Migrate Deployment from Vercel to Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

[sandeshlavshetty]

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Title: Migrate Deployment from Vercel to Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

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Description

The current I.N.S.P.I.R.E project is deployed using Vercel, which provides simplicity for frontend hosting. However, to enhance scalability, flexibility, and integration with other cloud services, we aim to migrate the deployment to Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

This migration will allow us to:

1. Leverage GCP’s robust infrastructure for better scalability and performance.
2. Use GCP services like Compute Engine, Cloud Run, or App Engine for backend hosting.
3. Centralize the management of APIs, databases, and deployment under one cloud provider.
4. Optimize costs with GCP’s pricing models and flexibility.

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Tasks

1. Setup GCP Environment

• Create a Google Cloud project for the I.N.S.P.I.R.E project.
• Enable necessary APIs and services:
  • Compute Engine, App Engine, or Cloud Run (depending on architecture).
  • Cloud Storage for static assets (if applicable).
  • Cloud Build for CI/CD pipelines.

2. Backend Deployment

• Containerize the backend application using Docker (if not already done).
• Deploy the backend to one of the following GCP services:
  • Cloud Run (serverless, fully managed).
  • Compute Engine (for VM-based deployment).
  • App Engine (for PaaS-based deployment).
• Configure environment variables securely in GCP.

3. Frontend Deployment

• Migrate the frontend (currently hosted on Vercel) to Cloud Storage with a Cloud CDN for serving static files.
• Set up proper routing and caching for the frontend.

4. Database Connection

• Update the database connection settings in the backend for GCP deployment.
• If using GCP’s Cloud SQL or Firestore, configure database access and migrate data if needed.

5. DNS Configuration

• Update the domain DNS settings to point to the GCP deployment.
• Set up HTTPS using GCP’s managed SSL certificates.

6. CI/CD Pipeline

• Configure a CI/CD pipeline with Cloud Build to automate deployments:
  • Trigger builds on push to the main branch.
  • Build and deploy the backend to Cloud Run/App Engine.
  • Sync the frontend with Cloud Storage.

7. Testing

• Test the new deployment for:
  • API response times and functionality.
  • Frontend availability and proper routing.
  • Database connections and query performance.
• Perform stress testing to ensure scalability under high load.

8. Documentation

• Update the README with deployment instructions for GCP.
• Provide a migration guide for developers/contributors.

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Expected Outcome

• The I.N.S.P.I.R.E project is fully migrated to Google Cloud Platform.
• Improved scalability, centralized management, and flexibility for future enhancements.
• Seamless integration of the frontend, backend, and database under GCP.

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Additional Notes

• Ensure minimal downtime during the migration process.
• Keep a backup of the current Vercel deployment for rollback if needed.
• Use GCP’s free tier services where applicable to optimize costs during initial setup.

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