Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Part 2 of the blog series

In the second part of our blog series, we delve deeper into the world of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform.

We will explore different strategies and methods for implementing IaC in Azure, focusing on two key concepts - Terraform Workspaces and Terraform Modules.

Terraform Workspaces:

What are workspaces in Terraform?

Workspaces allow you to manage multiple instances of such a Terraform configuration within a single working directory. This is particularly useful if you need to cover different environments such as development, test and production, but these are configured almost identically.

Use of multiple environments:

With workspaces, you can maintain separate status files for each environment, which enables clear separation and targeted management. For example, you can set up and edit one workspace for the development environment and another for the production environment. This makes it easier to test new configurations without affecting the production environment.

Tips for effective use:

IaC is based on the idea that IT infrastructure can be treated similarly to software - it can be 'written', 'tested', 'managed in versions' and 'automatically deployed'. The basic concepts include:

1. Clear naming: Use meaningful names for your workspaces to avoid confusion.‍
2. Consistent structure: Keep the folder structure and naming conventions consistent across all workspaces. This makes it easier for all developers to understand and maintain.‍
3. Automation: Use automation tools to make it easier to switch between workspaces and apply configurations.

Terraform modules:

What are Terraform modules?

Terraform modules are reusable units of Terraform configurations that contain logically grouped resources. They help to make the code clearer and easier to maintain.

Reusability of modules?

Modules promote the reusability and modularity of your code. For example, you can create a module for a typical web application that contains all the necessary resources such as virtual machines, networks and storage media.

This module can then be reused in different projects and environments with different values.Workspaces allow you to manage multiple instances of such a Terraform configuration within a single working directory. This is particularly useful if you need to cover different environments such as development, test and production, but these are configured almost identically.

Advantages and disadvantages of modules?

Advantages:

• Reusability: Reduction of duplicates and promotion of consistent configurations across projects.

• Modularity: Simplification of the management of large infrastructures by dividing them into smaller, manageable units.

• Maintainability: Makes it easier to update and expand the infrastructure, as changes to a module can be automatically applied to all dependencies.

Disadvantages:

• Complexity: The creation and management of modules can be complex and requires careful planning.

• Troubleshooting: Troubleshooting problems can be more difficult, as the cause may be hidden in a nested module.

Our conclusion?

With the right strategies and methods, both workspaces and modules can significantly simplify and optimize the management and provisioning of your Azure infrastructure.

In order to decide which of the two concepts is the right variant for you, the use case must be considered carefully. The developer's preference can also be a decisive factor. What is important here, however, is that both paths can lead to the goal. It can just potentially be a little more complex.

In the next part of our blog series, we will look at advanced terraforming techniques and the different module variants to help you make an informed decision.