В этой blog post, we will discuss how to quickly deploy a new environment using Terraform and vRA (formerly known as vRealize Automation). We will also cover the pros and cons of using vRA blueprints versus Terraform-defined cloud templates.

Quick Start with vRA Blueprints

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To get started quickly, we can use pre-built vRA blueprints from the vRA catalog. These blueprints define a complete environment, including virtual machines, networks, and other resources. By using these blueprints, we can easily deploy a new environment without having to manually configure each resource.

However, this approach is not very flexible, as we cannot modify the blueprints or change the schema. Additionally, any changes made to the blueprints will not be reflected in the deployed environment, so we would need to update the blueprints separately.

Terraform-defined Cloud Templates

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Terraform allows us to define our own cloud templates and use them to deploy environments. This approach provides more flexibility than using vRA blueprints, as we can modify the template to suit our needs. Additionally, any changes made to the template will be reflected in the deployed environment.

There are two ways to work with cloud templates in Terraform:

1. Use a cloud provider’s API to retrieve the template and deploy it.

2. Use a local file to store the template and deploy it.

Pros and Cons of Each Approach

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Here are some pros and cons of each approach:

### Using vRA Blueprints

Pros:

* Quick and easy to get started

* Provides a complete environment with minimal configuration

Cons:

* Limited flexibility in terms of customization

* Changes to the blueprints will not be reflected in the deployed environment

### Using Terraform-defined Cloud Templates

Pros:

* More flexible and customizable

* Changes to the template will be reflected in the deployed environment

Cons:

* Requires more manual configuration

* May require more technical expertise to set up and manage

Best Practices for Working with vRA Blueprints and Terraform-defined Cloud Templates

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Here are some best practices for working with both approaches:

### Using vRA Blueprints

* Use the vRA catalog to find pre-built blueprints that match your requirements.

* Customize the blueprints as needed to fit your environment.

* Use version control to track changes to the blueprints and manage different versions.

### Using Terraform-defined Cloud Templates

* Define your cloud templates in a version control system, such as Git, to track changes and manage different versions.

* Use descriptive names for your resources and variables to make your code easier to understand and maintain.

* Test your templates thoroughly before deploying them to production.

Conclusion

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In conclusion, both vRA blueprints and Terraform-defined cloud templates have their pros and cons, and the best approach will depend on your specific needs and requirements. However, using Terraform-defined cloud templates provides more flexibility and customization, while using vRA blueprints is quicker and easier to set up. By following best practices and leveraging version control, you can ensure that your environments are well-managed and easy to maintain.