Introducing DevOps Infrastructure: A New Foundation for Tomorrow’s Technology

DevOps Infrastructure

DevOps has proven to be a revolutionary strategy for software development. By combining the power of development and IT teams, businesses across the globe have smashed through the limitations of the past and sped toward the technology of tomorrow. As many as 47% of organizations worldwide have transitioned to DevOps, per Statista’s 2022 survey¹. 

To better understand the profound impact of DevOps on software development, you must first understand DevOps infrastructure. DevOps infrastructure is the foundation on which DevOps is built. It includes the tools, methods, and resources that help bring the ideals of DevOps into reality. 

This article presents a deep dive into DevOps infrastructure. Starting with exploring what comprises DevOps infrastructure, you will learn the impact this new technological foundation has had on development and IT operations. 

The Building Blocks of DevOps Infrastructure

building blocks and their descriptions for devops infrastructure

Let’s jump right into what makes DevOps infrastructure so iconic and distinct from traditional development frameworks:

CI/CD Pipelines

CI and CD stand for Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment. A CI/CD pipeline is a linear automated process in which all changes to the software code are updated, maintained, and deployed to testing and production environments in real time. 

The CI part of the process ensures that all code changes are integrated into a shared repository like Git and scanned for errors and conflicts. Meanwhile, CD uses automated deployment tools like Jenkins to test and deploy code to staging and production environments. 

As you know, DevOps emphasizes the need for collaboration and communication between developers and IT technicians. To help facilitate this interaction, CI/CD pipelines act as intermediaries, making it easier for everyone to know exactly how development is progressing. 

Automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

DevOps infrastructure is centered around introducing automation into the traditional development cycle for added efficiency. These automated processes include major responsibilities like infrastructure provisioning, testing, and safe deployment. 

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a critical aspect of the shift towards automation. A 2022 research study by Walden University revealed that IaC provisioning achieved full environment deployment in 60 seconds. Meanwhile, standard manual methods took 600 seconds for the same task². In short, IaC accomplished the task in 10% of the average manual processing time.

IaC technology allows IT technicians to provision and manage servers, networks, databases, and other infrastructure components through code. It saves them from spending hours and days creating diverse environments and maintaining consistent configurations. All environment configuration details are stored as config files by programs like Ansible and then deployed via tools like Terraform. 

Oversight and Observability Mechanisms

A discussion on DevOps infrastructure would be incomplete without mentioning the mechanisms used to oversee operations. These tools collect and present key data on operation efficiency, performance, and system health. 

Unlike traditional infrastructure, where monitoring and logging are leveraged as a reactive technology, DevOps infrastructure favors a preventative approach. They report any detected errors and conflicts in the development cycle, prompting swift remediation and minimizing consumer impact. Log files are vital to tracing an issue’s origin and fixing the root problem.

As for this precious data we have been discussing, it can be broken down into three core categories that together allow us to understand better the foundation on which we are building:

  • Metrics: Quantitative data points like memory usage, disk space, etc.
  • Logs: Detailed event data that shows system activity.
  • Traces: Tracks the flow of requests through a system to help debug performance issues.

Virtual Machines and Container Orchestration

Traditional infrastructure management has always been a hurdle for IT departments. It entails spending hours and days procuring expensive, cumbersome hardware and manually setting it up. 

Not to mention the incredibly time-consuming manual configuration process required to make the hardware usable.In the modern era, DevOps infrastructure has overcome these difficulties, and presents a new path forward. 

Virtual Machines (VM) and containers lie at the heart of DevOps infrastructure. These technologies enable us to procure and leverage resources without excessive manual effort. 

VMs typically operate on cloud or dedicated servers, allowing businesses to access remote computing resources in a secure, private environment. Combined with IaC tools, these resources can be flexibly leveraged to maximize infrastructural capabilities. 

Containers, meanwhile, are packages that contain applications alongside all their dependencies. They can be transported and deployed in various environments seamlessly. 

DevOps infrastructure utilizes VMs and containers heavily to create an environment where computing resources are easily accessible, and code can be transported and deployed without extra steps.

The Role of DevOps Infrastructure in Emerging Technologies

image for the role of devops infrastructure in emerging technologies

DevOps is central to the development and progress of emerging technologies. We are no longer in an era where traditional infrastructure can shoulder the burdens of innovation. 

