How to Install Infrastructure Automation Software Terraform on Ubuntu 18.04 / CentOS 7

Senior Web Developer, HostAdvice CTO 2 min read

May 30, 2024 3:59 PM

Terraform is one of the best infrastructure as code tools on the market. It allows you to create, change and enhance structure securely on the most popular service providers.

You can use it to manage Cloud Compute, Networking, Load Balancers and DNS efficiently using simple Declarative Programming Language. It is available on Github. In this article, you will find step by step guide for installing Terraform on Ubuntu 18.04 and CentOS 7.

Installing Terraform on Ubuntu 18.04 / CentOS 7

First, ensure that wget is installed on your PC by using the following command in the Terminal:

$ sudo apt-get install wget # Ubuntu
$ sudo yum install wget # CentOS

Now, get Terraform archive.

export VER="0.11.8"
wget https://releases.hashicorp.com/terraform/${VER}/terraform_${VER}_linux_amd64.zip

After downloading, extract the archive by typing the following command:

$ sudo apt-get install unzip # Ubuntu
$ sudo yum install unzip     # CentOS 7
$ unzip terraform_${VER}_linux_amd64.zip
Archive:  terraform_0.11.8_linux_amd64.zip
  inflating: terraform

A terraform binary file has been created in the working directory. Now, you have to move the file to the directory /usr/local/bin. Type the following line:

sudo mv terraform /usr/local/bin/

Now, all the users in your PC can get access to Terraform. Type these lines to verify the accessibility:

$which terraform
/usr/local/bin/terraform

Check the version number of Terraform.

$ terraform -v
Terraform v0.11.8

Now, verify the functionality of Terraform.

# terraform
Usage: terraform [-version] [-help] <command> [args]
The available commands for execution are listed below.
The most common, useful commands are shown first, followed by
less common or more advanced commands. If you're just getting
started with Terraform, stick with the common commands. For the
other commands, please read the help and docs before usage.
Common commands:
    apply              Builds or changes infrastructure
    console            Interactive console for Terraform interpolations
    destroy            Destroy Terraform-managed infrastructure
    env                Workspace management
    fmt                Rewrites config files to canonical format
    get                Download and install modules for the configuration
    graph              Create a visual graph of Terraform resources
    import             Import existing infrastructure into Terraform
    init               Initialize a Terraform working directory
    output             Readan output from a state file
    plan               Generate and show an execution plan
    providers          Prints a tree of the providers used in the configuration                                                                      
    push               Upload this Terraform module to Atlas to run
    refresh            Updatelocal state file against real resources
    show               Inspect Terraform state or plan
    taint              Manually mark a resource for recreation
    untaint            Manually unmark a resource as tainted
    validate           Validates the Terraform files
    version            Prints the Terraform version
    workspace          Workspace management
All other commands:
    debug              Debug output management (experimental)
    force-unlock       Manually unlock the terraform state
    state              Advanced state management

Conclusion

If everything works correctly, Terraform has been successfully installed in your PC. Now, you have the power to build, change and combine infrastructure efficiently and safely.