Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) Review
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform Reviews and Ratings
Community insights
TrustRadius Insights for Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.
Pros
High Reliability in Migration: Users have emphasized the extremely reliable migration process to production when using containers in Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, ensuring consistency, speed, and accuracy throughout the deployment lifecycle. This reliability plays a crucial role in maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing risks associated with migration tasks.
Efficient Role-Based Access Control: Many users appreciate the Role-Based Access Control feature of the platform, enabling the smooth passing of automation capabilities to multiple teams with minimal training or skills required for operation. The implementation of RBAC enhances security measures and promotes collaborative workflows among different user groups.
Ease of Playbook Development: The ease of creating playbooks to automate tasks, collaborating effectively between teams, and implementing security changes through automation has been positively acknowledged by users as advantageous features. This streamlined playbook development process not only increases productivity but also fosters better coordination within project teams for enhanced outcomes.
Reviews
Videos
Exploring the Ease of Use and Automation Capabilities of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform.
Rating: 10 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
We use Red Hat Ansible Automation to automate our critical IT routine tasks, such as configuration management, patch deployment, server configuration, and software installation (e.g., Datadog, Python, and AWS CLI) across our multi-server infrastructure. Previously, these tasks took days or weeks to complete manually, but now run automatically, freeing us to focus on higher-value workflows. For example, when we need to patch many of our servers, this tool automatically deploys updates across all our systems instead of us doing it manually, which not only reduces human error but also keeps everything consistent, eliminating having different configurations which can cause issues later. Also it automate day to day health checks by scanning servers on schedule and generating reports that help us to know which systems are secure and which need addressing. Because it works across all our environments, it allows us to manage everything centrally without switching multiple platforms.
Pros
- Automation purposes which eliminates human error.
- Managing all configuration consistency between all servers.
- Managing application deployment.
- Automating security compliance tasks and network.
- Patch management.
- Routine health checks.
- Report generation.
Cons
- Doesn't offer ease integration with secret vault like CyberArk.
- The technical support services need significant improvement, as users have had a poor experience.
- Also needs improvement by creating modules for upcoming AI and ML technologies, as this capability is missing.
Likelihood to Recommend
Red Hat Ansible automates server management, configuration updates, and deployments across our server infrastructure, keeping everything consistent, reducing human error, and saving time. Also provides detailed reports on what is done and uses role-based access controls to keep systems secure by controlling who can make changes.
MP
Mahmoud Panda
DevOps Engineer in Information Technology at MOBILE HEALTH (11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
9 years of experience
AAP used for OpenShift Cluster build automation.
Rating: 8 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
I use Ansible to assist in OpenShift Cluster automated builds. You can build a vanilla OpenShift cluster with OpenShift Native tools (advanced cluster manager), but that falls short when it comes to customizing. With Ansible Automation Platform, I can install additional operators and configurations that reflect a standard build for our organization.
Pros
- Provides a platform to run a known runbook.
- Provides the RBAC so that the runbooks are only run where desired.
- the UI gives good traceability of job history.
Cons
- the integration with Red Hat Advanced Cluster Manager is not fluid.
Likelihood to Recommend
Well-suited for repeatable workflows. Well-suited where RBAC is required.
Vetted Review
10 years of experience
Save time and avoid complications.
Rating: 8 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
We use Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform so that developers in the DevOps cycle can automatically deploy new versions of applications directly from integration with Jenkins.We also automate tasks such as user management within Linux servers from systems.
Pros
- Flow control
- Segmentation of user roles and permissions
- Integration with other platforms
- Simple language when programming playbooks
Cons
- Complexity of configuration and maintenance
Likelihood to Recommend
It's going well:Operating system administration. Administration of a cloud such as AWS and Deployment of applications on a server. Not recommended when: The infrastructure is very large, Automatic rollback of changes is required if something goes wrong
Vetted Review
3 years of experience
Automating my job is a life goal.
Rating: 8 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
Ansible helps us achieve and maintain CMMC compliance. Any time a new asset is brought online, we use Ansible to ensure the correct settings are applied. Ansible also verifies that all assets in the inventory have the proper settings applied. We also use it to generate monthly reports for tracking.
Pros
- Automate deployment.
- Verify CMMC compliance.
- Generate reports from across assets of different types including network equipment.
Cons
- While it can work with Windows OS it is limited and still has room for improvement.
- Initial setup can be difficult.
Likelihood to Recommend
I'd say Ansible can help automate tasks that you perform regularly, like deployment and patching/updating. And for functions where you want to ensure a certain number of steps are always completed and remain that way. I recommend Ansible for everyone dealing with Linux, from a home lab to an enterprise environment.
TK
Travis Kessler
System Administrator II in Information Technology at SNC (1001-5000 employees)
Vetted Review
3 years of experience
From Manual to Managed Our Journey with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform
Rating: 9 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
Our organization uses Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform to automate many tasks on our server and network infrastructure.Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform saves me and my colleagues many hours per month handling menial tasks such as setting a base configuration for a new VM or setting up a networking switch with a preset configuration for a certain office or department.We currently use it at all levels of our IT infrastructure.
Pros
- Provisioning VM’s, in our use case we have playbooks for our Linux vm’s, to set a hardened base configuration to build off to deploy new applications or infrastructure.
- Config/access management, we have written playbooks to ensure consistency of our infrastructure and network devices. So, Security settings ssh keys etc... are the same across our whole infrastructure.
- Application management, we use it to deploy custom applications, manage software updates across our Linux infrastructure and quickly deploy changes to these applications to ensure compliance with an ever-changing landscape of security requirements.
Cons
- I only use Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform in SSH, a few of my colleagues use Automation Controller, I find the GUI a bit clunky and unresponsive.
