No-Code Terraform: Create Self-Service Modules Easily

In the fast-paced world of technology, the demand for rapid and efficient cloud infrastructure deployment has never been higher. However, not everyone in a company possesses the technical skills required to work with intricate tools like Terraform. This is where no-code provisioning steps in, offering a simplified and user-friendly way to deploy infrastructure. This approach is particularly beneficial for junior developers and non-technical staff as it allows them to manage infrastructure without deep technical knowledge.

The Challenge: A Junior Developer’s Perspective

Consider the scenario of Alex, a fresh graduate who has just started working as a junior developer at an up-and-coming tech startup. Alex’s first task involves deploying a new application to the cloud. However, the startup utilizes Terraform for infrastructure provisioning — a tool Alex is unfamiliar with. This situation presents a common challenge: the need to swiftly provision cloud infrastructure while lacking the expertise to effectively use Terraform. Here, no-code provisioning becomes a valuable asset.

The Solution: Introducing No-Code Provisioning

No-code provisioning, as available in platforms like HCP Terraform and Terraform Enterprise, transforms the way infrastructure is deployed. It empowers platform teams to create pre-configured modules that can be deployed with minimal effort. Users can deploy these modules without writing any code, making the process accessible to individuals without technical backgrounds or extensive Terraform knowledge.

Understanding No-Code Provisioning

For Platform Teams:

1. Create Terraform Modules: Collaborate with company stakeholders to develop modules that incorporate best practices and company standards for various infrastructure components.
2. Configure No-Code Ready Modules:
   • Assign default values for variables.
   • Specify the module version for no-code deployments.
   • Define input variables that end-users can adjust.
3. Enable No-Code Functionality:
   • Mark modules as "No-Code Ready" when publishing to HCP Terraform’s private module registry.
   • Establish a dedicated project for no-code provisioning.
   • Link the project to the prepared modules.
4. Setup Cloud Provider Credentials: Configure the necessary credentials in HCP Terraform to ensure secure deployments.
5. Create User Documentation: Develop clear instructions for end-users on accessing and using the no-code interface.
   

   For End-Users (like Alex):
   

6. Access the No-Code Interface: Log into HCP Terraform and navigate to the organization’s private registry.
7. Select a Module: Choose an appropriate "No-Code Ready" module for your task.
8. Input Parameters: Enter the required parameters through an intuitive interface, such as application name, region, or resource specifications.
9. Review and Deploy: Check your inputs and click deploy. HCP Terraform handles the provisioning process in the background.
10. Monitor Deployment: Track the deployment progress and receive notifications upon completion or if any issues occur.
    

    Setting Up No-Code Provisioning: A Guide for Platform Teams
    

    To demonstrate how a platform team can set up no-code provisioning, consider this basic example. You’ll create a simple Terraform module, publish it to your private registry, and use it to deploy resources on AWS.

    Step 1: Configure Terraform Module for No-Code Use
    

    Begin by forking an example repository. Note that module repositories published to the Terraform registry must adhere to a specific naming format: terraform-–.

    In no-code modules, declare the provider configuration within the module itself. This simplifies the process for users unfamiliar with Terraform and infrastructure management. An effective no-code module focuses on specific use cases, limits necessary variable configurations, and makes reasonable assumptions about usage patterns.

    For instance, the variable configuration would be detailed in a variables.tf file.

    Step 2: Publish the No-Code Module
    

    No-code modules define releases using branches or semantically versioned tags. In this case, we’ll use tags.

    Navigate to your organization’s private registry in HCP Terraform, select Publish > Module, and choose the version control system your module is linked to. If needed, configure your VCS connection.

    Select the repository containing your no-code module, choose your publishing type, and add the module to the no-code provision allowlist.

    Before deploying, create a new project for no-code provisioning and set up a provider credentials variable set to provision to your cloud provider.

    Congratulations! You have published a no-code module, ready for end-users to deploy infrastructure.

    Using No-Code Provisioning: A Guide for End-Users
    

    The user workflow for no-code modules is straightforward and involves two main steps.

    Step 1: Deploy the No-Code Ready Module
    

    As an end-user, visit the Registry, select the module to deploy, and initiate the ‘Provision workspace’ workflow. Fill in the module’s defined variables, name your workspace, and select the project for deployment. Opting for ‘Auto-apply’ allows provisioning to proceed without manual intervention.

    Finally, click ‘create workspace’ to start deploying your resources.

    Step 2: Review Deployed Infrastructure
    

    Once deployed, Terraform runs in the background, completing the plan and apply phases. Verify that the Terraform run successfully applied and all resources were provisioned as expected by reviewing the outputs tab on the Overview page.

    Congratulations! You’ve deployed your necessary infrastructure in minutes without writing any code.

    Recap
    

    Terraform’s no-code provisioning is revolutionizing how organizations handle infrastructure management. By removing the complexities of Terraform, companies can enable a broader range of team members to contribute to infrastructure deployment while adhering to control and best practices.

    For junior developers like Alex, this means focusing on application development without getting entangled in infrastructure complexities. Similarly, non-technical team members can quickly set up necessary resources without relying heavily on other teams.

    Embracing Further Abstraction
    

    Adopting no-code provisioning accelerates digital transformation, enhances team collaboration, and ultimately delivers value to customers more efficiently. To explore no-code modules, consider signing up for HCP Terraform. For a more detailed tutorial, you can explore the official documentation on creating and using no-code modules.

    No-code modules are a key element of an internal developer platform (IDP), but they are just the beginning. An IDP extends into Day 2+ operations, offering simplified experiences for build promotions, rollbacks, and feature flag management.

    HashiCorp enables self-service for developers through various means: integrating with platforms like ServiceNow or Backstage via Terraform or no-code modules, or offering HCP Waypoint for a comprehensive IDP solution.

    In an upcoming article, we’ll delve into HCP Waypoint, HashiCorp’s platform that encapsulates these concepts for complete application lifecycle management.

    For more information, visit HashiCorp’s website.

For more Information, Refer to this article.