Azure DevOps (Key Components) & IAC with Terraform

Azure DevOps is a comprehensive platform that consists of several components to support the end-to-end software development and delivery lifecycle. Here are the key components of #Azure #DevOps:

1. Azure Boards: Azure Boards provides a set of tools for planning, tracking, and discussing work across teams. It includes features for backlog management, sprint planning, work item tracking, and customizable Kanban boards.
2. Azure Repos: Azure Repos is a version control system that supports both Git and Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC). It enables teams to securely manage and version their source code, collaborate on code reviews, and track changes.
3. Azure Pipelines: Azure Pipelines is a continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) platform. It allows teams to automate build, test, and deployment processes. Azure Pipelines supports building and deploying applications to various targets, such as virtual machines, containers, or cloud services.
4. Azure Test Plans: Azure Test Plans offers tools for manual and exploratory testing, as well as automated testing. It allows teams to create test plans, track test cases, record test results, and generate test reports. Azure Test Plans also integrates with popular testing frameworks and tools.
5. Azure Artifacts: Azure Artifacts is a package management system that helps teams create, host, and share packages. It supports various package formats, including NuGet, npm, and Maven. Azure Artifacts allows teams to store and manage their packages securely, with features for versioning, access control, and package feeds.
6. Azure DevOps CLI: The Azure DevOps CLI is a command-line interface that allows users to interact with Azure DevOps services and automate tasks. It provides commands for managing repositories, builds, releases, work items, and more.
7. Azure DevOps Extensions: Azure DevOps Extensions enable customizing and extending the functionality of Azure DevOps. Developers can create and publish extensions to add new features, integrate with external tools, or automate specific tasks within the Azure DevOps environment.
8. Azure Boards App for Microsoft Teams: The Azure Boards app for Microsoft Teams allows users to access and interact with Azure Boards directly within the Microsoft Teams collaboration platform. It provides seamless integration and improves team collaboration and visibility.

To build an #Azure #DevOps #pipeline for deploying Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using #Terraform, these are general steps:

1. Set up Azure DevOps Project: Create an Azure DevOps project and set up the necessary repositories and resources to store your Terraform code and pipeline configuration.
2. Prepare the Infrastructure as Code: Write your Terraform code to define the desired infrastructure state. This involves creating Terraform configuration files (with .tf extension) that describe the resources you want to provision in Azure.
3. Version Control: Use Azure Repos or connect your Azure DevOps project to an external Git repository to store your Terraform code. Commit and push your Terraform code to the repository.
4. Create an Azure DevOps Pipeline: In Azure DevOps, navigate to Pipelines and create a new pipeline. Select the appropriate repository as the source for your pipeline.
5. Define Pipeline Stages: Configure the stages of your pipeline based on your deployment needs. For example, you might have stages for environment provisioning, testing, and deployment.
6. Define Pipeline Tasks: Within each stage, define tasks to execute specific actions. For deploying IaC with Terraform, you'll typically have tasks like installing Terraform, initializing the Terraform workspace, and applying the configuration to create or update resources.
7. Configure Terraform Variables: Set up pipeline variables to store sensitive or environment-specific values, such as Azure credentials or specific configuration settings needed by your Terraform code.
8. Implement Infrastructure Testing: Include tasks in the pipeline to perform infrastructure testing, such as running Terraform validation or using tools like Terratest or Azure Policy to validate the deployed infrastructure against predefined rules.
9. Add Deployment Approvals: For critical stages, consider adding approval gates to ensure proper authorization before proceeding with the deployment to the next stage.
10. Set Up Artifact Publishing: If you have build artifacts, configure the pipeline to publish them for later stages or for use in CD pipelines.
11. Define Trigger and Branch Policies: Determine the triggering conditions for the pipeline, such as manual triggers, scheduled triggers, or based on changes to specific branches or paths in the repository. Set branch policies to enforce code review and quality checks before merging changes.
12. Save and Run the Pipeline: Save the pipeline configuration and execute a test run to validate the pipeline's functionality and ensure successful execution of your Terraform code.
13. Monitor and Troubleshoot: Monitor the pipeline runs and any associated infrastructure changes. Utilize Azure DevOps logs, notifications, and integration with Azure Monitor or other monitoring tools to troubleshoot issues and track the health and performance of your deployments.

Note:- these steps provide a general overview, and the specifics may vary based on your specific requirements and project structure. It's also important to adhere to best practices, such as securing sensitive information, implementing proper testing and validation, and maintaining a clear separation of environments to ensure reliable and consistent deployments.