Deploying Terraform Resources with Different Access Levels

Learn how to effectively manage and deploy Terraform resources with varying access levels using simple steps and strategies.
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Deploying Terraform Resources with Different Access Levels: A Comprehensive Guide

Terraform is an incredible tool for managing infrastructure as code. It allows you to define and provision your cloud infrastructure using a declarative configuration language. However, when dealing with environments that require different access levels for resources, it can get a bit tricky. In this post, we will explore how to deploy Terraform resources with varying access levels, ensuring you maintain security while fulfilling your infrastructure needs.

Understanding the Problem

When managing multiple resources in a cloud environment, such as Snowflake or AWS, you may encounter situations where certain resources require higher privileges for creation, while others can be managed with lower permissions. For example, you might need:

ABC resources that require account administrator privileges

XYZ resources that need lower-level privileges

This divide can make it challenging to maintain a coherent infrastructure management strategy, especially when all your resources are under the same repository. So, how can you separate this access effectively while using Terraform?

The Solution: Using Multiple Providers

Terraform allows the creation of multiple providers to handle different permissions and access levels using a straightforward method. Below, we will break down the steps needed to set up and utilize this approach.

Step 1: Instantiate Multiple Providers

To manage resources with varying access levels, you can instantiate one provider per login used. Here's how to structure your Terraform provider configurations:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In the example above:

The first provider is set up with limited access.

Step 2: Define Resources Based on Access Levels

Once you have defined your providers, you can now specify which resources should use each provider based on required access levels. Here’s how you can do it:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this structure:

The first resource (limited_access_bucket) is created with general access using the default provider.

Step 3: Alternative Patterns for Resource Management

While using multiple providers is commonly used for cross-account access, there are alternative methods you might consider based on your preferences and security policies. A popular approach is to run Terraform at a high access level to create and configure the resources. After that, you can utilize lower access levels for routine maintenance and updates.

Here are some suggestions on how to use this pattern effectively:

Create resources with high-level permissions once.

Employ lower-level scripts or tools for regular updates and changes to these resources.

Conclusion

Deploying Terraform resources with different access levels is not only possible but also vital for maintaining a secure cloud environment. By following the outlined steps to create multiple providers, you can effectively manage privileges while ensuring resource integrity. This approach allows you to blend flexibility with robust security protocols in your infrastructure management.

With the right configurations and strategies, you can navigate the complexities of differing access levels in Terraform seamlessly. Happy coding!