Infrastructure as code: why is it a key IT issue for the future?

In total rupture with the old approaches

Before this technology existed, the resource pool was always limited by the physical infrastructure. To get rid of this, it was necessary to evolve the configuration to adapt it to the needs. This type of intervention was costly and time consuming.

Virtualization and virtual machines undeniably solve this problem. They allow for the centralized management of controllable resources without a direct link to the infrastructure. This makes maintenance and upgrades much easier.

Rapid deployment of application infrastructures

For this management, many tools have been created. This is for example the case with Terraform scripts. Created in 2014, they allow real-time management via “
shells
” infrastructure. It is also possible to do versioning, controls and tests.

Terraform is an open source solution. Therefore, it can be downloaded and used for free in its basic version. More elaborate paid versions capable of managing the largest infrastructures also exist.

In addition, this software has an active community that allows it to continually improve. Indeed, it is quite possible for everyone to create their own modules or plug-ins to adapt to certain specificities. Finally, Terraform is able to collaborate with other solutions, such as
Azure
or even
Amazon Web Services.

Infrastructure as code: many advantages

Thanks to its programmed and centralized operation, Infrastructure as Code has the advantage of being more flexible and secure than manual management. It does not matter if the interventions need to be done at night or during the weekend. The risk of human error due to repeated actions is also over.

This technology also optimizes efficiency by automating the management of a majority of the company’s resources. In addition, any code written for a particular infrastructure can be reused afterwards, as many times as desired. This helps, for example, to facilitate the management of different environments during the development cycle. You will of course be able to manage multiple versions of your scripts and the documentation that accompanies them. If necessary, you can restore an older version without difficulty.

The concept of Infrastructure as a code is a revolution for infrastructure management. Beyond the time saved for the installation of an OS or the parameterization of an application server, it is especially the gain of documentation. Gone are the days when you had to spend hours trying to find a configuration made by an admin, now everything is documented and reproducible with Terraform scripts. Finally, all these advantages contribute to save a lot of time and money in order to assign employees to other tasks.

Also read in our report on HR – Finance – IT issues and innovations:

• Generation Y is changing the way work is organized: an opportunity for companies!
• Candidate experience: still a central issue for HR departments in 2020
• Corporate training: a transformation in progress?
• Continuous feedback: towards a new management style?
• HR innovation: what can we expect in the coming years?
• Big data and BI: from predictive to prescriptive analysis
• Infrastructure as code: why is it a key IT issue for the future?
• IT containerization is changing application development
• Low code platform: the future of application development?
• SOA and microservices: what are the benefits for an enterprise?
• Performance management: CFOs’ priority for 2020
• The finance department is always at the heart of digital transformation
• Risk management, cash management: what challenges for CFOs in 2020?