Best Practices for Infrastructure as Code (IaC) on AWS with Terraform

Terraform has taken the world of AWS infrastructure as code (IaC) by storm. But why is it so popular? Because the efficiency, scalability, and control it brings to your cloud environment. However, to truly unlock Terraform's full potential, you need more than just the basics. You need a set of best practices that will empower you to build, manage, and scale your AWS infrastructure with confidence.

In our previous blog, IaC on AWS with Terraform: Critical Mistakes to Avoid, we outlined the common pitfalls even seasoned engineers encounter. Now, let us share with you some best practices that will elevate your Terraform game when it comes to IaC on AWS.

7 Best Practices for IaC on AWS with Terraform

Terraform and AWS are a power duo for IaC. These are some best practices on how to make the most of them, while keeping things simple and efficient:

1. Leverage Terraform Workspaces for Multi-Environment Management

Instead of maintaining separate Terraform configurations for each environment (development, staging, production), use workspaces. This keeps your code DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself), ensures environment isolation, and simplifies the management of different configurations.

2. Automate Testing with Terratest (or Similar Tools)

Don't just rely on manual checks. Write automated tests to verify that your infrastructure functions as expected after deployment. Terratest is a popular framework for Terraform testing, but other options like kitchen-terraform also exist. This helps you catch errors early and prevent costly downtime.

3. Utilize the Full Power of the AWS Provider

Dive deep into the Terraform AWS Provider's documentation and explore its rich feature set. This goes beyond just basic resource creation; you can leverage data sources, implicit dependencies, and lifecycle hooks to automate complex tasks and orchestrate sophisticated infrastructure setups.

4. Adopt a GitOps Approach

Go beyond just version control. Use Git as your single source of truth for infrastructure changes. Every change should be made through a Git commit, which can trigger automated pipelines for testing and deployment. This improves collaboration, traceability, and auditability.

5. Catch Errors Before They Cause Chaos

Terraform can double-check your input variables to make sure they're in the right format and within acceptable ranges.  This prevents those "oops" moments that can lead to configuration errors and downtime.

6. Prioritize Security

• Give Terraform the bare minimum permissions it needs – no more, no less.
• IAM Roles: Use these instead of access keys to give Terraform its AWS credentials. This way, you avoid hardcoding sensitive information.
• Stay Vigilant: Regularly review your IAM policies to ensure they're up-to-date and secure.

7. Continuously Learn and Stay Updated

Terraform and AWS are constantly evolving. Make it a habit to stay updated with the latest releases, features, and best practices. This will help you leverage the newest capabilities and ensure that your infrastructure remains secure and efficient.

Bonus:

• Tagging: Tag your AWS resources for easier organization and cost tracking.
• Lifecycle Management: Use Terraform's lifecycle options to control how resources are created and destroyed.
• Document Everything: Clear, concise documentation helps everyone understand your infrastructure.
• CI/CD: Automate testing and deployment to catch errors early and streamline your workflow.

Keep learning. Terraform and AWS evolve rapidly. Stay updated with the latest best practices, releases, and features to ensure your cloud infrastructure is always at its best.

Need Terraform Expertise? Let StratusGrid Help!

Despite the many benefits, IaC with Terraform on AWS can be a challenge. At StratusGrid, we specialize in modernizing and optimizing AWS environments with Terraform. Our team of experts can guide you through the entire process, from crafting robust configurations to implementing best practices for security, scalability, and cost efficiency.

Contact StratusGrid today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a more reliable, efficient, and future-proof cloud infrastructure.