Ansible Automation Hub

Basic Information

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub is a central repository designed for discovering, downloading, and managing Ansible Content Collections. These collections bundle modules, plug-ins, roles, and documentation from Red Hat and its partners. It is included as part of a Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) subscription.

• Model: Ansible Automation Hub (part of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform)
• Version: The Automation Hub component is versioned within the broader Ansible Automation Platform releases. For example, Automation Hub 4.10.5 is part of Ansible Automation Platform 2.5.
• Release Date: Ansible Automation Hub was introduced as a new capability with the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. Ansible Automation Platform 2 was generally available in November 2021.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires a valid Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform subscription.
• Supported Operating Systems: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 or later (64-bit x86, ppc64le, s390x, aarch64) or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0 or later (64-bit x86, ppc64le, s390x, aarch64). It is also supported on OpenShift.
• Latest Stable Version: As of recent updates, Ansible Automation Platform 2.6 is the latest release, which includes updated components like Automation Hub. Automation Hub 4.10.5 is mentioned in relation to AAP 2.5.
• End of Support Date: The lifecycle of Ansible Automation Hub is tied to the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform lifecycle. Red Hat provides a published product lifecycle for AAP to help customers plan. Specific end-of-support dates depend on the AAP version. Extended Life-cycle Support (ELS) was available for AAP 1.2 until December 31st, 2024.
• End of Life Date: End-of-life dates are determined by the broader Ansible Automation Platform lifecycle.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly stated as a separate expiration date for auto-updates; updates are part of the subscription and platform lifecycle.
• License Type: Subscription-based, included with a Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform subscription. It is an open-source software project licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3.
• Deployment Model: Available as a hosted service on console.redhat.com or as an on-premise "Private Automation Hub" for disconnected environments.

Technical Requirements

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub, as a component of Ansible Automation Platform, has specific system requirements for on-premise deployments.

• RAM: Minimum 4 GB for Private Automation Hub. For the broader Ansible Automation Platform, 8 GB RAM is a minimum for Vagrant trial installations and external standalone PostgreSQL databases. For control nodes, a minimum of 8 GB RAM is recommended, with 16 GB or more for larger deployments.
• Processor: Minimum 2 CPUs for Private Automation Hub. For the broader Ansible Automation Platform, a minimum of 4 CPU cores is recommended for small environments, with 8 or more cores for larger setups.
• Storage: 20 GB dedicated hard disk space for Private Automation Hub, dependent on the size of collections stored. A minimum of 40GB should be dedicated to /var for collection storage. For the Ansible Automation Platform installation, 20 GB is a minimum, with 50 GB or more recommended, preferably on SSDs.
• Display: A currently supported version of Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome is required for browser access.
• Ports: Network ports and protocols must be available for successful connection and download of collections.
• Operating System: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.7 or later (64-bit x86) or 8.2 or later (64-bit x86) for Private Automation Hub. For Ansible Automation Platform, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 or later (64-bit x86, ppc64le, s390x, aarch64) or 9.0 or later (64-bit x86, ppc64le, s390x, aarch64) is supported.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub are moderate for basic deployments, aligning with typical enterprise server specifications. The need for Red Hat Enterprise Linux as the primary supported OS emphasizes its integration within the Red Hat ecosystem. Storage requirements are dynamic, scaling with the volume of content collections. The platform's ability to run on OpenShift indicates support for containerized and cloud-native deployments, offering flexibility. The browser requirement is standard for web-based interfaces. Overall, the requirements are reasonable for an enterprise-grade automation solution, with scalability options for larger environments.

Support & Compatibility

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub is an integral part of the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, benefiting from Red Hat's comprehensive support ecosystem.

• Latest Version: The Automation Hub component is updated with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform releases, with AAP 2.6 being a recent stable version.
• OS Support: Primarily supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6+ and 9.0+ (64-bit x86, ppc64le, s390x, aarch64), and OpenShift.
• End of Support Date: Tied to the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform lifecycle, which includes defined maintenance phases. Customers are advised to upgrade to the most current supported version.
• Localization: Not explicitly detailed in search results, but Red Hat products generally offer multi-language support.
• Available Drivers: As a software repository and management tool, it does not typically require specific hardware drivers. Its content collections contain modules and plugins that interact with various systems and applications.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub offers robust support and compatibility, stemming from its inclusion within the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. Red Hat provides standard or premium support options, ensuring assistance for Red Hat Ansible Certified Content. The platform's lifecycle management provides clear guidance on support timelines, encouraging timely upgrades. Compatibility is strong within the Red Hat ecosystem, particularly with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and OpenShift. The content collections themselves are designed to integrate with a wide array of platforms and technologies, enhancing overall compatibility for automation tasks. The focus on certified and validated content further ensures reliability and supportability.

Security Status

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub is designed with enterprise security in mind, leveraging its integration within the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform.

