The New Approach to Infrastructure Validation: Modularity, Helm Chart Integration, and Decentralized Validation

Introduction:

Automation of infrastructure is one of today’s biggest challenges, especially when working with complex systems and diverse environments. During our discussion, we delved into how we can create a validation and configuration system that supports both Kubernetes-based systems (Helm Chart), native environments (Ansible), and decentralized, modular validation. This article walks the reader through the brainstorming, comparison of solutions, and the journey leading to the final decision.

1. The Problem: Validation in Complex Infrastructures

The initial questions were:

• How can a modular, object-based infrastructure description system be built?
• How can inheritance, data overwriting, and internal references be handled?
• How can we ensure validation works not only in Kubernetes environments but also in native systems?

The main goal was to create a system that:

• Works with modular objects, where each module can be validated independently.
• Uses Helm Chart-based service definitions for Kubernetes systems, but these can also be translated to native environments.
• Implements decentralized validation, where objects validate themselves within their own modules.

2. The Decision-Making Process: Options and Comparison

Several solutions were considered, which were summarized in a decision matrix:

3. The Solution: Helm Chart + JSON Schema + Native Integration

The final system:

• Modularity:Each object is independently defined with its own JSON Schema-based validation.Helm Chart values (value.yaml) are applied to native systems, such as Ansible.
• Validation:Object validation happens at the definition level.Inheritance and overwriting always trigger validation of default values.
• Integration:Helm Chart values can be converted into native configurations.Interoperability between Kubernetes-based and native systems is ensured.

4. The Outcome: Modularity and Flexibility

• Easier Management: With decentralized validation, modules remain independent yet compatible.
• Reusability: Helm Chart structures can be adapted for native systems.
• Scalability: JSON Schema-based validation allows for quick expansion and integration.

5. Lessons Learned and Future Opportunities

The combination of decentralized validation and Helm Chart integration is a highly promising approach, but there are additional avenues for development:

• Automating the validation of complex resources.
• Involving more tools for checking global consistency.
• Adapting and scaling for multiple environments.

Conclusion:

In infrastructure validation and configuration, modularity, flexibility, and multi-environment support play a key role. The approach presented here is a promising step toward truly globally integrated systems.