Terraform is an infrastructure-as-code tool for declaratively creating and managing infrastructure across cloud platforms; Ansible is a configuration management tool for automated configuration after the server runs. 1.Terraform defines the expected infrastructure state in a declarative manner, which is suitable for building an environment from scratch or large-scale changes; 2.Ansible performs tasks through YAML scripts, which is suitable for deploying applications, installing software and maintaining system state; 3.Terraform maintains state file tracking resources, while Ansible checks and implements configurations every time it runs; 4. The two are often used in combination: Terraform builds the infrastructure first, and Ansible then configures it.
Terraform and Ansible are both popular tools in the DevOps space, but they serve different purposes and operate in distinct ways. Understanding their core functions and differences can help you choose the right tool for your infrastructure needs.
What Terraform Is and When to Use It
Terraform is an infrastructure as code (IaC) tool developed by HashiCorp. Its main job is to provision infrastructure—like servers, networks, and storage—in a predictable and repeatable way. You define what you want your infrastructure to look like using configuration files, and Terraform takes care of creating and managing it across various cloud providers.
It works with a declarative approach: you describe the desired end state, and Terraform figures out how to get there. This makes it ideal for setting up environments from scratch or making large-scale changes consistently.
Common use cases include:
- Creating cloud resources on AWS, GCP, or Azure
- Managing multi-cloud setups
- Version-controlling your infrastructure setup
One thing to note is that Terraform doesn't run commands on remote servers directly—it focuss more on provisioning rather than configuring.
What Ansible Is and Where It Excels
Ansible, also from HashiCorp, is a configuration management and automation tool. Unlike Terraform, which focuses on building infrastructure, Ansible is all about configuring and managing systems once they're already running. Think of it as the tool that steps in after Terraform has done its job.
Ansible uses playbooks written in YAML to define tasks such as installing software, deploying apps, or adjusting system settings. It operates over SSH and doesn't require agents on target machines, which keeps things simple and secure.
Typical scenarios where Ansible shines:
- Automating repetitive system administration tasks
- Deploying applications across multiple servers
- Ensuring systems stay in a defined state over time
It's agentless nature and push-based execution model makes it easy to integrate into existing environments without much overhead.
Key Differences Between Terraform and Ansible
Even though both tools are used in automation, they're not interchangeable. Here's a breakdown of the main differences:
- Purpose : Terraform provisions infrastructure; Ansible configures systems.
- Execution Model : Terraform is declarative and plan-driven, while Ansible is procedural and task-driven.
- State Management : Terraform maintains a state file to track real-world resources, helping it apply changes safely. Ansible does not maintain state by default—it checks and enforces desired configurations each time it runs.
- Use Case Fit : If you need to create cloud resources, Terraform is better. For configuration and application deployment, Ansible tends to be more appropriate.
In many workflows, these tools actually complement each other—Terraform sets up the environment, and Ansible configures it.
Can They Work Together?
Yes, and quite effectively. A common pattern is to use Terraform first to build the infrastructure, then pass the resulting IP addresses or hostnames to Ansible for configuration. This gives you the best of both worlds: reliable provisioning and consistent configuration.
For example:
- Terraform creates a set of EC2 instances
- Outputs instance IPs to a file or variable
- Ansible reads those IPs and applications configuration playbooks
This integration is straightforward and well-supported through shared variables, dynamic inventory, and modules.
So if your project involves both setting up infrastructure and configuring it afterward, combining Terraform and Ansible is a solid strategy.
Basically that's it.
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