied content into the Service Account JSON Key field in the settings.
  6. Click Save. The application is now ready to stream media from your bucket.

Need More Help?

If you encounter any issues or have questions, please feel free to contact our support team.

[email protected]
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