Kubernetes Cluster on DigitalOcean with Terraform

So, I’ve been using DigitalOcean for the past four years to learn and experiment with all things cloud-related. I was on the hunt for a simple and efficient way to spin up a Kubernetes cluster, and let me tell you, I had options galore — web console, or doctl cli or REST API and Terraform

Being the curious learner I am, I decided to go with Terraform. I was already diving into the world of IaC (Infrastructure as Code), and Terraform seemed like the perfect tool to add to my arsenal. Plus, it boasts some pretty cool advantages! 😉

In this article we explore how to use Terraform to build a Kubernetes cluster on DigitalOcean. It’s going to be an exciting journey! 🚀

Terraform, the popular Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool, offers a streamlined way to provision and manage cloud resources, including Kubernetes clusters. In this article, we’ll explore how to leverage Terraform to build a Kubernetes cluster on DigitalOcean.

TLDR: If you are looking for full code ony you can find it here

Prerequisites

1. Terraform Installed: Download and install Terraform on your local machine.

2. DigitalOcean Account & API Token: Sign up for a DigitalOcean account and create a personal access token with read/write scopes.

3. Basic Terraform Knowledge: Familiarity with Terraform syntax and basic commands is recommended.

Configure Terraform Provider

Start by creating a directory for your Terraform files. Inside, create a file named and configure the DigitalOcean provider with your API token:

Remember to store your API token securely, ideally using environment variables or a secret management tool.

Define Kubernetes Cluster Resources

Next, define the resources for your Kubernetes cluster in :

This configuration creates a cluster named in the region, using Kubernetes version 1.29. It also defines a node pool with 3 worker nodes of the size.

Generating KubeConfig

Next, lets define the resource that allow us to generate file used for accessing the kubernetes cluster.

This configuration uses resource that generates a local file with the given content. This resource is self explanatory, here we are create a file in the current directory with name and we will be using the output of previous resource which is as the content of file

Initialize and Apply Terraform Configuration

Open your terminal, navigate to your Terraform directory, and run the following commands:

Before we dive into the code, you will need to set up your DigitalOcean access token. This token allows Terraform to interact with your DigitalOcean account. You can create one using DigitalOcean’s dashboard and then set it in your environment as follows:

Now lets initialize the terraform workspace using terraform init command.

initializes a working directory and downloads the necessary provider plugins and modules and setting up the backend for storing your infrastructure’s state

creates an execution plan, showing the changes that will be made.

applies the plan and provisions the resources on DigitalOcean. 

Benefits of Using Terraform

1. Automation and Repeatability: Terraform allows you to automate the provisioning process, ensuring consistency and repeatability when creating new clusters. 

2. Infrastructure as Code: By defining your infrastructure as code, you can version control and track changes, promoting collaboration and easier management.

3. Multi-Cloud Support: Terraform supports various cloud providers, allowing you to manage resources across different platforms.

Additional Tips

1. Use Variables and Modules: For larger projects, utilize variables and modules to manage complexity and reuse configurations.

2. Implement Security Best Practices: Ensure your clusters and cloud resources adhere to security best practices.

Conclusion

Terraform simplifies Kubernetes cluster creation on DigitalOcean, offering a reliable and efficient way to manage your infrastructure. By following these steps and exploring additional options, you can easily build and maintain your Kubernetes clusters while embracing the benefits of Infrastructure as Code.