Infrastructure as Code: Benefits, Implementation & Best Practices

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the ability to manage and provision computing resources using code rather than manually configuring settings. Setting up operating systems, database connections, and storage manually every time you need to test or deploy an application is cumbersome and error-prone. IaC automates this process.

IaC allows you to define the desired state of your infrastructure. You don't need to lay out each step to achieve that state. It takes care of the details for you. If you want an application to run in a specific environment, all you have to do is write the code that describes this desired setup. This automation is a huge time-saver and helps you focus on building and improving your applications instead of getting bogged down with infrastructure management.

Benefits of Infrastructure as Code

Consistency and standardization

IaC allows you to reproduce application environments consistently. With IaC, every line of code is a rule for setting up your infrastructure. Whether you are deploying in New York, Tokyo, or a virtual cloud environment, IaC ensures that each setup is uniform. Your app behaves the same everywhere, reducing those pesky "it works on my machine" scenarios.

Version control and change management

When you use IaC, every configuration is stored in a version control system like Git. This means you have a complete history of who changed what and when. 

If someone on your team modifies a load balancer setting that breaks the setup, you don't need to panic. You can easily track changes, identify the issue, and roll back to a previous version. You can also experiment with new configurations without fear. If they don't work out, reverting is a snap.

Efficiency and automation

Reducing manual interventions minimizes human error. Instead of spending hours tweaking settings, you write code once and let it do the heavy lifting. For example, if you need to scale up your database servers during peak hours, you can automate the process. IaC scripts handle the provisioning and configuration, freeing you to focus on crucial decisions rather than mundane tasks.

Scalability and flexibility

With IaC, you can adapt quickly when business needs change. If your company launches a new product line, you might need to spin up a dozen new servers overnight. 

With IaC, spinning up new servers is a breeze. The scripts you've written allow you to scale up or down effortlessly. You can respond to market demands without unnecessary delays. This kind of flexibility keeps your business nimble and competitive, ready to seize new opportunities at a moment's notice.

Key components of IaC for networks

Configuration management tools

These tools ensure your infrastructure is set up and maintained correctly. Ansible is a classic example that many love for its simplicity and power. You can write "Playbooks" in YAML to describe your desired system state. 

Puppet and Chef are in the same league as Ansible. They use a Ruby-based Domain Specific Language (DSL). These tools automatically bridge any configuration gaps. They make sure everything is just as you specified. They’re lifesavers when you need to configure multiple servers consistently and efficiently.

Orchestration tools

These tools help you manage complex deployments with ease. Terraform stands out with its incredible flexibility. It supports major cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, and Azure. With Terraform, you can plan and execute infrastructure changes in a predictable way. 

AWS CloudFormation is another great tool. It's perfectly integrated with AWS, which makes automating deployments a breeze. You can write templates in YAML or JSON to manage my resources. This integration allows you to preview changes and use Rollback Triggers if anything goes wrong. These tools handle the heavy lifting of deploying and organizing resources, which is a huge relief.

Version control systems

These track changes and ensure everything is documented. Git is many people’s favorite for managing IaC code. It keeps a detailed record of who changed what and when. If you mess up a configuration, you can easily roll back to a previous state. 

SVN is another option for version control, though not as popular as Git. Using these systems means you always have a history of your changes. This gives you the flexibility to experiment with new configurations without fear. If something doesn't work, you know you can rely on version control systems to save the day.

With all these tools working together, you have confidence in managing your network infrastructure using IaC. They make the process smooth, efficient, and reliable, allowing you to focus on what really matters—building and improving your applications.

Implementing IaC in company networks

Assessment and planning

Start by evaluating the current infrastructure and identifying areas for improvement. This involves understanding what your infrastructure looks like now and where it's falling short. You need to define clear goals. 

For instance, if you aim to expand services globally without increasing human resources significantly, IaC could be a solution. It’s not just about knowing what you have; it's about knowing where you want to go. 

Ask questions like:

• Do I need more consistent server setups across regions? 
• Is scalability a pressing concern? 

These considerations help inform the next steps in the process.

Choosing the right tools

You must base this decision on specific criteria aligned with company needs, meaning you must assess your current infrastructure to see where it is failing and stop you from meeting your defined goals. 

If your team values simplicity and ease of use, Ansible might be the go-to configuration management tool. Its agentless nature eliminates the need to install additional software on target machines. 

However, if your infrastructure is deeply intertwined with AWS services, AWS CloudFormation could be a better fit because of its seamless integration with AWS. Similarly, if multi-cloud support is crucial, Terraform’s capabilities across AWS, Azure, and GCP make it an appealing choice. You must weigh factors like existing team expertise, tool compatibility, and potential for scaling when making these decisions.

Writing infrastructure code

In this phase, you start translating the desired state of your infrastructure into code. If you are using Terraform, it might look like writing HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL) scripts that define AWS EC2 instances, security groups, and networking components. 

The language you use here is less about syntax and more about ensuring stability and repeatability. By versioning these scripts in Git, you can track changes diligently. This approach keeps your infrastructure code organized and allows for easy collaboration with your team. You can experiment with different configurations, knowing you can always revert to a previous state if something doesn’t work out.

