It is essential to run web-scale applications in today's software-driven, complex world where the computing infrastructure can be hard to see or hear.

Infrastructure management has traditionally been a manually-driven process. Infrastructure as Code is a new approach to infrastructure management, thanks to the growth of virtualization and cloud computing. In this blog, we will be discussing Infrastructure as Code. We'll discuss its benefits, best practices, and challenges. Let's get started.

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The History Of Infrastructure As Code

Many early adopters of the cloud sought to automate their infrastructure provisioning.

Technology has advanced rapidly since that time. We explain why Infrastructure is Code and the foundation of software development today is based on it.

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What Is Infrastructure As Code?

IaC is the practice of continuously using machine-readable codes and programming languages to configure and manage computing infrastructure instead of manually configuring. Computing infrastructure includes databases, web servers, servers, storage, and networks.

Morris' working definition of IaC is that it "is a method for infrastructure automation, based on software development practices." The emphasis is on consistent and repeatable procedures for changing and provisioning systems.

Devops teams typically use a language such as JSON or YAML to modify the description of an environment and version of the configuration using this method. After configuring the environment, the changes are made at the source and not the destination. This allows for more frequent, safer changes in Infrastructure.

IaC forms an integral component of software development. Provisioning infrastructure can be automated so developers don't have to set up each application development or deployment stage manually.

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Declarative Vs. Imperative Infrastructure As Code

There are two main approaches to writing Code when using IaC. Declarative and imperative are the two main approaches. This is what you need to know:

• The system will not deviate away from these steps.
• The declarative approach means that users need only define their end requirements, while the tool or platform will handle the rest.

A declarative approach to infrastructure management is preferable in most use cases, as it provides more flexibility for managing Infrastructure.

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IaaS vs. IaaC

IaC does not mean Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), which is essential to note. These are two distinct concepts.

• Cloud services that provide virtualized computing resources, such as servers, network infrastructure, and storage, are called Infrastructure-as-a-Service.
• It is an infrastructure management tool. The tool isn't limited to cloud resources. You can apply IaC in a variety of environments, including those on-premises.

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How to Use Infrastructure as Code

IaC might seem unnecessary for more superficial and less complex Infrastructure, but this is inaccurate. Infrastructure as Code should be used in every modern software development pipeline.

The benefits of IaC outweigh the costs associated with implementation and management.

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IaC: Advantages

The top IaC benefits are:

• Reduce shadow IT in organizations, and allow Infrastructure to be changed efficiently and timely while application development is ongoing.
• Direct integration with CD/CI platforms.
• Version-controlled configuration and infrastructure changes enable trackable and auditable configurations.
• Reproducible infrastructure configurations allow for easy standardization of Infrastructure.
• Manage configuration drift effectively and maintain Infrastructure and configurations at their desired states.
• It is possible to scale infrastructure management quickly without increasing CapEx and OpEx. IaC reduces CapEx and OpEx costs by eliminating manual interaction and incorrect configuration.

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Iac: When And How To Use It

Unsure when IaC should be used? You can use IaC whenever you need to manage Infrastructure.

It becomes complex as the requirements and tools change. Others may need both configuration and infrastructure management. Next, platform-specific issues like whether the tool is equipped with the required feature set, the security implications, the integrations, etc., come into play. The learning curve is also a factor, as most users prefer a more straightforward tool.

Below is a table that categorizes the above tools according to ideal uses.

In many scenarios, one tool is not enough. Terraform, for example, may work well to manage Infrastructure in multiple cloud environments but may not be able to handle complex configurations. Ansible can be used to perform the configurations in these situations.

Users can also mix and match IaC tools and include them in CI/CD pipelines based on their needs.

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Infrastructure As Code And Devops Meet

Infrastructure as Code, which automates initial configuration and changes afterward, is integral to devops. In this practice, developers and operators work together to deliver software faster and more frequently. IaC can free application developers from manual work by automating and versioning the infrastructure build.

Code used to maintain and provision infrastructure can bring together developers and operations specialists earlier in the lifecycle of the software. It also helps instill discipline, clarity, and repeatability in software development. IaC is a vital tool for devops teams to work together efficiently. Automation and collaboration are two of the core tenets.