• Security Features: Digitally signs content to establish a secure software chain of custody. It provides Red Hat Ansible Certified Content, which is prebuilt, fully supported, and vetted. Integrates with enterprise authentication methods like LDAP and SAML.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Vulnerabilities have been identified and addressed within the Ansible Automation Platform ecosystem, including path traversal in the galaxy importer, information disclosure via Gateway API, and issues with sensitive cookies. Ansible has also addressed high-severity vulnerabilities related to sensitive information disclosure through improper handling of variables.
• Blacklist Status: No general blacklist status is indicated, but security advisories (RHSAs) are issued for identified vulnerabilities.
• Certifications: Red Hat Ansible Certified Content implies a level of certification and vetting by Red Hat and its partners.
• Encryption Support: Lacks encryption of sensitive information in some components, such as Event-Driven Automation (EDA), which has been identified as a vulnerability. However, sensitive cookies without security flags over non-encrypted channels can lead to Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) and Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
• Authentication Methods: Supports various authentication methods, including LDAP, SAML, and token-based authentication (OAuth 2).
• General Recommendations: Regular updates and patches are crucial. Validating content for compatibility with templating changes before upgrading is recommended to ensure security and performance.

Analysis of Overall Security Rating

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub, as part of the Ansible Automation Platform, maintains a strong security posture through its use of certified content, digital signing, and integration with enterprise authentication systems. However, like many complex software platforms, it has experienced and addressed vulnerabilities, including critical information disclosure and path traversal issues. Red Hat actively releases security advisories and updates to mitigate these risks. The presence of identified vulnerabilities, particularly regarding encryption in some components and sensitive data handling, indicates that continuous vigilance, timely patching, and adherence to security best practices are essential for maintaining a secure environment.

Performance & Benchmarks

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub's performance is intrinsically linked to the overall Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, focusing on scalability and efficient content delivery.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific public benchmark scores for Automation Hub are not readily available, but the platform is designed for enterprise-scale automation.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Performance tuning guides emphasize optimizing database interactions, scaling components independently (control, execution, automation hub), and managing project update jobs. Horizontal scaling by adding more instances is recommended for high resource utilization.
• Power Consumption: Not directly applicable to software; power consumption is dependent on the underlying hardware and infrastructure where the platform is deployed.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable to software; carbon footprint is dependent on the energy efficiency of the data center or cloud provider hosting the platform.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Automation Hub serves as a central repository for certified content, differentiating it from generic content management systems by focusing specifically on Ansible Content Collections. It is the downstream Red Hat supported product version of Ansible Galaxy.

Analysis of Overall Performance Status

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub is engineered for scalable and efficient performance within the Ansible Automation Platform. Its design allows for independent scaling of components, including the hub itself, to meet varying workload demands. Performance optimization strategies involve efficient use of Ansible forks, pipelining, and fact caching to reduce job execution times. The platform's ability to host container images for execution environments further contributes to consistent and portable automation execution. While specific public benchmarks for Automation Hub are not widely published, the architectural considerations for scaling and performance tuning indicate a robust design capable of handling demanding enterprise automation workloads.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub generally highlight its role in streamlining automation content management and enhancing collaboration within organizations.

• Strengths:
  • Centralized repository for certified and validated Ansible Content Collections, ensuring trusted and supported automation.
  • Facilitates faster automation project initiation by providing pre-built content.
  • Enables management, sharing, and curation of internal and external content, with governance capabilities, especially with Private Automation Hub.
  • Supports a secure software supply chain through content signing.
  • Part of the broader Ansible Automation Platform, offering an integrated solution for scaling automation.
• Weaknesses:
  • Requires a Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform subscription, which might be a barrier for some users.
  • Some users might find the initial setup and integration with existing systems complex, particularly for on-premise deployments.
  • Dependencies on the broader Ansible Automation Platform lifecycle for updates and support.
  • Identified vulnerabilities, though addressed, indicate a need for continuous security management.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Organizations seeking a trusted source for Ansible automation content, backed by Red Hat support.
  • Enterprises needing to manage and share internally developed Ansible content securely and consistently.
  • Teams looking to accelerate automation adoption by leveraging pre-built and certified content.
  • Environments requiring a unified platform for automation across hybrid cloud and on-premise infrastructures.

Summary

Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub is a critical component of the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, serving as a centralized, secure repository for Ansible Content Collections. It provides access to certified and validated automation content from Red Hat and its partners, significantly accelerating automation project development and deployment. The platform supports both hosted and on-premise (Private Automation Hub) deployment models, catering to diverse organizational needs, including disconnected environments.

Strengths of Ansible Automation Hub include its role in establishing a secure software supply chain through content signing, offering pre-built and supported content, and facilitating effective content governance and sharing within an organization. Its integration with the broader Ansible Automation Platform ensures a unified experience with shared credentials, SSO, and RBAC, enhancing collaboration and control.

However, the asset's reliance on a Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform subscription can be a consideration for some users. While Red Hat actively addresses security vulnerabilities, the presence of past issues underscores the importance of continuous patching and adherence to security best practices.

Technical requirements are aligned with enterprise-grade software, supporting Red Hat Enterprise Linux and OpenShift, with scalable options for RAM, CPU, and storage. Performance is optimized through architectural design that allows for independent scaling of components and various tuning strategies.

Overall, Red Hat Ansible Automation Hub is a robust and essential tool for enterprises committed to scaling and standardizing their automation efforts. It is highly recommended for organizations already invested in the Red Hat ecosystem or those seeking a secure, supported, and centralized solution for managing their Ansible automation content. Its capabilities empower teams to accelerate automation adoption, ensure content reliability, and maintain governance across their IT environments.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.