In a recent webinar hosted by Insight and Red Hat, experts discussed how organizations can enhance their network and security management using Red Hat's Ansible automation platform in conjunction with Cisco technologies. The session highlighted the importance of automation in improving operational efficiency and security in today's fast-paced business environment.
Key Takeaways
Automation and Security: How they support innovation and agility in organizations.
Proactive Service Delivery: Transitioning from reactive to proactive operational models.
Agile Business Environment: Approaching automation and security effectively.
The Evolution of Insight
Insight has transformed significantly over the years, evolving from a typical reseller to a solutions integrator. This shift has been fueled by strategic acquisitions, enhancing their capabilities in DevOps and cloud services. Notably, the acquisition of Data Link in 2017 strengthened their data center capabilities, while recent acquisitions have further expanded their offerings in cloud services.
Why Choose Insight?
When considering a partner for Red Hat and Cisco solutions, Insight stands out for several reasons:
Long-standing Relationships: Over 25 years with Cisco and more than a decade with Red Hat.
Expertise: A team of pre and post-sales engineers across various technical teams.
Comprehensive Support: Ability to assist clients with both on-premise and cloud solutions.
Introduction to Ansible Automation
Ansible is a powerful open-source automation platform that simplifies the automation of tasks across multiple devices and platforms. Its agentless architecture means no need to install individual agents on devices, making it easier to manage and troubleshoot.
Key Features of Ansible:
Human-Readable Playbooks: Uses YAML files to define automation tasks.
Wide Adoption: Supported by a vast community, ensuring continuous improvement and support.
Pre-Built Modules: Includes modules for managing Cisco devices, making it easier to automate configurations and tasks.
Use Cases for Ansible with Cisco
Organizations have found numerous applications for Ansible in managing Cisco devices, including:
Configuration Management: Automating the setup and management of network devices.
Network Provisioning: Streamlining the deployment of new devices.
Compliance and Auditing: Ensuring that devices meet regulatory standards.
Routine Task Automation: Automating backups, firmware upgrades, and configuration rollbacks.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency
The integration of Ansible with Cisco devices allows for significant improvements in operational efficiency. For example, automating a site-to-site VPN configuration can reduce setup time from two hours to just five minutes. This frees up IT teams to focus on more critical tasks rather than mundane configurations.
Event-Driven Automation
Event-driven automation (EDA) takes this a step further by allowing systems to respond automatically to specific network conditions. This means that instead of running tasks on a schedule, Ansible can react in real-time to events such as log messages or network changes.
Key Components of EDA:
Event Sources: Triggers that initiate automation actions.
Rulebooks: Define the logic for how Ansible should respond to events.
Rulebook Runner: Monitors events and triggers actions accordingly.
The combination of Red Hat's Ansible automation platform and Cisco's networking solutions offers organizations a powerful way to enhance their network and security management. By automating routine tasks and enabling real-time responses to network events, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and focus on innovation. With Insight's expertise and support, organizations can confidently embark on their automation journey, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future.