Creating Azure Container Registry using Terraform

Azure Container Registry (ACR) is a managed Docker container registry provided by Microsoft Azure, enabling you to store and manage Docker images and container artifacts. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of creating an Azure Container Registry using Terraform, allowing you to automate the infrastructure deployment process and simplify container management on Azure.

What is Azure Container Registry?

Azure Container Registry (ACR) is a private container registry that allows you to store and manage your Docker container images. It provides a secure and scalable solution for storing images, enabling seamless integration with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure App Service, and other Azure services that support containerized applications.

Why Use Terraform to Create Azure Container Registry?

Terraform is an open-source Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool that allows you to define and manage your infrastructure using configuration files. Using Terraform for provisioning resources such as Azure Container Registry offers several benefits:

• Consistency: Terraform enables you to define infrastructure in code, ensuring that your infrastructure is consistent and repeatable across different environments.
• Automation: With Terraform, you can automate the creation and management of Azure resources, reducing the time spent on manual configuration and deployment.
• Version Control: You can manage your infrastructure configurations in source control (e.g., Git), making it easy to track changes and collaborate with your team.
• Scalability: Terraform makes it easier to scale your infrastructure by allowing you to modify and reapply configurations to meet changing needs.

Prerequisites

Before you begin creating your Azure Container Registry using Terraform, ensure that you have the following prerequisites in place:

• An Azure account (create one at Azure if you don't already have one).
• Terraform installed on your local machine (download Terraform from Terraform).
• An active Azure subscription for deploying resources.
• Azure CLI installed to authenticate and manage Azure resources.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create Azure Container Registry Using Terraform

Follow the steps below to create an Azure Container Registry (ACR) using Terraform.

Step 1: Install Terraform and Configure Azure CLI

If you haven’t already, install Terraform by following the instructions on the official website. Then, authenticate with Azure CLI:

1. Open your terminal and run the following command to log in to Azure using CLI:

📄
az login

2. This will open a browser window asking you to log in to your Azure account. Once logged in, return to the terminal.
3. Verify that you're logged in by running:

📄
az account show

Step 2: Create a Terraform Configuration File

Next, you’ll need to create a configuration file to define your Azure resources. This file will be used by Terraform to create the Azure Container Registry.

• In your terminal, create a new directory for your project:

📄
mkdir azure-acr

📄
cd azure-acr

📄
touch main.tf

📄
# Configure the Azure provider
provider "azurerm" {
  features {}
}

# Define the Azure Container Registry resource
resource "azurerm_container_registry" "example" {
  name                     = "myacrexample" # Unique name for your ACR
  location                 = "East US"
  resource_group_name      = "myResourceGroup" # Define your resource group
  sku                       = "Basic" # Choose your SKU (Basic, Standard, Premium)
  admin_enabled             = true # Enable Admin user for ACR access
}

output "acr_name" {
  value = azurerm_container_registry.example.name
}

In this configuration file:

• azurerm_container_registry: This resource defines the ACR resource you’ll be creating.
• name: The unique name for your ACR instance. Ensure this name is globally unique.
• sku: Defines the SKU for your ACR (e.g., Basic, Standard, Premium).
• admin_enabled: Set this to true to enable the admin user for accessing the registry.

Step 3: Initialize Terraform

To initialize Terraform, run the following command in your project directory:

📄
terraform init

This will initialize Terraform and download the necessary plugins for working with Azure resources.

Step 4: Plan the Deployment

Before applying your configuration, it’s important to see the changes that Terraform will make to your infrastructure. Run the following command:

📄
terraform plan

This will generate an execution plan that shows which resources Terraform will create or modify. Review the plan to ensure it meets your expectations.

Step 5: Apply the Configuration

To create the Azure Container Registry, apply the Terraform configuration by running:

📄
terraform apply

You’ll be prompted to confirm the changes. Type yes to proceed with the creation of the Azure Container Registry.

Step 6: Verify the Deployment

Once the deployment is complete, Terraform will output the name of the newly created ACR instance. You can also verify the creation of the Azure Container Registry from the Azure Portal:

• Navigate to the Azure Portal.
• Search for Container Registries and verify your registry is listed.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between the Basic, Standard, and Premium SKUs in Azure Container Registry?

Azure Container Registry offers three SKUs with different features:

• Basic: Entry-level SKU with the smallest storage and throughput capacity.
• Standard: Provides more storage and throughput, suitable for production environments.
• Premium: Offers enhanced capabilities like geo-replication for high availability and increased storage capacity.

2. Can I use Azure Container Registry with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)?

Yes, Azure Container Registry integrates seamlessly with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). Once your containers are stored in ACR, they can be pulled directly into your AKS clusters for deployment.

3. How can I authenticate to Azure Container Registry?

You can authenticate to your Azure Container Registry using different methods, such as using Azure CLI, Docker CLI, or service principals for automated deployments.

Conclusion

In this guide, we've covered how to create an Azure Container Registry using Terraform. By leveraging Terraform’s infrastructure-as-code capabilities, you can automate and streamline the process of creating and managing your container registry. This approach not only saves time but also ensures consistency and scalability for your applications deployed on Azure.