When setting up the Snowplow QuickStart Guide on GCP, users may encounter timeout errors during the terraform apply step. This issue is particularly common when creating Cloud SQL instances, as the initialization process can exceed the default timeout duration. This post addresses common causes and solutions for resolving these timeout errors.

Q: Why does the terraform apply command fail with a timeout error?

The terraform apply command may fail if the Cloud SQL instance takes longer than the default timeout to initialize. This often happens during the first deployment attempt, where Cloud SQL can take over 20 minutes to provision, causing Terraform to time out.

Q: How can I resolve the timeout error in Terraform?

1. Extend the Timeout Duration:
   
   • The default timeout for Cloud SQL creation in older Terraform modules is 20 minutes. The latest module version (v0.1.1) extends the timeout to 30 minutes. Update the module to this version:
     
     

module "iglu_db" {

  source  = "snowplow-devops/terraform-google-cloud-sql"

  version = "0.1.1"

}

2. Delete the Cloud SQL Instance and Reapply:
   
   • If the instance times out but eventually completes initialization, Terraform may not recognize it. Delete the instance and reapply:
     
     

gcloud sql instances delete <instance-name>

terraform apply

Q: What are other potential issues to watch for?

• NAT Configuration: If deploying with a secure strategy, ensure that NAT is correctly configured in the VPC. Missing NAT configurations can prevent proper initialization.
  
  
• Region-Specific Latency: Deployment regions can impact provisioning times. Consider deploying in regions with faster Cloud SQL setup times.
  
  

Q: How can I verify that the instance is ready?

Use the following command to check the status of the Cloud SQL instance:

gcloud sql instances describe <instance-name>

Look for the state field to confirm whether the instance is fully initialized.

Final Thoughts

Timeout errors during Terraform deployment on GCP can disrupt the Snowplow QuickStart setup, particularly when creating Cloud SQL instances. By extending the timeout duration and verifying instance states, users can mitigate these issues effectively. For more troubleshooting guidance, refer to the Snowplow QuickStart documentation.