Linux Server Automation: Several companies today are striving for digital transformation, enabling higher productivity through configuration management and server automation. According to a 2020 survey on Mckinsey, 80% of enterprises automate at least one or more tasks or business functions.

By leveraging modern server automation tools, you can automate the process of provisioning, patching, and managing. These tools allow you to configure and manage multiple servers and systems simultaneously, and they can also help you avoid configuration errors.

Several organizations leverage Linux systems to manage their infrastructure and operations. To improve efficiency and ensure Linux operations run smoothly, IT administrators seek to automate routine procedures and processes to save time, reduce workload, and manage resources better. Although Linux infrastructure has some automation capabilities, it isn’t always easy to automate. Some administrators may face a rather arduous challenge using just Linux for automation without taking advantage of additional Linux Server Automation tools.

In this article, you’ll learn about Linux server automation and some of the tools that system admins can use to run Linux tasks.

What Is Linux Server Automation?

Linux Server Automation is the process of automating the provisioning, patching, scheduling, security, compliance, and other Linux-based tasks across virtual and physical servers. Most large enterprises employ Linux system infrastructure. To efficiently manage them, IT administrators must monitor, update, and secure the servers to ensure they are operating at their best. Some of these processes include:

• Security

Controlling user access is a critical part of Linux security activities. The first step to gaining access to Linux servers is managing SSH keys and user credentials such as usernames and passwords. By blocking ports and restricting network access, you can limit access and keep out attackers of Linux server infrastructure.

• Configurations

Keeping all servers and systems updated is crucial to the success of any Linux system. As a result, Linux administrators need to customize their Linux infrastructure initially to fit their environment. In the meantime, all endpoints need to be patched continuously as new updates and applications become available.

• Monitoring

IT admins need to have the ability to monitor their system after the security and configuration management operations are in place. Additionally, Cyber security technicians can assess the performance of a system to determine whether more comprehensive maintenance and monitoring are needed or if a replacement is necessary.

Role Of Linux Server Automation

If you want to become a Linux server administrator, there are a few repetitive tasks you’ll need to complete. The repetitive nature of some tasks made tracking the servers impossible. That was one of the reasons why there was a need for Linux server automation tools.

You can use them to manage and maintain multiple servers or systems concurrently, and some of them make it easy to perform specific tasks by simply clicking on a button or typing in a command. As a system administrator, you can focus more energy on other valuable tasks by automating some tasks.

5 Linux Server Automation Tools For System Admins

Attune

Attune is a server automation tool that runs across multiple platforms including Linux, Windows, and Mac Os environments. With Attune, you can automate Linux builds, provision, patch, secure, and monitor deployment across physical and virtual servers.

Similarly, Attune also supports PowerShell, Bash, and CMD procedures. By leveraging its node automation capabilities, you can automate tasks like setting up Home Labs or Docker configuration on Raspberry Pi. In addition to this, Attune has a user-friendly interface for managing all Linux servers.

Features of Attune

• It’s a Python-based automation tool that runs on a cross-platform such as Mac OS, Windows, and Linux for Attune Enterprise
• Multi-server coordination
• Full-stack orchestration
• Modern interface with an agentless architecture
• Streamlined task schedule management
• High portability and sharable procedures
• Enables existing scripts implementation for:
  • PowerShell script, Windows batch file, or script for specific Windows server interpreter
  • Bash, Perl, and Python scripts
  • Run SQL and PL/SQL scripts
• Generate reports and documentation

Chef

Chef is a popular and well-established infrastructure and configuration management software. It has widespread across several large enterprises that include Yahoo, Etsy, Facebook, and more.

Chef simplifies configuration management, helps to provision servers, automates complex infrastructure, and makes security and compliance easier. In addition to that, it integrates seamlessly with several cloud platforms such as Azure, GCP, and Amazon EC2.

Chef offers extensive, detailed documentation encompassing links to several community users, support guides, and resources. On top of that, you have many other extensions and procedures available to you.

Features of Chef

• Cross-platform software that can run across several operating systems such as Linux, Windows, Mac OS, and Solaris
• Impressive features such as data bags, cookbook versioning, and shared repositories
• Handles complex configuration tasks effortlessly with Ruby and Erlang-based syntax
• Open-source
• Scales flexibly and consistently as the business grows
• InSpec automated testing tools are available to examine Chef scripts

Read More: Chef Server Automation Alternatives

Puppet

Puppet is another Linux server automation tool for managing server builds, configuration, and deployment. It’s a cross-platform solution; works on Windows, Solaris, and Unix-like operating systems.

Puppet uses a Master-Slave architecture to communicate via a secure encrypted SSL channel. With the orchestrator and code manager, you can seamlessly transition from continuous integration to continuous delivery. On top of that, you can automate deployments and ensure consistency across several data centres while retaining flexibility in modifying code, parameters, and environment settings.

Puppet helps you remain compliant as your business changes, allowing you to maintain consistency while making changes. The Puppet community has contributed or supported more than 5,000 modules for Puppet that detect desired states and provide situational awareness.

Features of Puppet

• Ruby and C++-based applications that run on Linux, Unix-like operating systems, and Windows
• Monitor all hosts continuously and assign a unique configuration to each
• Supports scaling and reduces error
• Providing centralized management of all machines, such as automatic change propagation–master server and repository-based
• Widely used by over 30,000 firms including Google, