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

• Get Ansible 2.1
• Attend Ask an Expert Webinar on Containers, Wednesday, July 15
• Attend the next AnsibleFest, Thursday, July 28
• Discover ways to contribute to the Ansible community
• Follow Ansible on Twitter

Connect with Red Hat

• Learn more about Red Hat
• Get more news in the Red Hat newsroom
• Read the Red Hat blog
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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.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to the ability of the Company to compete effectively; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; delays or reductions in information technology spending; the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; the effects of industry consolidation; uncertainty and adverse results in litigation and related settlements; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; risks related to data and information security vulnerabilities; ineffective management of, and control over, the Company's growth and international operations; fluctuations in exchange rates; and changes in and a dependence on key personnel, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic and political conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Red Hat, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ansible and the Shadowman logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160525005826/en/

Red Hat, Inc.
Anna Eusebio, 919-754-4519
[email protected]

Source: Red Hat, Inc.

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