Mastering Terraform: Infrastructure-as-Code Essentials

This workshop has been carefully crafted to assist you in achieving Terraform certification.

In this workshop, you will learn the essentials of infrastructure-as-code using Terraform, a popular tool for building, changing, and versioning infrastructure. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this event will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to master Terraform and take your infrastructure automation to the next level.

Introduction to Infrastructure-as-Code and Terraform

Creating a solid foundation is critical. In the intro, you will dive into what Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) is, Terraform’s composition, how it compares to other tooling, and IaC patterns and practices.

Terraform Basics

Knowing the constructs at your disposal to build with, along with when to use them, creates good habits from the beginning. In the basics, you will learn about Terraform block types, how inputs/outputs work, and the process of using initialize, plan, apply, and destroy to manage infrastructure. Using this knowledge, you will build your first Terraform project.

Provisioning Real Infrastructure

Starting off small is winning. In this lab, we will create some basic infrastructure on AWS including basic networking, EC2 instances, and internet ingress/egress. We will then replicate this workflow with Azure.

Interacting with Resources outside your State File

Integrating with infrastructure outside of your state file is important. In this lab, we will look at how to reference infrastructure with data sources, and how to import infrastructure that isn’t managed in any Terraform state.

Debugging Terraform

Learning to debug Terraform can save you time and help you identify the cause of issues quickly, leading to faster resolutions. In this lab, you will learn how to debug Terraform and solve commonly occurring problems.

Working with Modules

Maximizing reusability and reducing complexity leads to streamlined operations. In this lab, you will learn about Terraform Registry, how to use modules, when to use modules, and the process for building your own modules.

Advanced use of HCL

Learning complex types, build-in functions, dynamic expressions, and other advanced syntax and functions can help solve complex problems at scale. In Advanced use of HCL, we will go deeper into the language that powers Terraform.

Advanced State Management

Knowing how to interact with and keep Terraform State accurate is a crucial component of operations. In this lab, you will practice local state management and advanced state backend management.

Terraform Cloud and CICD

To close things out, you will learn why Terraform Cloud is a good choice for managing your infrastructure, especially in an enterprise or team environment.

Nearly 2 decades of experience across engineering domains with a focus spanning Leadership, Strategy, Technical Management, Engineering, DevOps, and Security.Engineering experience crosses language and paradigm boundaries including Object-Oriented and Functional Programming approaches to solutioning.
Personal Mission Statement:I am committed to perpetual growth while steadfastly advocating diversity and inclusion. I value the support of my friends and family in keeping me grounded.
Goals:- Cultivate mindfulness and actively identify and eliminate detrimental habits.- Explore avenues to become a more effective leader.My passions include travel, motorcycles, teaching, mentoring, and writing. In recent years, my wife and I have been traveling the US full-time in a 42' toy-hauler with my Harley and our 2-dogs. Along the way I've been working on a book focused on a practical and pragmatic approach to DevSecOps set to release in late 2024.

Host or Publisher Anna Kepshire, KEP Training