Infrastructure as code

Definition

Infrastructure as code (IaC) is a modern approach to managing and provisioning computing infrastructure through machine-readable definition files, rather than through physical hardware configuration or interactive configuration tools. This practice allows for automated setup, deployment, and scaling of infrastructure, streamlining the processes of continuous integration and deployment by ensuring environments are consistent and repeatable.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Infrastructure as code enables teams to manage infrastructure using the same principles as software development, leading to greater efficiency and consistency.
2. IaC tools often utilize declarative languages to define the desired state of infrastructure, allowing for automation in deployment processes.
3. By treating infrastructure as code, organizations can apply version control practices to their infrastructure definitions, making it easier to track changes and roll back if necessary.
4. Infrastructure as code is closely linked with DevOps practices, fostering collaboration between development and operations teams for smoother workflows.
5. Common tools used for implementing infrastructure as code include Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, and Ansible.

Review Questions

• How does infrastructure as code enhance the process of continuous integration and deployment?
  • Infrastructure as code enhances continuous integration and deployment by automating the setup and configuration of environments needed for development and testing. By using IaC, teams can define their infrastructure requirements in code, ensuring that environments are consistent and reproducible every time changes are made. This reduces the chances of errors during deployment caused by manual configurations, ultimately accelerating the overall software delivery process.
• Discuss how version control complements infrastructure as code practices in an organization.
  • Version control complements infrastructure as code by allowing teams to track changes made to their infrastructure definitions over time. Just like application code, infrastructure configurations can be stored in version control systems, enabling teams to revert to previous states if issues arise after updates. This capability enhances collaboration among team members, as they can see the history of changes and understand the rationale behind specific configurations or modifications.
• Evaluate the impact of adopting infrastructure as code on traditional IT operations within an organization.
  • Adopting infrastructure as code significantly transforms traditional IT operations by shifting the focus from manual processes to automation and codification. This change leads to increased efficiency, reduced human error, and quicker response times when deploying or scaling infrastructure. Traditional roles may evolve as operational responsibilities shift toward maintaining and developing automated systems rather than performing repetitive tasks. Overall, this transition fosters a more agile environment that aligns better with modern software development practices.

Related terms

Configuration Management: The process of handling updates and changes to a system in a systematic way, often using tools to ensure that infrastructure remains in a desired state.

Version Control: A system that records changes to files or sets of files over time so that specific versions can be recalled later, crucial for tracking changes in infrastructure definitions.

Cloud Computing: The delivery of computing services over the internet, allowing for on-demand access to resources such as servers, storage, and applications.