You created an instance of SQL Server 2017 on Compute Engine to test features in the new version. You want to connect to this instance using the fewest number of steps. What should you do?

Connecting to a Windows Server instance on Google Compute Engine requires three key steps performed in the most efficient sequence. First, you must create credentials by setting a Windows username and password through the Google Cloud Console. Second, you must ensure network connectivity by verifying that a firewall rule exists to allow ingress traffic on TCP port 3389, which is the standard for the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Finally, the method with the fewest steps is to click the integrated "RDP" button in the Cloud Console for the specific instance, which simplifies the connection process, and then supply the credentials you created.

A: This option is incomplete. While an RDP client and firewall rule are necessary, it omits the essential step of creating a password to authenticate to the instance. B: This method is less efficient. Manually configuring a separate RDP client involves more steps than using the streamlined "RDP" button provided in the Google Cloud Console. C: This option is incorrect because it specifies verifying a firewall rule for port 22. Port 22 is used for SSH connections to Linux instances, not for RDP connections to Windows instances.

1. Google Cloud Documentation, Compute Engine, "Connect to Windows VMs": This document outlines the standard procedure. It states, "Before you can connect to a Windows VM, you must create a password for it." It then details using the "Set Windows password" button in the console. The document also confirms the use of the "RDP" button for the connection itself. (See section: "Connecting to Windows VMs using the Google Cloud console").

2. Google Cloud Documentation, VPC network, "Use VPC firewall rules": This page describes the default-allow-rdp rule that is automatically created for new VPC networks. It specifies, "This rule allows RDP connections from any source to any VM instance in the network on TCP port 3389." This confirms the port number and the firewall requirement. (See section: "Pre-populated rules in the default network").

3. Google Cloud Documentation, Compute Engine, "Creating and resetting Windows passwords": This guide explicitly details the process of using the Google Cloud Console to generate the necessary credentials for a Windows instance, which is a prerequisite for logging in via RDP. (See section: "Create a password for a new VM").