When it comes to pushing a device to the edge it needs to be configured and secure. In the majority of cases this is a manual operation and typically takes a couple of hours. The downfall is that manual configuration is prone to human error. Furthermore, manual configuration is not scalable, as it requires human intervention for each new device going to the edge. Equally, when working with the cloud, experts need to be on hand to turn up the cloud service and register the device for use with the service.
In this blog, we look at a more efficient way of streamlining the complete cloud-to-edge stack with Blackrock Ansible automation.
Open Ansible automation platform
Blackrock is an open Ansible automation platform, used by organizations to provision all types of devices at the edge, and cloud operations. With built-in integration for DevSecOps toolchains, organizations can leverage an agile environment in which to build, share, and maintain golden provisioning configuration workflows. Plus, with role-based access controls, any user with minimal IT skills can run automation tasks from anywhere.
The mechanics behind Blackrock cloud-to-edge automation
Shown in figure 1 is an example software workflow automating cloud and edge operations.
On the left is the software integrated developer environment (IDE). Here developers “Plan – Code – Build – Test – Deploy” the automated operation playbooks. Once happy, developers “Commit-Push” to a central repository such as Git.
The advantages of using Git, is that multiple experts in Cloud, Cybersecurity, Networking, Software Development, and Data Science, can collaborate and contribute to the full cloud-to-edge stack automation.
In the center is Blackrock, the glue between the developer, cloud and edge devices. All the end-user needs to do is add the publicly available Ansible Collections for their preferred cloud e.g. AWS, AZure, GCP and OCI to Blackrock.
A significant advantage to using Blackrock is the integrated Ansible vault. This allows developers to encrypt all their cloud keys and IAM details before sharing in Git. The result is securely air-gapped credentials, that the end-user has no visibility or access.
Blackrock role-based access control (RBAC)
As shown in figure 2, cloud and edge operations are organized as projects and jobs in Blackrock. Once the projects and jobs are in place, the end-user only needs to sync the project i.e. get the latest files from Git and press play on the job. A key advantage of Blackrock is the ability to apply role-based access controls to each job. Once the job has completed, users have access to log and audit trail, for review at any time.
With Blackrock, expedite program and mission readiness from anywhere, with consistent and secure Ansible automation for all types of clouds, hardware systems, and applications.
To try Blackrock for free today, simply get in touch with the team, or email support@klasgroup.com.