In the years to come, the cost of innovation will only grow as we test our technological limits. Placing our hopes and efforts in DevOps infrastructure is one of the key ways forward toward new horizons and reaching new technological heights like: 

Accelerating AI, ML, and Big Data Adoption

DevOps infrastructure helps streamline the development and deployment of AI and machine learning applications. Data scientists and developers can focus on building and refining models by automating processes and enabling continuous integration. They need not waste their time dealing with infrastructure bottlenecks.

Enhancing Security and Compliance

DevOps infrastructure supports rapid deployments without compromising security. It makes a huge difference in industries like healthcare and finance, where security and compliance are paramount. Tools like DevSecOps automate security checks throughout development. They ensure that vulnerabilities are caught early and compliance requirements are met.

Contributing to IoT and Edge Computing

IoT devices generate massive amounts of data. They require infrastructure to handle distributed environments efficiently. With its ability to scale multiple environments, DevOps infrastructure is ideal for managing IoT deployments and edge computing. The infrastructure can support modern IoT devices’ real-time data processing and transmission needs. 

3 Main Challenges in Implementing DevOps Infrastructure

challenges in implementing devops infrastructure

Although incredibly fruitful, many roadblocks remain barring businesses from achieving total DevOps infrastructure adoption. Among these, we have singled out the three major challenges you should be aware of when transitioning to a DevOps infrastructure:

DevOps Talent Shortages

According to survey data from Gartner, 64% of IT experts believe talent shortage to be the biggest obstacle in adopting emerging technologies. 75% emphasize that the shortage is a major risk factor that deters businesses from leveraging IT automation and other DevOps infrastructure components³. 

As quickly as DevOps has taken the world by storm, there are simply too many roles to fill and insufficient skilled professionals. The expansion of the talent pool after the normalization of remote work has eased some of the strain. However, many businesses cannot embrace change due to a lack of talented support. 

If you intend to implement a DevOps strategy and infrastructure in your organization, training and upskilling towards DevOps is the best way to reduce the risk of failure from a talent shortage. Mastering complex solutions like Kubernetes and Terraform takes immense effort and time, so be prepared for a slow but steady transition. 

Resistance to Cultural Change

DevOps is known as a disruptive technology for good reason. It is an excellent source of technological innovation and has sparked a cultural revolution in the tech sector. This cultural shift, however, is also a major roadblock to implementing a DevOps infrastructure. 

Organizations have gotten comfortable working in silos with limited communication. Developers often work independently without including the operations team in their day-to-day activities. Introducing the DevOps culture, which emphasizes cooperation and collaboration, is nothing short of an alien concept for veterans in space. 

Organizations cannot simply implement DevOps infrastructure. They must first prepare and establish a DevOps mindset in the team. Without the proper mindset and cultural expectations, there are high chances of failure, which can also negatively affect the team dynamics. 

Legacy Systems and Infrastructure

Despite the rampant modernization, you would be surprised to learn that 66% of organizations still rely on legacy systems and applications for core operations⁴. In many cases, these legacy systems are deeply ingrained in the workplace. Letting them go for modern DevOps infrastructure becomes impossible for various reasons. 

Normally, the solution would be to migrate these systems to the cloud and modify them for DevOps compatibility. Unfortunately, such processes would create other issues, such as downtime and security concerns. 

This leaves organizations stuck between a rock and a hard place. They can invest immense funding to migrate their systems to DevOps infrastructure. Or they can keep things as they are and miss out on the opportunities DevOps brings. 

The only true way to address this challenge is by taking the risk and migrating to DevOps. The process can be done slowly and incrementally, leveraging containers and microservices to modernize. A hybrid approach may also prove fruitful, with traditional practices supporting legacy systems while new projects can rely on DevOps infrastructure.  

Best Practices for Building a Future-Proof DevOps Infrastructure

Best Practices for Building a Future-Proof DevOps Infrastructure

Building a future-proof DevOps infrastructure is no small feat. Many things can go wrong and far too many variables are at play, making success that much harder to reach. Nevertheless, there are some steps you can take to elevate your chances of a successful implementation. 

Let’s uncover some ways you can fortify your plans and build a DevOps infrastructure:

Start Automating Where Possible

Even if you do not have the proper infrastructure and computing resources, you can still introduce automation into the development cycle. Automation lies at the heart of DevOps methodology. 

The strategy is entirely built around eliminating mundanity and creating a focused space for hyper-productive development. As such, introducing the technology is a great way to partially adopt DevOps for boosted efficiency and prime your team for the eventual switch. 

