Imagine you just got a new project, and you need to set up a web application. Traditionally, you'd manually install software, configure networks, and click through endless menus. It might work fine for one server — but now imagine doing this for 10, 100, or even 1,000 servers. The task quickly becomes overwhelming, time-consuming, and prone to mistakes.

This is exactly the problem Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solves. Instead of repeating manual steps for every server, you define your infrastructure in code — like writing a blueprint for your environment. Then, tools such as Terraform or Ansible read that blueprint and automatically create, configure, and manage your servers. What used to take days or weeks can now be done in minutes, reliably and consistently.

What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?

Once written, tools such as Terraform or Ansible can automatically create, configure, and manage infrastructure based on these blueprints.

Benefits of IaC in DevOps

Tools for Infrastructure as Code

Two of the most popular tools for Infrastructure as Code in DevOps are Terraform and Ansible. Terraform is used to build the infrastructure itself — servers, networks, and cloud services. It is declarative, which means you just describe what you want, and Terraform figures out how to create it. You can think of Terraform as the architect: it designs and constructs the house (your infrastructure).

Once the infrastructure is ready, Ansible steps in to configure it. This includes installing software, applying settings, and managing services or users. Ansible is like the electrician and interior designer — it wires and furnishes the house, making sure everything works properly.

Used together, Terraform and Ansible give DevOps teams full control and automation: Terraform builds the house, and Ansible sets it up and keeps it running. This combination makes deploying and managing applications much faster, more reliable, and repeatable.