Terraform Basics - Managing Infrastructure as Code

Terraform Basics - Managing Infrastructure as Code

This course is part of Terraform Masterclass: From Beginner to Advanced Specialization

Instructor: Packt - Course Instructors

Access provided by Kasetsart University

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Master the fundamentals of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform.
Set up and configure AWS and Terraform for infrastructure automation.
Write and manage Terraform configurations using HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL).
Understand and apply Terraform’s core components like state management and providers.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Terraform Masterclass: From Beginner to Advanced Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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There are 7 modules in this course

Updated in May 2025.

This course now features Coursera Coach — your interactive learning companion that helps you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress. Build a strong foundation in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with this hands-on introduction to managing cloud environments using Terraform. Designed for beginners, this course guides you step by step through automating infrastructure provisioning, writing configurations in HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL), and deploying real resources on AWS. You’ll begin by setting up your environment, configuring AWS with multi-factor authentication, installing Terraform, and preparing Visual Studio Code for an efficient workflow. Once your tools are ready, you’ll explore Terraform’s core concepts, including providers, resources, variables, and state management — the building blocks of reliable and repeatable cloud automation. As you progress, you’ll apply your skills to practical AWS projects, creating EC2 instances, provisioning S3 buckets, and managing configurations through the Terraform CLI. Each module blends explanation with hands-on tasks so you gain not just theoretical understanding, but real experience building cloud infrastructure the professional way. By the end of this course, you will have: - Automated cloud provisioning using Terraform and AWS. - Written clean, reusable configurations using HCL. - Managed Terraform state effectively for safe, collaborative workflows. - Gained practical experience using AWS CLI and Terraform CLI. - Developed the confidence to support IaC projects in real environments. This course is ideal for beginners who want to learn cloud automation. No Terraform experience is required, but basic cloud knowledge is helpful. Whether you’re pursuing a DevOps path or strengthening your cloud fundamentals, this course gives you the skills to get started with Infrastructure as Code.

In this module, we will introduce the course's structure and objectives, ensuring a clear understanding of what to expect. We will guide you through how to navigate the course materials, enabling you to make the most out of the learning experience. This section sets the foundation for your journey into mastering Terraform.

What's included

2 videos2 readings

In this module, we will walk through the essential steps to prepare your environment for Terraform development. This includes setting up your AWS account, enabling multi-factor authentication, and installing Terraform and the AWS CLI. We will also configure your IDE, specifically Visual Studio Code, and show how to set up WSL for Windows users to optimize your Terraform workflow.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment1 plugin

9 videosTotal 31 minutes

AWS Account Setup - How to Create an Account4 minutes
AWS Account Setup - Enabling MFA for the Root User1 minute
AWS Account Setup - Creating an Admin User6 minutes
For Windows Users - Installing Windows Subsystem for Linux3 minutes
For Windows Users - Key Features of Windows Subsystem for Linux6 minutes
Terraform Installation - Getting Terraform Set Up2 minutes
Terraform Installation - Installing AWS CLI1 minute
Terraform Installation - Logging Into AWS3 minutes
IDE Setup - Helpful VS Code Extensions1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

Setting Up Your Environment and Tools - Assessment15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Creating and Securing an AWS Account15 minutes

In this module, we will dive into the principles of Infrastructure as Code and its relevance in the modern IT landscape. We will demonstrate how Terraform simplifies infrastructure management, helping you automate processes. You will also explore the core components of Terraform, including providers and state, and practice deploying infrastructure using both manual and automated methods.