Invest in Training and Collaboration Tools

Speaking of priming the team, don’t forget that collaboration is the other main pillar of DevOps. While transitioning, you must give the team the time and resources to learn and upskill themselves for DevOps workflows. 

Yet you need to take that first step, or nothing will get done. The process will also speed up as you recruit more professionals and experts in DevOps. By combining the power of old and new talent and giving them the tools to prosper, your chances are a seamless transition to DevOps will skyrocket. Collaborative tools like Slack, Git, and Jira are strong choices for beginners. 

Focus on Security from the Start (Shift Left with DevSecOps)

In the traditional software development lifecycle, security is often an afterthought. It is only addressed at the final stages of development or even post-deployment. However, this approach can lead to significant vulnerabilities in a fast-paced DevOps environment. 

The solution is shifting security left, a practice called DevSecOps. In DevSecOps, security is integrated from the beginning of development. This ensures that potential vulnerabilities are dealt with during development rather than after deployment.

This proactive approach reduces the chances of costly security breaches. It also decreases the need for extensive post-deployment fixes and fosters a culture of security awareness among developers. 

Conclusion

As we head into 2025, more and more organizations have begun or completed the shift to a DevOps infrastructure. The common sentiment in the IT and development sphere is that DevOps is the way forward for long-term sustainability amid rising competition⁵. 

Here at RedSwitches, we understand the vital importance of DevOps and the challenges stopping businesses from unleashing their true potential. While we cannot solve every problem, RedSwitches’ dedicated server hosting services can be your companion on the long road toward DevOps excellence. 

Whether you’re a start-up looking to prove yourself or an established business looking to reach the next level, RS has your back. 

FAQs

Q. What is DevOps infrastructure?

DevOps infrastructure refers to the tools, methods, and resources that enable DevOps practices. These include automation, collaboration, and continuous integration to enhance software development and IT operations.

Q. How does CI/CD contribute to DevOps infrastructure?

CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipelines automate code testing, integration, and deployment. This streamlines development and allows for more frequent updates with fewer errors.

Q. What role does automation play in DevOps infrastructure?

Automation in DevOps infrastructure eliminates manual tasks like infrastructure provisioning and testing. It leads to more efficient workflows and faster development cycles.

Q. What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and why is it important?

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) allows teams to manage infrastructure through code rather than manually. This ensures consistency across environments. It also significantly reduces provisioning time.

Q. How do Virtual Machines (VMs) and containers benefit DevOps?

VMs and containers provide flexible and scalable computing resources. Containers help ensure that applications run consistently across different environments. This enhances portability.

Q. What are the primary challenges in adopting DevOps infrastructure?

The key challenges include talent shortages and resistance to cultural change. Legacy systems can also be difficult to integrate with modern DevOps practices.

Q. How does DevOps infrastructure enhance security and compliance?

DevOps infrastructure integrates security early in the development process through DevSecOps. This automates security checks and ensures vulnerabilities are addressed before deployment, especially in industries like healthcare and finance.

Q. How does DevOps infrastructure support emerging technologies?

DevOps infrastructure accelerates the adoption of AI, machine learning, big data, IoT, and edge computing. It does this by automating development processes and managing distributed environments.

Q. What is DevSecOps, and how does it differ from traditional security approaches?

DevSecOps shifts security left by integrating it early in the development lifecycle. Unlike traditional models that address security after deployment, it ensures that potential vulnerabilities are identified and resolved during development.

Q. Why is collaboration essential in DevOps infrastructure?

Collaboration is central to DevOps. It bridges the gap between development and operations teams. Tools like Slack and Jira enhance communication. This allows teams to work together seamlessly and efficiently.

References

1: Statista, Software Development Methodologies Practiced Worldwide, 2022

2: Walden University, Infrastructure as Code Strategies and Benefits in Cloud Computing, 2022

3: Gartner, 2021

4: Tata Consultancy Services, 2021

5: Harvard Business Review, Competitive Advantage Through DevOps, 2019

Waleed

As an avid tech enthusiast, I first got into tech while experimenting with my dad's computer in my teens. That was 15 years ago. Today, I find myself a seasoned veteran of the tech industry, having worked with both FinTech and Hosting companies and helping them connect with their audience. Cheers to 15 years well spent, and looking forward to covering all things tech still to come.

Related articles

Latest articles