Building a DevOps-Engineered Website

A Step-by-Step Technical Guide (Part 1)

Posted on November 01 2023 by Paul Bourhis
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Table of content

  1. Introduction
  2. Part 1: Crafting My Digital Presence - The 'What' and 'Why'
    1. Motivations
    2. Essential features
  3. Part 2: The Constraints and Tools
    1. Constraints
    2. Selected Technologies
  4. Next up:

Introduction

I wanted to build a website for several reasons, but the main ones are as i just started my carrer as a devops engineer i need a professional website and a vitrine to showcase my work. There will be more articles to come. in this article you will learn about Why I Built This Website, The Plan and Constraints, The Prerequisites. I am a devops engineer so this series of article will be centered more on devops than html development. Skills i already have: python, azure containerization, Devops, but i know nothing about building up a website. Skills I will probably have to learn: SEO, HTML, JS, Copyrighting. Sounds exciting write ?

Part 1: Crafting My Digital Presence - The 'What' and 'Why'

In the digital fabric of today's industry, my ambition is to weave a professional online presence that not only underscores my capabilities but also amplifies my voice as a freelancer in the DevOps arena.

I am motivated by three reasons:

  • Freelancing Foothold: To lay down the digital foundations for my freelancing ventures, providing a polished professional portal for client interaction.
  • Skills Showcase: To use this platform as a canvas for my Azure skills and continuous learning, presenting to potential clients not just a portfolio, but a growth narrative in technology.
  • Web Development Odyssey: To embark on the exhilarating path of learning web development, an enriching skill that complements my existing expertise.

Essential features of my website include:

  • A portfolio page detailing my services and past projects, highlighting the practical applications of my DevOps knowledge.
  • A contact form to enable prospective clients and peers to engage with me directly, fostering professional connections.
  • A blog section where I share my insights on DevOps, continuous learning experiences, and industry trends.
  • A subscription-based newsletter to keep my audience informed about my latest blog posts and freelance availability.

This website is set to be a dynamic testament to my growth and a beacon for my professional services in the ever-evolving DevOps landscape.

Part 2: The Constraints and Tools

Constraints

A key part of my planning was recognizing and working within certain limitations:

  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC): I committed to using IaC for all possible aspects of the infrastructure to streamline provisioning and management.
  • Azure-Exclusive Use: I stuck to Azure services to showcase my specialization, which aligns with my expertise and Azure DevOps certifications.
  • Automated Deployment: I implemented CI/CD pipelines to underscore my DevOps skills and ensure smooth, error-free deployments.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Operating within a tight budget, I sought solutions that maximized value without compromising the site's integrity or user experience.

Selected Technologies

I carefully selected technologies that support my objectives:

  • Terraform: An IaC tool that is indispensable for managing infrastructure as code and aligns with best practices.
  • Azure Static Web Apps: For their integrated CI/CD capabilities and simplified deployment process, and for the connectivity to Azure Functions for a flexible backend API.
  • Azure DevOps Suite: This suite provides a complete end-to-end toolchain for software development and deployment, ideal for building and release automation.
  • Bootstrap/HTML/CSS/JS: These technologies provide a balance of ease of use and design flexibility for building a modern, responsive website.
  • SendGrid: A reliable email service that integrates with Azure, essential for newsletter distribution and client communications.

Next up:

In the next article, we'll dive into the Prerequisites for this project, exploring the skills and knowledge that set the foundation for website creation. We'll also navigate through the Setup of Azure DevOps, detailing how this suite becomes the command center for our development and deployment operations. And we won't stop there; we'll also explore the Setup of the Infrastructure, where my choices in technology come to life in the Azure cloud.

Stay tuned as we continue to build not just a website, but a beacon in the digital expanse—a nexus where technology meets practicality and vision meets execution.

Next article: Prerequisites, Setup of Azure DevOps, Setup of the Infrastructure