Exciting 2024 Update for Containerized Ansible Automation Platform
Written on
Introduction to the Update
The recent Technology Preview of the containerized Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform has generated significant enthusiasm within the tech community. This cutting-edge solution provides a robust, user-friendly option for enterprise automation, attracting attention from both existing users and potential clients. The path toward the platform’s general availability has been enriched by constructive feedback, which has resulted in noteworthy improvements, fixes, and enhancements. This article explores these updates, focusing on how they simplify the installation process, bolster security measures, and introduce other key changes.
Streamlining the Installation Process
A major advancement in enhancing user experience with the containerized Ansible Automation Platform is the simplification of the installation process. By utilizing core platform features, the reliance on certain command-line instructions has been minimized, resulting in a smoother setup. For example, the ansible.cfg file is now automatically configured to establish the collections path, default inventory file, and logs:
$ cat ansible.cfg
[defaults]
collections_path = ./collections
inventory = ./inventory
log_path = ./aap_install.log
This modification allows users to forgo the manual specification of a collections path or inventory when adhering to installation defaults, thus streamlining the initial setup.
Strengthening Security Measures
Security remains a top priority, and the latest update defaults to utilizing Transport Layer Security (TLS) across all services, enhancing network security. Users can either implement their own certificates or opt for those generated by the installer, providing both customization and ease of use.
Adjustments in Port Configuration
To prevent potential conflicts, default UI ports have been revised:
- Automation controller: Changed from 443 to 8443
- Ansible automation hub: Changed from 444 to 8444
- Event-Driven Ansible controller: Changed from 445 to 8445
These adjustments help avoid clashes with existing applications and can be further customized during installation.
Introducing Automation Mesh
The addition of automation mesh capabilities to containerized installations marks a significant upgrade. Users can now include hop and remote execution nodes right from the installation phase, enhancing the platform's flexibility and scalability. For instance, to add a remote execution node, users simply need to update their inventory file as follows:
[execution_nodes]
execution.example.com
Enhancements to Event-Driven Ansible
Improvements extend to Event-Driven Ansible, with Decision Environments (DEs) being set up during installation, facilitating the integration of custom or supported DEs and their associated credential resources.
Advancements in Networking and Content Seeding
Networking enhancements now include IPv6 support for the user interface, broadening accessibility. Additionally, the platform adopts a configuration-as-code model for pre-seeding automation content, enhancing capabilities for automation hub content such as namespaces and execution environment images.
Improvements to Ansible Automation Hub
The platform now offers support for collection and container signing, reinforcing the security and integrity of automation resources.
Links to Further Resources
Conclusion
The recent updates to the containerized Ansible Automation Platform highlight Red Hat's dedication to making enterprise automation simpler and more secure. These enhancements not only streamline the installation process but also introduce robust security features, extend networking capabilities, and improve content management.
For those interested in exploring these updates, the platform is available for download through the Red Hat Portal, along with comprehensive documentation and an updated Installation Guide detailing the recent changes. As we move closer to general availability, this platform promises to redefine enterprise automation with its containerized approach. Stay tuned for more updates on the containerized Ansible Automation Platform. Happy Automating!
Video Insights
Discover the transformative updates in the Containerized Ansible Automation Platform with the following videos:
Containerized Ansible Automation Platform Update 2024: This video covers significant advancements aimed at simplifying and enhancing security within the platform.
Step-by-Step: Installing Containerized AAP on RHEL9: A detailed guide that walks you through the installation process of the containerized Ansible Automation Platform on RHEL9.