Version Control:
Version Control is a fundamental aspect of Configuration Management that involves tracking and managing changes to files, documents, or source code over time. Version control systems (VCS) like Git, Subversion (SVN), and Mercurial provide mechanisms for storing, retrieving, and comparing different versions of files, ensuring traceability and accountability.
Change Management:
Change Management is the process of controlling and managing changes to configuration items (CIs) in a systematic and controlled manner. It involves assessing the impact of proposed changes, obtaining approval from stakeholders, implementing changes, and documenting changes to ensure that they are executed smoothly and effectively.
Configuration Item (CI):
A Configuration Item (CI) is a component or resource within a system or infrastructure that is managed and tracked as part of Configuration Management. CIs can include hardware components, software modules, documentation, configurations, and other artifacts that contribute to the functioning of the system.
Configuration Baseline:
A Configuration Baseline is a snapshot or reference point in time that represents the approved configuration of a system or software. It serves as a basis for comparison and validation of changes, allowing stakeholders to assess the current state of configuration against the established baseline.
Configuration Management Database (CMDB):
A Configuration Management Database (CMDB) is a centralized database or repository that stores information about configuration items, their relationships, attributes, and dependencies. CMDBs provide a comprehensive view of the configuration landscape, facilitating effective planning, analysis, and decision-making.
Automated Provisioning:
Automated Provisioning involves automating the process of provisioning and configuring infrastructure components, such as servers, networks, and storage, using scripts, templates, or configuration management tools. Automated provisioning helps streamline deployment, reduce manual errors, and enforce consistency across environments.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC):
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is an approach to managing infrastructure configurations using code and automation. IaC tools like Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, and Chef enable developers to define infrastructure configurations as code, allowing for versioning, automation, and repeatability in infrastructure deployment and management.
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD):
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) practices incorporate Configuration Management principles into software development workflows. CI/CD pipelines automate the build, test, and deployment processes, ensuring that changes to software configurations are tested, validated, and deployed rapidly and reliably.
Configuration Audit:
Configuration Audit is the process of systematically reviewing and verifying the configuration of a system or software against established standards, requirements, or best practices. Audits help identify discrepancies, vulnerabilities, and non-compliance issues, enabling corrective actions to be taken to maintain the integrity and security of the configuration.
Compliance Management:
Compliance Management involves ensuring that configurations adhere to regulatory requirements, industry standards, and organizational policies. Configuration Management practices support compliance management by providing mechanisms for documenting, tracking, and enforcing compliance-related configurations and controls.
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