A Framework for Reusable Infrastructure as Code Templates in Cloud-Native Environments

Cloud-native technologies enable the development of scalable, secure, and resilient applications in diverse cloud environments. However, deploying and configuring these technologies can be complex and error-prone. Existing reusable Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions often suffer from inconsistent structures, limited customization, and potential vendor lock-in, hindering their effectiveness and usability. To mitigate this, this paper presents a framework for creating standardized and reusable IaC templates for deploying and configuring cloud-native infrastructure components. We conducted a needs analysis to identify key developer requirements and established ten design principles for creating reusable IaC templates. Additionally, we conducted a multivocal review of relevant literature to summarize best practices for implementing these principles. Leveraging these insights, we developed five IaC templates and evaluated their effectiveness and usability against existing solutions. This proposed framework integrates conceptual guidance with practical implementations of reusable templates to simplify cloud-native infrastructure setup and enhance developer productivity.