Tips And Tools For Automating Infrastructure In Cloud And Bare Metal Environments

The astute use of automation lightens the load on IT staff (and also helps with cost management). That being so, here is a list of useful tools and tricks for automating infrastructure in cloud and bare metal environments.

Configuration management tools

The top three configuration management tools are Ansible, Chef and Puppet.

Ansible

Ansible is an open-source tool that provides simple, agentless automation. It uses YAML-based playbooks, making it easy to read and write configuration scripts. Ansible is suitable for both cloud and bare metal environments, allowing you to manage infrastructure as code. Key features include task automation, configuration management, and application deployment. Ansible’s push-based model makes it efficient for dynamic environments.

Chef

Chef is another powerful configuration management tool that uses a Ruby-based DSL (Domain Specific Language) for writing system configurations. It follows a master-client model and is well-suited for both cloud and bare metal environments. Chef automates infrastructure provisioning and configuration, ensuring that environments are consistent and compliant. It integrates seamlessly with various cloud providers and on-premises systems.

Puppet

Puppet is a robust configuration management tool designed for system administrators. It uses a declarative language to define system configurations. Puppet is particularly effective in larger, more complex environments due to its master-agent architecture. This tool ensures consistency across environments by automatically correcting any configuration drifts. Puppet’s ecosystem includes a wide range of modules and integrations, making it versatile for various use cases.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

The top two multi-platform IaaC tools are Pulumi and Terraform. AWS CloudFormation is an excellent resource for AWS users but only works on the Amazon platform.

Pulumi

Pulumi is a modern IaC tool that supports multiple programming languages such as TypeScript, Python, and Go. This flexibility allows developers to use familiar languages to define and manage infrastructure. Pulumi provides robust support for both cloud and on-premises environments, integrating with various cloud providers and services. Its state management and automation capabilities ensure that infrastructure remains consistent and reliable.

Terraform

Terraform is a widely-used IaC tool that allows you to define and provision infrastructure using a high-level configuration language. It supports a wide range of cloud providers and services, making it an ideal choice for managing multi-cloud environments. Terraform uses a declarative approach, enabling users to write infrastructure configurations that can be version-controlled and shared. It also supports modularization, promoting reusable and maintainable code.

Automation frameworks

The three main automation frameworks are GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins and Spinnaker.

GitLab CI/CD

GitLab CI/CD is an integral part of the GitLab platform, providing robust support for automating the build, test, and deployment processes. It uses YAML-based configuration files to define pipelines, which can be version-controlled alongside the code. GitLab CI/CD’s seamless integration with GitLab’s version control and collaboration features makes it a powerful tool for managing both cloud and on-premises deployments. It also supports multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies.

Jenkins

Jenkins is a widely-used automation server that supports continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD). It can automate various stages of the software development lifecycle, from building and testing to deployment. Jenkins’ extensible architecture allows it to integrate with a plethora of plugins and tools, making it suitable for both cloud and bare metal environments.

Spinnaker

Spinnaker is an open-source, multi-cloud continuous delivery platform. It allows you to automate the deployment of applications to cloud environments, supporting multiple cloud providers. Spinnaker’s advanced deployment strategies, such as blue-green deployments and canary releases, help ensure smooth and reliable rollouts. Its integration with CI tools and robust pipeline management capabilities make it a valuable addition to any automation toolkit.

Best Practices for Automation

Here are five key best practices for automating infrastructure in cloud and bare metal environments.

Consistent configuration

Using tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef, maintain uniform configurations to prevent discrepancies and reduce errors. Regularly update and audit your configurations to adapt to changing requirements and security practices.

Version control for IaC

This practice enables you to track changes, collaborate with team members, and roll back configurations if needed. Tools like Terraform and Pulumi support version-controlled infrastructure, enhancing reliability and traceability.

Modular and reusable code

Break down large configurations into smaller, reusable modules. This approach not only simplifies management but also promotes best practices and standardization across your infrastructure.

Automated testing and validation

Use tools like Terraform’s built-in validation features or Chef’s InSpec to ensure that configurations are correct and compliant before deployment. Automated testing helps catch errors early and maintain the integrity of your infrastructure.

Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD)

Tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, and Spinnaker facilitate the automation of these stages, ensuring faster and more reliable deployments. Integrate security and compliance checks into your CI/CD pipelines to maintain a secure and compliant infrastructure.