Through planning, choosing the right tools, and writing robust infrastructure code, implementing IaC aligns your network infrastructure with your company’s goals. It’s a strategy that helps you deploy resources efficiently and adaptively, ensuring that you are ready for both current demands and future growth.

How to test and validate your code

Ensuring that your code works as expected across different environments is crucial. Start by writing clear and concise code. This helps you avoid any misunderstandings or discrepancies later. Clear code makes it easier to spot mistakes before they escalate into bigger issues.

I embrace unit testing for your IaC components to verify each part of your code does what it's supposed to. For instance, if you are configuring a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) in AWS using Terraform, you might write unit tests to check that the VPC has the correct CIDR block and subnets. This allows you to catch errors early and ensures each part works in isolation.

Integration testing comes next. This lets you confirm that the different components of your network setup interact correctly. When using Ansible to configure network switches and routers, integration tests help you verify that the switch configurations align with the router settings, ensuring smooth communication throughout the network.

Also prioritize using end-to-end testing, especially in environments that mimic production as closely as possible. For example, if deploying a new security group configuration, simulate traffic patterns to see how the network handles real-world scenarios. This gives you a high level of confidence before applying changes to production environments.

Incorporating static code analysis is another step in the validation process. Tools like Snyk or Coverity scan my IaC code for vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. They help you enforce security standards and avoid common pitfalls. Automated security checks help to maintain a robust network infrastructure.

Integrating these testing methods into my CI/CD pipeline ensures that every change is validated automatically. This integration not only catches issues early but also speeds up the development process. For instance, using GitLab CI/CD, you set your pipeline to execute all relevant tests whenever you push new code. This approach saves time and minimizes risks.

By maintaining rigorous testing and validation standards, you ensure your network configurations are reliable and efficient. You and your teams can deploy with confidence, knowing that you've covered the bases for expected network behavior and security compliance.

How to overcome IaC’s security challenges

Security is a major concern with IaC, especially when it comes to protecting sensitive information within your code. Storing secrets like API keys or passwords directly in your scripts is a big no-no. Instead, use tools like AWS Secrets Manager or HashiCorp Vault to handle these details securely. 

For instance, if you are deploying a new application on AWS, ensure its access keys are stored in Secrets Manager, not hard-coded where they could be exposed.

Hold regular training sessions with your team

Training your team on these new technologies and practices is essential. IaC requires a different skill set than traditional infrastructure management. You can hold workshops to get everyone up to speed on tools like Terraform and Ansible. 

It’s not just about teaching the technicalities but also fostering a mindset shift towards automation and code-based infrastructure management. Spend some time going through hands-on sessions with practical scenarios to ensure everyone is comfortable writing and managing scripts.

Skill requirements extend beyond just learning the tools. My team needs to understand the underlying principles of version control, continuous integration, and secure coding practices. It’s a steep learning curve, especially for those who have spent years manually configuring servers. 

Use project-based learning, where team members contribute to smaller IaC initiatives. This hands-on approach helps them build confidence and competence over time.

Ensure compatibility with cloud services and legacy infrastructures

Integrating IaC with your existing systems presents its own hurdles. If your company has a mix of modern cloud services and older, legacy infrastructures, ensuring compatibility between those environments is critical. 

Sometimes it feels like fitting a square peg into a round hole, especially when older systems weren't designed with automation in mind. For example, when integrating a new CI/CD pipeline with your legacy applications, you have to devise creative solutions to bridge the gap. It involves writing custom scripts and using tools that can speak both cloud-native and traditional infrastructure languages.

Protecting sensitive information and handling the technical demands of IaC can seem daunting. But by focusing on security practices, skill development, and thoughtful integration, you navigate these challenges. This approach allows you to harness IaC's full potential while ensuring that your infrastructure remains secure, reliable, and adaptable.

How Netmaker Helps You Align Your Network With IaC Principles

Netmaker offers a powerful solution for managing virtual overlay networks, aligning seamlessly with the principles of Infrastructure as Code (IaC). By using Netmaker, you can automate the creation and management of secure, scalable networks across multiple environments without manual configurations. This automation helps ensure consistency and reduces errors, which are common in manual network setups. 

For instance, Netmaker's ability to create a flat network allows machines to communicate easily and securely, akin to a virtual private cloud (VPC) but with arbitrary computers. This capability is crucial for businesses that need to maintain uniformity across various locations, such as offices, data centers, or cloud environments, which is essential for testing and deploying applications efficiently and reliably.

Netmaker's features like Egress and Internet Gateways enable clients within a network to securely reach external networks, similar to a traditional VPN setup. This is particularly useful for testing applications in different environments by providing seamless access to necessary resources. 

Furthermore, the integration of Access Control Lists (ACLs) allows businesses to control communications between nodes, ensuring only authorized connections are made. This level of control and security is vital for protecting sensitive information in network configurations. 

Is your organization looking to implement IaC in its networking strategy?

Netmaker provides a robust platform that supports scalability and adaptability to changing business needs. Sign up here to get started with Netmaker and leverage these capabilities.