Google Compute Engine: what is the difference between disk snapshot and disk image?

Question

I\'ve been using both for my startup and to me, the functionality is the same. Until now, the instances I\'ve been creating are only for computation. I\'m wondering how GCE dis

Answer 1

Snapshots:

• Good for backup and disaster recovery
• Lower cost than images
• Smaller size than images since it doesn't contain OS, etc.
• Differential backups - only the data changed since the last snapshot is recreated
• Faster to create than images
• Snapshots are only available in the project they are created (now it is possible to share between projects)
• Can be created for running disks even while they are attached to running instances

Images:

• Good for reusing compute engine instance states with new instances
• Available across different projects
• Can't be created for running instances(unless you use --force flag)