Analyzing the Compose File

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 74 views

Introduction

As a developer, you've likely encountered issues with hosting your project on Azure, especially when it comes to abstracting the Docker experience. In this article, we'll focus on troubleshooting the Seatsurfing project, which is experiencing inconsistencies when restarting the server in Azure. We'll explore possible causes, including timing and networking issues, and provide solutions to help you resolve these problems.

Understanding the Issue

The Seatsurfing project is a complex application that consists of multiple services, including the server, booking UI, admin UI, and database. When restarting the server in Azure, the application encounters issues, such as:

Only the admin UI or booking UI is available after a restart.
None of the UIs load.
Both UIs load, but the application works fine until the next restart.

These inconsistencies suggest a timing or networking issue, or it may seem random. The problem is further complicated by Azure's abstraction of the Docker experience, which limits the ability to run Docker commands.

Analyzing the Compose File

The provided compose file is a crucial component in understanding the issue. The file defines the services, networks, and environment variables for the Seatsurfing project. However, the file does not seem to affect the issue, as the WEBSITES_CONTAINER_START_TIME_LIMIT and depends_on settings are not making a difference.

Here's the compose file:

version: '3.7'

services:
  server:
    image: seatsurfing/backend
    restart: always
    networks:
      sql:
      http:
    ports:
      - 8080:8080
    environment:
      POSTGRES_URL: 'postgres://seatsurfing:DB_PASSWORD@db/seatsurfing?sslmode=disable'
      BOOKING_UI_BACKEND: 'booking-ui:3001'
      ADMIN_UI_BACKEND: 'admin-ui:3000'
      PUBLIC_URL: 'https://metro-seat-surfing-dev-xxxxxxxxxxx-01.azurewebsites.net'
      FRONTEND_URL: 'https://metro-seat-surfing-dev-xxxxxxxxxxx-01.azurewebsites.net'
      WEBSITES_CONTAINER_START_TIME_LIMIT: 1800
  booking-ui:
    image: seatsurfing/booking-ui
    restart: always
    networks:
      http:
    depends_on:
      - server
      - db
    environment:
      FRONTEND_URL: 'https://metro-seat-surfing-dev-xxxxxxxxxxx-01.azurewebsites.net'
      WEBSITES_CONTAINER_START_TIME_LIMIT: 1800
  admin-ui:
    image: seatsurfing/admin-ui
    restart: always
    networks:
      http:
    depends_on:
      - server
      - db
    environment:
      FRONTEND_URL: 'https://metro-seat-surfing-dev-xxxxxxxxxxx-01.azurewebsites.net'
      WEBSITES_CONTAINER_START_TIME_LIMIT: 1800
  db:
    image: postgres:12
    restart: always
    networks:
      sql:
    depends_on:
      - server
    volumes:
      - db:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    environment:
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: DB_PASSWORD
      POSTGRES_USER: seatsurfing
      POSTGRES_DB: seatsurfing
      WEBSITES_CONTAINER_START_TIME_LIMIT: 1800

volumes:
  db:

networks:
  sql:
  http:

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve the issue, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check the Docker Logs

The Docker logs can provide valuable information about the issue. Check the logs for any errors or warnings that may indicate the cause of the problem.

2. Verify the Network Configuration

The network configuration is critical in ensuring that the services can communicate with each other. Verify that the network settings are correct and that the services are able to communicate with each other.

3. Check the Environment Variables

The environment variables are used to configure the services. Check that the environment variables are set correctly and that they are not causing any conflicts.

4. Use the Azure CLI

The Azure CLI provides a powerful tool for managing Azure resources. Use the Azure CLI to troubleshoot the issue and to verify that the services are running correctly.

5. Check the Azure Portal

The Azure portal provides a graphical interface for managing Azure resources. Check the Azure portal to verify that the services are running correctly and that there are no issues with the resources.

Conclusion

In conclusion, troubleshooting the Seatsurfing project on Azure requires a thorough understanding of the issue and the necessary tools to resolve it. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and get the project running smoothly on Azure.

Additional Resources

For further assistance, refer to the following resources:

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of troubleshooting the Seatsurfing project on Azure. We discussed the possible causes of the problem, including timing and networking issues, and provided solutions to help you resolve these problems. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to Azure hosting and the Seatsurfing project.

Q&A

Q: What is the difference between Azure Web Apps and Azure Container Instances?

A: Azure Web Apps and Azure Container Instances are two different services offered by Azure. Azure Web Apps is a fully managed platform for hosting web applications, while Azure Container Instances is a service for running containers in a managed environment.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with my Azure Web App?

A: To troubleshoot issues with your Azure Web App, you can use the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or Azure SDKs. You can also use tools like Azure Monitor, Azure Log Analytics, and Azure Application Insights to monitor and troubleshoot your application.

Q: What is the difference between a Docker container and a virtual machine?

A: A Docker container is a lightweight and portable way to run an application, while a virtual machine is a self-contained operating system that runs on top of a host operating system. Docker containers are more efficient and easier to manage than virtual machines.

Q: How do I configure my Azure Web App to use a custom domain?

A: To configure your Azure Web App to use a custom domain, you need to add a custom domain to your Azure Web App and configure the DNS settings to point to your Azure Web App.

Q: What is the difference between Azure App Service Environment and Azure Virtual Network?

A: Azure App Service Environment is a fully managed platform for hosting web applications, while Azure Virtual Network is a service for creating and managing virtual networks in Azure.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with my Azure Virtual Network?

A: To troubleshoot issues with your Azure Virtual Network, you can use the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or Azure SDKs. You can also use tools like Azure Network Watcher and Azure Traffic Manager to monitor and troubleshoot your virtual network.

Q: What is the difference between Azure Load Balancer and Azure Application Gateway?

A: Azure Load Balancer is a service for distributing traffic across multiple instances of a web application, while Azure Application Gateway is a service for managing traffic to web applications.

Q: How do I configure my Azure Load Balancer to use a custom health probe?

A: To configure your Azure Load Balancer to use a custom health probe, you need to create a custom health probe and add it to your Azure Load Balancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, troubleshooting the Seatsurfing project on Azure requires a thorough understanding of the issue and the necessary tools to resolve it. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article and the FAQs provided, you should be able to resolve the issue and get the project running smoothly on Azure.

Additional Resources

For further assistance, refer to the following resources:

By following these resources and the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and get the Seatsurfing project running smoothly on Azure.