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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.