DevOps Essentials Series (Part 1): What Pillars Does Your System Need?

When it comes to DevOps strategy, there are a few key components you just can’t overlook. Sure, you can add some fancy features to improve your infrastructure operations, but let’s first focus on the essentials to actually make it operate.

IaC

Infrastructure as code, or IaC, is about writing simple scripts that can automatically set up your entire tech environment.

Why is IaC essential? Well, because manual setup is:

• Error-prone (we're only human!)
• Impossible to track (who changed what?)
• Not repeatable (how do we ever build this again?)

But with IaC, the entire infrastructure lives in code files that you can easily version control, test, and review (just like your application code). If you want ten identical environments, just run that script ten times. Need to bounce back from a disaster? Your infrastructure blueprint is all set to recreate everything just the way it was.

Multiple Environments

Multiple environments create your software’s path through various “test tracks” before it reaches the customers. You need different spaces for development, testing, and production.

This is non-negotiable because:

• Developers need a safe space to experiment so they don’t break live systems
• QA teams require a stable testing ground that mirrors production
• Customers deserve a polished, reliable experience

Each environment should be quite similar in setup, but they should serve distinct purposes.

VPC Networking

Imagine your applications are like a house with all the doors and windows wide open. That's what it feels like without a solid virtual private cloud (VPC) design. With a good VPC setup, you get to decide who comes in and how your traffic flows.

Overall, a solid VPC matters because:

• It creates a barrier between different components of your system.
• It keeps your sensitive data safe from prying eyes.
• It allows you to control communications between services.

Plus, you can segment your network into public and private subnets. Customer-facing components will stay in public zones, while your databases retreat to private areas where only authorized services can reach them.

A Robust Database System

Speaking of a database, when it fails, everything stops — customer orders, user logins, and critical transactions.

Here’s why keeping it stable is a must:

• It holds your most precious asset—your data.
• If data is lost, it can be a total disaster.
• Starting over from scratch is often not an option.
• Downtime negatively impacts your profit.

Opt for managed cloud databases, and we’re here to help you set them up to fit your unique needs. And don't cut corners with backups — implement daily incremental snapshots with at least seven days of retention. This lets you roll back to specific moments when things go wrong.

AMICSS* Infrastructure: All Critical DevOps Components at Just $999

*Auto-scalable, Migration-ready, Cost-efficient, Secure, and Stable

• Designed to keep your costs manageable
• Ready for stable operations
• Built to grow with your business
• Secured from the ground up

Explore our AMICSS package today!