Red Hat Debuts Ansible 2.1, with Network Automation, Containers, Microsoft Windows, and Azure
Newest release of open source IT automation framework brings 40 newly
integrated modules for DevOps teams and IT administrators
RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT), the world’s leading provider of open source
solutions, today announced the general availability of Ansible 2.1, the
latest version of the leading simple, powerful, and agentless open
source IT automation framework. Ansible 2.1 introduces support for
network automation, which helps further extend Ansible as a common
language in enterprise IT environments--from the foundation of the
network to container-based deployments.
Ansible enables developers and IT operators to more easily and quickly
deploy IT applications and environments, empowering them to remove
barriers between IT teams by automating routine activities such as
network configuration, cloud deployments, and creation of development
environments. Ansible’s modular code base, combined with ease of
contribution, and a community of contributors in GitHub, enables the
powerful IT automation platform to manage today’s infrastructure, but
also adapt to new IT needs and DevOps workflows.
Ansible 2.1 includes many new features, including:
Support for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Azure
Ansible 2.1 now includes support for Microsoft Windows environments,
enabling users to use a single automation platform for complete
cross-platform automation. New features include:
- Broader support for Microsoft Azure, expanding Ansible’s
support for hybrid cloud deployments, including the ability to take
advantage of Azure’s Resource Manager functionality.
- New Windows modules, enabling the management of Windows file
sharing and the Windows firewall, further increasing Windows’
automatable surface area within Ansible.
- Easier management of domain-joined machines with NT LAN Manager
(NTLM), enabling more secure authentication of domain users with
just a username and password - reducing the need to configure and
manage Kerberos on the Ansible control machine.
- Kerberos delegation expanded for multi-hop scenarios, enabling
better credential flow for legacy scripts and installations that need
transparent access to domain file shares, Microsoft SQL Server, and
more.
- Simple reboots with new win_reboot action, helping to solve the
challenge of automating software installations on Windows platforms
that also require a system restart as part of a workflow.
Expanded Support for Containers
Ansible 2.1 introduces a powerful new module, docker-service, as well as
a rewrite of Ansible’s existing Docker modules:
- docker_service: Enables Ansible users to consume Docker Compose
and manage and scale multi-container applications.
- docker_container: Managing basic container lifecycle
- docker_image: Build, push, pull, and tag images for Docker
- docker_login: for managing access to Docker registries
- docker_image Facts: Inspect images for metadata
With Ansible 2.1’s new docker-service module, users can embed Docker
Compose into broader Ansible playbooks, to configure the network,
operating systems, and deployment infrastructure that lives outside of a
container environment.
General Availability of Networking Automation
Ansible 2.1 fully integrates the network automation support that debuted
in February. By extending Ansible automation to the network, Ansible
now enables network infrastructure to be managed in the same simple,
powerful, and agentless manner that systems and applications already
utilize. This helps network teams to take advantage of new deployment
paradigms, including configuration automation, test-driven network
deployment, and continuous compliance.
Ansible 2.1 adds more than 40 new core modules providing network
automation support across a variety of network platforms including:
Arista EOS; Cisco IOS; Cisco IOS-XR; Cisco NXOS; Cumulus Networks;
Juniper Networks Junos OS; and OpenSwitch.
Availability
Ansible 2.1 is now available via GitHub,
PyPi,
and package manager for most major Linux distributions. For users
seeking more control, knowledge, and delegation for their Ansible
deployments, Ansible
Tower is available as a subscription suitable for teams ranging from
small companies to full-scale, enterprise IT organizations.
Supporting Quotes
Tim Cramer, head of Ansible Engineering, Red Hat
“We are pleased to deliver Ansible 2.1, which continues to build on the
great things we did with our community in the recent 2.0 release. By
extending Ansible’s capabilities into Microsoft Windows and Azure
environments and networking, our users can further expand their
automation capabilities into their environment, helping to make their
operations as hybrid as their IT.”
Additional Resources
Connect with Red Hat
About Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat is the world's leading provider of open source software
solutions, using a community-powered approach to reliable and
high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization
technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and
consulting services. As a connective hub in a global network of
enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create
relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and
prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com.
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Red Hat, Inc.
Anna Eusebio, 919-754-4519
aeusebio@redhat.com
Source: Red Hat, Inc.