How should a new service that will be accessed only by other services in a GKE cluster be configured for quick scaling?

A service that will be accessed only by other services within a Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) cluster requires efficient configuration for scaling while maintaining internal network access. The correct approach involves the use of a Horizontal Pod Autoscaler along with a ClusterIP Service.

The Horizontal Pod Autoscaler is designed to automatically adjust the number of active pods based on the demand for the service. This enables quick scaling in response to varying workloads, which is crucial for applications that may face sudden bursts of traffic or require resource adjustments during operation.

Choosing a ClusterIP Service is appropriate in this context because it allows the service to be accessible only within the cluster, providing an internal endpoint for other services. This is ideal for microservices communication where direct external access is not necessary. It keeps the service secure and isolated from external traffic, reducing exposure to potential vulnerabilities.

In contrast, using a NodePort Service would open the service to external traffic, which is unnecessary and potentially risky when the service is solely for internal consumption. A Vertical Pod Autoscaler focuses on adjusting resource requests and limits for existing pods rather than scaling the number of pods, which is less suitable for quick scaling needs.

Thus, the combination of a Horizontal Pod Autoscaler for dynamic scaling and a ClusterIP Service for controlled internal