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Infrastructure Benefits as Code

Software development benefits from Infrastructure as Code are greater than those of manual development and configuration. Below, they are described:

1. Improved Consistency And Repetition: Automated Infrastructure reduces errors and application downtime. Configured environments can be used for multiple applications. Source code documentation is easily readable by anyone with technical knowledge.
2. Version Control And Collaboration: Making manual changes, like adding new features to an existing system, is a dangerous business. Iac stores the source code of previous versions. Users can then quickly return to an older version in case of a security breach or any other unforeseeable occurrence. The team members can collaborate seamlessly on the project from different locations.
3. Management Of Costs: Traditionally, provisioning and developing are done in data centers. Companies' maintenance of such systems is expensive and unsuited to small businesses and startups. Cloud providers offer virtual environments that can be used for deployment and automation. They charge on an as-needed basis.
4. Idempotency: Impotence is repeatedly deploying Code without affecting previous deployments. You can see this when you add a new Code. This ensures only a new Code is applied. Specific IaC software tools include features to make the source code irreversible.
5. Compliance And Security: The automated Infrastructure allows businesses to deploy applications in compliance with specified guidelines and under safe working conditions. Infrastructure is designed with security in mind. Security breaches are avoided by deploying the Code continuously in different environments.

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How Does Infrastructure As Code Work?

The imperative and declarative approaches are the two ways to approach Infrastructure as Code. In the imperative approach, users must specify the steps they would like a system or application to take. In contrast, users can only describe the desired result in the declarative method. Platforms can take the necessary steps to reach the desired result. The declarative approach is preferred because it allows for the flexibility and use of many tools.

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Immutable Infrastructure vs. Mutable Infrastructure

Mutable Infrastructure can be modified after installation. This dynamic Infrastructure allows for changes in configuration, Code, or applications.

Immutable Infrastructure cannot be altered once set up. The only way to make changes is by creating and deploying a brand-new version of Infrastructure.

They differ in the degree of flexibility and control they offer users. Both have advantages and disadvantages; the best choice depends on your project's specifications.

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Code as Infrastructure Tools

Implementation tools for the Infrastructure as Code Process

Below we discuss some tools that can be used to implement Infrastructure as Code.

1. Terraform: Terraform is an IaC Tool that uses accessible APIs to manage and create resources. Users can define workflows for provisioned Infrastructure, which are available on cloud or on-premise provider stations. This tool can be used for provisioning and managing Infrastructure across different cloud providers like AWS GCP Azure and more.
2. Ansible: Ansible is a Python-based open-source IaC application that can provision and configure applications. The pre-built modules are easy to use and only change a system if necessary. The software runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Ansible manages configuration and automates security, network, and provision servers.
3. Kubernetes: Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration software. It is also used to manage Infrastructure and provision it. It is compatible with major operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. With little or no downtime, applications can be continuously built, tested, and containerized. Kubernetes features include database management, migration to the cloud, and continuous integration.
4. AWS cloudFormation: AWS is an application that allows you to manage and provision AWS applications using its resources. CloudFormation creates applications using templates that describe the resources, their properties, and other attributes. The templates are easily reusable and can be deleted. AWS CloudFormation has unique features, such as replicating Infrastructure across different regions. Version control and scaling are also included.

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Deployment of Code as Infrastructure

First, the team of developers must specify what Infrastructure is required to deploy applications. This can be done with tools such as Ansible or Terraform and a programming language specific to the domain. They may include databases, servers, and application load-balancing. The Code will then be managed using a versioning system such as Git. The goal is to encourage collaboration and identify changes.

The Code is checked for correctness before deployment. Automating the test procedure is a must. After testing, continuous integration and deployment are incorporated into the process. The software lifecycle is followed to ensure that applications are treated correctly. Automation tools like CircleCI or Jenkins are used to deploy the Code. Monitoring and logging begin after the Code for Infrastructure has been successfully deployed. It is important to follow security protocols for optimal performance.

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Create and Manage Infrastructure as Code Configurations

To ensure success, creating and managing configurations of Infrastructure requires a step-by-step process.

The first thing to do is specify the hosting requirements. It is essential to take this step, as it will determine the outcome of your project.

Next, choose an infrastructure tool that is suitable for your Code. AWS CloudFormation is a popular tool, as are Terraform, Ansible, and Chef. The Code is then written. Domain-specific. The programming language must be compatible with IaC tools.

After the Code is stored, it is tested and integrated into a CI/CD system.

Jenkins, an automation tool, is used to automate the deployment of infrastructure code into the production environment. Monitoring is done to identify any potential problems with the infrastructure service.

All of these practices improve infrastructure automation and reliability. They also manage and scale it.

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Implementing Infrastructure As Code: Best Practices For Implementation

Here are some best practices to implement and deploy Infrastructure as Code.

