Infrastructure as Code Tools
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools empower you to manage infrastructure using configuration files instead of a graphical user interface. This approach allows you to construct, modify, and manage your infrastructure in a safe, consistent, and repeatable manner by defining resource configurations that can be versioned, reused, and shared.
N-tier Architecture Components
- Web Servers
- API Servers
- Caching Servers
- Routing Meshes
- Database Servers
These are just a few examples, as there could be many other servers such as authentication servers, OAuth servers, etc. Terraform simplifies managing resources across these tiers and automatically manages dependencies between them.
HashiCorp Terraform
HashiCorp Terraform is an IaC tool that lets you define infrastructure resources in human-readable configuration files. These files can be versioned, reused, and shared, ensuring a consistent workflow for safely and efficiently provisioning and managing your infrastructure throughout its lifecycle.
Terraform as an Infrastructure State Management Tool
State Management
Terraform uses a state file ('terraform.tfstate') to keep track of the infrastructure resources it manages. This state file acts as a source of truth for the resources' current state, enabling Terraform to determine the necessary actions to reach the desired state defined in the configuration files.
Simplification
By maintaining this state, Terraform can manage complex infrastructure setups, handle dependencies between resources, and apply changes incrementally, which simplifies the overall infrastructure management process.
Comparison with Other State Management Tools
- React (UI Component State): Manages the state of user interface components, allowing dynamic and responsive UI updates.
- Redux (Application State): Centralizes the application's state, providing a predictable state container for JavaScript apps.
- Proof of Work Consensus in Bitcoin (Global State Machine): Ensures all participants in the network agree on the current state of the blockchain through a consensus mechanism.
- Proof of Stake Consensus in Ethereum (Global State Machine): Similar to Bitcoin, but uses a different consensus mechanism where validators are chosen based on their stake in the network.
Each of these tools manages state in a specific context, whether it's UI components, application logic, or global decentralized networks. Terraform fits into this landscape by managing the state of infrastructure, making it an essential tool for infrastructure as code (IaC) practices.
Why Choose Terraform?
State Management
Terraform keeps a state file ('terraform.tfstate') that tracks the current state of your infrastructure, including resources like AWS S3 buckets. This state file allows Terraform to identify the differences between the declared configuration and the actual infrastructure, facilitating updates and changes.
Comprehensive Infrastructure Management
Terraform supports managing infrastructure across various providers, enabling multi-cloud deployments. This capability increases fault tolerance and allows for better recovery from cloud provider outages. Using the same workflow to manage multiple providers and handle cross-cloud dependencies, Terraform simplifies the orchestration and management of large-scale, multi-cloud infrastructures.
Reproducibility, Version Control, and Consistency
Terraform’s configuration files promote reproducibility, version control, and consistency, ensuring reliable and predictable infrastructure deployments.
Dependencies Before Starting with AWS
- Download the AWS CLI
- Set Up AWS Credentials
- Install Terraform
Deployment Steps
- Scope: Identify the infrastructure requirements for your project.
- Author: Write the configuration for your infrastructure.
- Initialize: Install the plugins Terraform needs to manage the infrastructure.
- Plan: Preview the changes Terraform will make to align with your configuration.
- Apply: Implement the planned changes.
Track Your Infrastructure
Terraform uses a state file to track your actual infrastructure, serving as the source of truth for your environment. This state file helps Terraform determine the necessary changes to align your infrastructure with your configuration.
Collaborate
Terraform facilitates collaboration by allowing multiple users to work together on infrastructure management, ensuring consistency and efficiency in deployment processes.
Examples
- Please checkout below for examples to manage infrastucture resources in docker and aws
- https://github.com/Nepalichhoro/big-hustler-fullstack-cloud-hub/tree/main/platform_infra_engineering