- There’s a bit of a learning curve to setting up and using the tool but once you get the hang of the logic it’s a great tool
- No native gitops workflow, would be nice to have a version control and a rollback feature for playbooks.
Likelihood to Recommend
In our case we mainly use it for our Linux Vm’s and it works great not really had any issues it handles everything we’ve thrown at it.On the other hand, the few Windows Vm’s we currently run haven’t been so smooth, some of that is down to windows itself and the limited time we’ve spent automating our windows vm’s but our experience using WinRM with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform hasn’t been positive, but I think it’s a windows issue not an Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform issue.Network wise HPE Aruba Networking gear works great with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, HPE have great documentation on implementing it with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform.
Vetted Review
4 years of experience
Good product
Rating: 9 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
I use Ansible Automation Platform to automate a variety of IT Operations tasks, like reboots with WebEx notifications and load balancing, audit evidence, Windows patching, server provisioning, monitoring maintence, IIS management, and much more.
Pros
- Scheduling
- Interactive templates via web
- Job dashboard filtering
Cons
- Credential passing through yaml to PowerShell
- LDAP integration
- Logging nothing if a template fails or succeeds awkwardly
Likelihood to Recommend
I like the power of AAP, the web interface, and the survey and schedule features. Integration of AD groups is cumbersome, logging is occasionally useless, and I need a separate credential option, so listing does complain about sending passwords clear text to Powershell.
Vetted Review
3 years of experience
Perfect combination of many features.
Rating: 10 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
As a Systems Architect, I deploy K8s clusters and set up deployment systems as a PoC in my lab, and troubleshoot the same in production. Most deployments involve multi-cluster 5G network nodes on any CaaS layer. Ansible helps me automatically configure node settings on top of any IaC tool. This includes multi-OS configuration, simplification of network device configuration, patching, and other related tasks.
Pros
- It reduces custom scripting efforts because everything can be scripted in simple, human-readable YAML playbooks.
- Not only servers, but also network devices, VMs, Containers, Kubernetes clusters, etc., can be automated via Ansible, showcasing its extensive list of supported devices.
- It is agentless, which makes it lightweight and allows for easy integration into CI/CD and GitOps pipelines.
- Many Tier-1 telcos use Ansible for Day 0/1/2 automation of RAN, transport, and core infrastructure (e.g., network function lifecycle management, NE configuration push, patching VNFs).
Cons
- Ansible is still not truly declarative like Terraform.
- Simple automation is fine, but creating complex, scalable automation scripts is very difficult to learn.
- For a higher number of nodes, Ansible consumes a lot of resources. It needs the paid version of AAP, which requires a cost.
Likelihood to Recommend
For automating the configuration of a multi-node, multi-domain (Storage, VM, Container) cluster, Ansible is still the best choice; however, it is not an easy task to achieve. Creating the infrastructure layer, i.e., creating network nodes, VMs, and K8s clusters, still can't be achieved via Ansible. Additionally, error handling remains complex to resolve.
AK
Asad Khan
Systems Solution Architect in Engineering at Nokia (10,001+ employees)
Vetted Review
3 years of experience
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform Review
Rating: 9 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform helps my organization by giving a centralized automation platform. Teams can write their own automation in their own environments, upload it to their repository, and launch it from Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. By having Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, it also forces teams to write Ansible playbooks correctly and follow the correct role structure that Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform uses. It addresses the need for a centralized automation platform and a place where automation can be ran. Reducing the number of prod-like environments spun up by various teams to launch their automation.
Pros
- Centralize the launching of Ansible automation
- Centralize the hosting of modules, collections, plugins, etc.
- Role-based access for teams and their users
- Holding execution environments
Cons
- Better documentation on role-based access controls
- Adding in builtin repository syncing
- Better documentation on launching templates via API call
Likelihood to Recommend
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform works great for my organization because it centralizes where Ansible automation is ran from. There is no need to have multiple prod-like environments that would run Ansible automation. Like I mentioned in the previous question, it also helps with organizing the users based on their teams/organizations from Azure AD. There are also multiple ways to deploy Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, whether it be via a VM, cluster operator, container, etc. Helps with transferring if the need ever arises.
Vetted Review
3 years of experience
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform Review
Rating: 9 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
In our organization, we use Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform To manage assets and inventories across various domains.
Pros
- You can manage multiple assets from a central location.
Cons
- I'm still fairly new to it, so I'm not quite sure, but it is fairly easy to learn right now.
Likelihood to Recommend
I have different assets in different areas across our campus, so Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform makes it easier to manage them from one central location.
Vetted Review
1 year of experience
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform Review
Rating: 10 out of 10
IncentivizedUse Cases and Deployment Scope
We automate everything, automate all the things, as we say. From patch management to user management, anything to do on the RHEL box, we do it. We use it on Windows, we use it on our F5s, we use it on our network equipment. Just automate everything in our organization.
Pros
- Automate. If you got to do something once, do it once. If you got to do it twice, automate it with Ansible.
Cons
- I can't think of any right now because I've heard about the Lightspeed and I'm really excited about that. Ansible has been really solid for us. We haven't had any issues. Maybe the upgrade process, but other than that, as coming from a user, it's awesome.
- Give out Lightspeed for free.
Likelihood to Recommend
I'm going to say it is best suited for configuration management. Like I said, patching even with security, things of that nature. Probably less suited is hardware management, but Red Hat IBM/IBM has Terraform for that. So it's a trade off.
VW
Victor Williams
Linux Administrator in Information Technology at Blue Cross from Blue Shield of Alabama (1001-5000 employees)
Vetted Review
7 years of experience
