How to prevent Google Cloud bills from unexpectedly skyrocketing? "Anti-fuse" guide for configuring GCP budget alerts and automatic downtime
In the cloud computing circle, Google Cloud (GCP) is known for its powerful data processing capabilities and extremely fast backbone network, but the complexity of its billing system also makes many developers "scared". Unlike some fixed-bandwidth VPS,GCP's traffic, API calls, and on-demand instances are billed in real time. It is not sensational to generate thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars of bills overnight if you accidentally encounter a DDOS attack, or if the API is called crazily due to a code logic dead loop.
In order to prevent your credit card from becoming a "bottomless pit", establish a set
Automated budget fuse mechanism
is a required course for every GCP user. This article will teach you how to advance from the basic "budget alarm" to "automatic upper limit shutdown".
1. why is the default configuration insecure?
The default logic of GCP is Service First ". Even if you set a budget, GCP defaults.
You will only be notified by email
without actively shutting down your services.
Delay: Budget alerts may be triggered with a delay of less than 24 hours.
Non-mandatory: When you receive the warning email, if you are sleeping at this time, the resources may have been overspent several times when you wake up.
Therefore, we need to build two layers of defense:
Layer 1 (moderate): Multi-level budget alerts (Budgets & Alerts).
Layer 2 (Power): Auto-Shutdown based on Pub/Sub and Cloud Functions.
2. the first layer of defense: configure multi-level budget alarm
This is the most basic operation and must be completed before all projects are launched.
1. Enter the settlement console
In the left menu of the GCP console, select
"Billing" (Settlement)
, click to enter
"Budgets & alerts"
.
2. Set Budget Amount
Scope: Select the item you want to monitor.
Amount: The recommended setting is the amount you expect to spend on a monthly basis (for example, $50).
3. Configure the alarm threshold (Thresholds)
Do not only set a threshold of 100, it is recommended to set four levels of alarm:
50%: Early warning to check whether the business is growing abnormally.
80%: Warning, prepare to clean up non-core resources.
100 percent: severe warning.
120%: Limit, triggering manual intervention.
3. the second layer of defense: realize automatic "fuse" shutdown
How do I get the system to automatically shut down a project when the budget reaches 100 percent? This takes advantage of GCP's
message notification mechanism
.
Core Principle:
Billing Budgets
->
Pub/Sub Topic
->
Cloud Functions
->
Stop Services / Link Ac
count Removal
Step 1: Create a Pub/Sub theme
In the third step of the budget Actions, select Connect a Pub/Sub topic to this budget ".
Create a new theme, named budget-notification.
Now, whenever an alert is triggered, the budget system sends a JSON message to this topic.
Step 2: Write the Cloud Functions fuse function
We need to write a simple piece of code that listens to the above topic and performs a shutdown when we receive a message.
Scenario A (instance shutdown): Write code to call the Compute Engine API and stop all running instances.
Scheme B (Remove Settlement Association-Most Thorough): Removes the settlement account number of the project (Billing Account). Once the project is unbundled and settled, all paid resources (virtual machines, databases, and storage) will stop billing immediately.
Python code example (remove settlement association):
Python
import base64
import json
from googleapiclient import discovery
def stop_billing(data, context):
pubsub_message = base64.b64decode(data['data']).decode('utf-8')
notification_attr = json.loads(pubsub_message)
# Withdraw the current consumed amount and budget amount
cost_amount = notification_attr['costAmount']
budget_amount = notification_attr['budgetAmount']
if cost_amount >= budget_amount:
project_id = "your-project-id"
billing = discovery.build('cloudbilling', 'v1')
name = f'projects/{project_id}/billingInfo'
# Untie the project and settlement account to achieve complete power outage
billing.projects().updat
eBillingInfo(name=name, body={'billingAccountName': ''}).execute()
print(f"Budget exceeded! Disconnected billing for project: {project_id}")
Step 3: Privilege Configuration
Ensure that the cloud function has
Project Billing Manager
Otherwise, it cannot modify the settlement status of the project.
4. optimization strategies for specific resources
In addition to global fusing, you can also limit individual "high-risk" resources:
API call limit: In "APIs & Services" -> "Quotas", you can manually set the daily call limit for some APIs (such as Google Maps API).
Instance type restriction: Use the Organization policy to restrict the creation of only small instances (such as e2-micro instances) in the project to prevent the creation of high-end models with US $per hour due to misoperations.
Large Query Limit (BigQuery): Set "Maximum bytes billed" in the BigQuery console to prevent a single erroneous SQL statement from costing hundreds of dollars.
5. to Solve Cross-border Payment and Account Wind Control: Lingdu Cloud (LingduCloud)
For many domestic developers, the configuration budget is only the first step, and "payment stability" is the biggest worry.
If you encounter the following problems:
Credit card debit failure: resulting in an unexpected shutdown of the project.
Account Number Wind Control (Suspension): As soon as the card is tied, it is required to submit a bill certificate, and the appeal period is long.
Multi-account management: Cross-border business requires multiple isolated GCP environments.
At this time, choose like
LingduCloud (Spirit Cloud)
Such a professional platform is particularly important.
How does the cloud help you control costs?
GCP International Station Recharge: Through Lingdu Cloud, you can use more flexible payment methods without worrying about the risk of arrears caused by personal credit card theft or insufficient amount.
Enterprise-level settlement management: Smart Cloud provides stable distributor accounts, which usually have higher credit limits and lower probability of triggering wind control than personal accounts.
Technical consulting support: When your budget alarm is triggered, the technical team of Spirit Cloud can help you analyze the source of abnormal traffic and provide professional cloud cost optimization (FinOps) recommendations.
6. wrap-up: Don't wait until the end of the month to look at your bill
The strength of Google Cloud lies in its upper limit, and the risk lies in its upper limit. By configuring
Multi-level Budgets alarm
Ggain perception
, through
Pub/Sub automation fuse
Get protection,
Spirit Cloud (LingduCloud)
Solve the worries of the payment side, you can really rest assured in the cloud for development and business expansion.
Final reminder:
Check your regularly.
"Cost Table"
, identify those small but persistent hidden expenses. In the cloud, details not only determine success or failure, but also determine the depth of your wallet.
If you are looking for a stable and safe GCP international account or recharge solution, please consult LingduCloud Zero Cloud and let us escort you on your way to sea.
