DevNet Associate (DEVASC) v1.0Infrastructure and AutomationMedium
A network administrator is evaluating different configuration management tools for automating day-to-day tasks across a heterogeneous network environment. The requirements include agentless operation, push-based configuration, and strong community support for network automation modules. Which automation tool best fits these criteria?
- AAnsible
- BSaltStack
- CChef
- DPuppet
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Ansible
Ansible is well-known for its agentless architecture, using SSH for communication, and its push-based configuration model. It also boasts a very strong and active community, especially within the network automation space, with numerous modules for various network vendors.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. SaltStack can be agentless (SSH) but is typically agent-based (minions) and uses a master-minion architecture. Its community support for network automation, while growing, is generally considered less extensive than Ansible's.
- C. Chef is also primarily agent-based and pull-based, not meeting the agentless requirement.
- D. Puppet is primarily agent-based and pull-based, not fitting the agentless requirement.
Ansible
Ansible is an open-source automation engine that automates software provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment. It is agentless and uses SSH for communication.
- Agentless (uses SSH).
- Push-based configuration.
- Uses YAML for playbooks.
- Strong community and network modules.
Memory trick: ANSIBLE is the ANswer for agentless, network-focused automation.