What's the difference between Infrastructure as Code and Configuration Management?

• When it comes to the cloud, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and Configuration Management (CM) are inseparable. With IaC, a descriptive model is used for infrastructure management. To name a few examples of infrastructure: networks, virtual computers, and load balancers. Using an IaC model always results in the same setting.

• Throughout the lifecycle of a product, Configuration Management (CM) ensures that the performance, functional and physical inputs, requirements, design, and operations of that product remain consistent.

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Read more about IaC and Config. Management Tools

1. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

• IaC is similar to programming infrastructure, where a descriptive model—usually in the form of code—is employed to manage and provision infrastructure components. It treats infrastructure setups as software, allowing for the automation of infrastructure deployment and management. Through IaC, networks, servers, and other components are defined using code, ensuring consistency and reproducibility across various environments.

2. Configuration Management (CM)

• CM, on the other hand, primarily focuses on maintaining the consistency and desired state of already deployed infrastructure and applications. It deals with configuration drift, ensuring that systems stay aligned with the predefined standards throughout their lifecycle. CM includes managing changes, updates, and configurations of software, ensuring they meet operational and functional requirements.

Give differences on both with suitable examples

• Focus: IaC concentrates on provisioning and defining infrastructure through code, whereas CM manages configurations and ensures consistency post-deployment.

• Scope: IaC covers the creation of infrastructure from scratch, while CM maintains the existing infrastructure's state and configuration.

What are most commont IaC and Config management Tools?

Common IaC Tools:

• Terraform: Known for its versatility and support for various cloud providers.

• AWS CloudFormation: Specifically designed for managing AWS resources through templates.

• Azure Resource Manager: Azure's native IaC tool for deploying and managing resources on the Azure platform.

• Google Cloud Deployment Manager: Google Cloud's IaC solution for resource provisioning.

Common Configuration Management Tools:

• Ansible: Known for its agentless architecture and simplicity.

• Puppet: Offers a robust set of features for configuration management and automation.

• Chef: Provides a strong focus on infrastructure automation and deployment.

• SaltStack: Known for its scalability and speed in managing large-scale infrastructures.

Happy Learning

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-Sri Parthu💝💥