Daily Term: Configuration Drift

Configuration Drift

Configuration Drift occurs when the actual state of a system diverges from its intended configuration over time, often due to manual changes or inconsistent automation. For example, if one server in a cluster is manually updated but others aren’t, drift occurs, leading to inconsistencies. Configuration drift can cause failures and debugging issues, but it’s mitigated by using IaC tools like Terraform and regular audits to enforce desired states.

Date: 2025-10-04