| copyright | lastupdated | keywords | subcollection | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2022-11-05 |
schematics blueprints, blueprints, blueprints architecture |
schematics |
{{site.data.keyword.attribute-definition-list}}
{{site.data.keyword.bpshort}} Blueprints is a Beta feature that is available for evaluation and testing purposes. It is not intended for production usage. Refer to the list of limitations for the Beta release. {: beta}
{: #blueprint-intro}
{{site.data.keyword.bpshort}} Blueprints supports the creation and lifecycle management of large-scale cloud environments from reusable automation building blocks. {: shortdesc}
{: #blueprint-overview}
{{site.data.keyword.bplong}} Blueprints is an Infrastructure as Code (IaC) automation solution for large-scale cloud environments. It utilizes the analogy of building a house from a blueprint drawing. Where a blueprint defines the architecture, layout and the major building blocks. A craftsman builds the house from well defined components using the blueprint for guidance.
In a similar fashion, {{site.data.keyword.bpshort}} Blueprints enables users to define and deploy cloud environments from reusable and well defined building blocks of Terraform automation code. Reusable modules implement the layers and components of an infrastructure architecture from well designed, tested and compliant Terraform code. Templates determine the architecture, specifying the modules required for the implementation and infrastructure topology.
Reuse is at the heart of {{site.data.keyword.bpshort}} Blueprints. Publicly available modules designed for IBM Cloud can be combined with third-party and user developed modules to create customized solutions. Templates are reusable across environments with separately maintained configurations, supporting dev, stage and prod pipelines and reuse across organizations. {: shortdesc}
{: caption="Large-scale environments using Terraform and blueprints" caption-side="bottom"}
{{site.data.keyword.bpshort}} Blueprints complements Terraform's IaC automation capabilities with:
- Composition: Build infrastructure architectures from an eco-system of reusable and maintained IBM Cloud architecture components written in Terraform
- Reusability: Reuse templates (architectures) across environments, pipelines and teams
- Scalability: Structure and manage large environments by linking modules and Terraform workspaces
- Lifecycle: Cradle-to-grave operations model. Future: scheduled ops, drift detection, cost estimation, policy compliance
- Extensibility (future): Provisioning and configuration with RedHat Ansible
IAC best practices, support the lifecycle of blueprint environments, cradle-to-grave. Versioning and parameterized configuration, support controlled change to environments as requirements evolve, and templates and modules are maintained and updated to remain current and compliant.
{: caption="{{site.data.keyword.bpshort}} Blueprints overview" caption-side="bottom"}
{: #nextsteps-bp-arch}
So far you learned a little about {{site.data.keyword.bpshort}} Blueprints and its features. Following are the next steps to explore.
- Working with blueprints and environments to understand how to use blueprints to manage the lifecycle of deploying and managing cloud environments.
- See understanding blueprint templates and configuration to dig into how to define cloud environments using versioned blueprint templates and inputs.
- Beta code for {{site.data.keyword.bpshort}} Blueprints to provide your feedback and understand Beta limitations.