What's included

11 videos1 assignment1 plugin

11 videosTotal 55 minutes

Defining Infrastructure as Code (IaC)5 minutes
Advantages of Using Infrastructure as Code8 minutes
Hands-On: Setting Up Infrastructure Manually in AWS - Overview0 minutes
Hands-On: Setting Up Infrastructure Manually in AWS8 minutes
Hands-On: Setting Up Infrastructure with Terraform - Overview0 minutes
Hands-On: Setting Up Infrastructure with Terraform8 minutes
Why Choose Terraform?3 minutes
The Structure of Terraform6 minutes
Phases of Infrastructure Provisioning4 minutes
Hands-On: Understanding Terraform's Phases - Overview0 minutes
Hands-On: Understanding Terraform's Phases9 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

Understanding Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and Terraform - Assessment15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Introduction to Infrastructure as Code with Terraform15 minutes

In this module, we will explore the core components of Terraform, focusing on HCL syntax and organization of configuration files. You will learn how to use essential Terraform CLI commands and gain hands-on experience with remote backends and providers. This section will help you build a strong foundation for working with Terraform’s powerful infrastructure-as-code capabilities.

What's included

17 videos1 assignment1 plugin

17 videosTotal 81 minutes

Hands-On: Overview of the HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL)0 minutes
Understanding HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL)10 minutes
Configuring Terraform4 minutes
Hands-On: Introduction to Our First Terraform Project - Overview0 minutes
Hands-On: Creating Resources in Our First Terraform Project5 minutes
Hands-On: Overview of the Terraform CLI0 minutes
Hands-On: Exploring Key Commands in the Terraform CLI11 minutes
Understanding Terraform State4 minutes
[Demo] Reviewing the State of Our Project6 minutes
Working with Backends in Terraform4 minutes
Hands-On: Setting Up a Remote Backend in S3 - Overview0 minutes
Hands-On: Configuring a Remote S3 Backend9 minutes
Hands-On: Partial Backend Setup - Overview0 minutes
Hands-On: Partial Backend Setup8 minutes
Terraform Providers Explained2 minutes
Hands-On: Overview of Working with Providers0 minutes
Hands-On: Hands-on with Providers9 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

Terraform's Core Components - Assessment15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Understanding HCL and Terraform Backends15 minutes

In this module, we will focus on working with resources in Terraform. You’ll learn how to define and configure essential infrastructure components such as VPCs and EC2 instances. This section also covers how to manage dependencies, use meta-arguments, and secure your infrastructure with security groups. Through hands-on exercises, you’ll apply these concepts to real-world scenarios.

What's included

12 videos1 assignment1 plugin

12 videosTotal 85 minutes

Understanding Resources3 minutes
Exploring Resource Dependencies3 minutes
Using Meta-Arguments5 minutes
VPC and EC2 Project - Overview1 minute
VPC and EC2 Project - Setting Up the VPC and Subnet11 minutes
VPC and EC2 Project - Setting Up the Internet Gateway8 minutes
VPC and EC2 Project - Managing Common Tags7 minutes
VPC and EC2 Project - Setting Up the EC2 Instance12 minutes
VPC and EC2 Project - Understanding and Using Security Groups5 minutes
VPC and EC2 Project - Creating a Custom Security Group8 minutes
VPC and EC2 Project - Deploying an EC2 Instance with NGINX10 minutes
VPC and EC2 Project - Wrapping Up and Cleaning Up Resources6 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

Working with Resources - Assessment15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Working with Terraform Resources15 minutes

In this module, we will guide you through the process of deploying a static website using AWS S3 and Terraform. You will set up an S3 bucket, configure it for public access, and enable static website hosting. The project will culminate in automating the file upload process using Terraform, demonstrating the power of IaC in web deployment.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment1 plugin

5 videosTotal 28 minutes

Overview of the Project0 minutes
Setting Up an S3 Bucket4 minutes
Turning Off Public Access Block10 minutes
Setting Up an S3 Static Website5 minutes
Uploading Files to S3 with Terraform6 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

Project - Deploying an S3 Static Website - Assessment15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Deploying a Static Website with AWS S3 and Terraform15 minutes

In this module, we will explore how to use data sources in Terraform to dynamically retrieve information about your infrastructure. You will learn to fetch AMI data, VPC details, and account-specific settings, making your configurations more flexible and adaptable. This section also covers using IAM policies to securely manage permissions.