1. Continuous Integration And Version Control: Version Control allows teams to work together on projects while simultaneously making changes to infrastructure code without conflict. Continuous integration ensures that any infrastructure code changes will be automatically tested and then deployed without affecting existing projects.
2. Validation: The testing ensures that the source code meets all requirements and works appropriately. Testing can be divided into two categories: unit tests, which are focused on a single part of Code, and integration tests, which validate transactions between different components. The infrastructure code must be validated to ensure compliance with security, governance, and compliance policies. The infrastructure code must be tested and validated to ensure its security.
3. Organization And Documentation: The team documents the Code to help them understand it. The documentation is created using Markdown, coding, and illustrations. It is essential to update the documentation regularly for it to remain current. Organizing Code with a consistent structure is crucial to make it easier to understand, maintain, and scale. Version control can help.
4. Orchestration And Automation: Automating processes eliminates errors and manual work, allowing for more efficient software development. The orchestration process involves coordinating the work of several infrastructure components. Kubernetes or Docker can help with this. Automation and orchestration can be used to manage finance, accelerate deployments, and ensure Infrastructure works appropriately.

Read More: Cloud Computing Benefits And Challenges - Detail Guide

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Infrastructure Challenges as Code

There are still challenges to implementing Infrastructure as Code, despite its advantages. These are:

1. A Steep Learning Curve: the time or duration required to become proficient in a specific skill. Some IT professionals find switching from manual configurations to automated workflows associated with IaC challenging. To counteract this, organizations can enroll their employees in IaC-specific development programs and support them to use free online resources for their growth.
2. Infrastructure: The tools used for manual configuration differ from IaC, which is more complex. Automation can become a challenge for some as Code grows in size. Modular Code, template, and version control can help.
3. An Organizational Cultural Shift: Working in a fast-paced environment requires constant communication, continuous collaboration, and learning new concepts. A positive attitude and a willingness to learn are essential for moving from manual processes to automated ones. It may be challenging due to the existing hierarchy in an organization. However, reorientation programs and new roles can help.

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IaC in DevOps: A Real World Example

In the context of developing software, the testing environment for newly developed Code must mirror the actual environment in which the Code will be used. Only by creating errors and conflicts that may affect the whole system can you ensure that the new Code won't clash with the existing definitions.

Software delivery used to follow a pattern similar to this:

1. The System Administrator will install all the necessary service packs and tune the server to reflect the current status of the live main machine supporting the production environment.
2. A Database Administrator will then go through the same procedure for the Support database and hand the machine over to the test team.
3. Testers would then run operational and compliance checks.
4. After the Code is tested, it can be deployed to the operational environment. The new Code may not work in some cases. Additional troubleshooting or rework is required.

The manual recreation of an environment can lead to many human errors that are likely small but significant.

• OS version
• Patch level
• Time zone

It is guaranteed to work in the original live environment if it worked in the cloned live environment.

Imagine having separate environments to test, debug, and produce software. It seems pointless to have a DEV or UAT environment, which is not a replica of the production environment, given that these early environments are crucial for measuring quality and readiness to produce software builds.

Virtualization accelerated this process, particularly in creating and updating a test environment that mirrored the real world. The process, however manual it was, required a person to create the test server manually and then update it appropriately and on time. DevOps made these processes even more "agile" Automation of the testing and virtualization phases for servers replaces manual intervention and improves productivity.

To illustrate, in the past, it took several hours and a workforce to finish the software deployment process (Developers/System Administrators, Database Administrators/Administrators, Operation Testers).

It is now possible for the developer to complete all tasks by himself:

1. Developers write the Code for the applications and configuration management instructions to trigger the actions of the virtualization environments, as well as other environments, such as databases, appliances, and testing tools.
2. Upon delivery of the new Code, the configuration management instructions create a virtual test environment with an application server and database that mirrors precisely the structure of the operational environment, including service packs, versioning, and the data transferred into the virtual environment. This is part of the Infrastructure as Code process.
3. A set of tools is then used to perform the necessary tests for compliance and identify and resolve errors. After the new Code has been created, it is ready to be deployed into the IT environment.

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Conclusion

It is an innovative way to manage IT Infrastructure. The project teams are between teams on projects while also reducing human error risk. Cost management, scalability, and reliability are among its benefits. Despite the challenges in specific organizations, these can be overcome with the right strategies.

Cloud computing and DevOps are accelerating the use of Infrastructure as Code in software development.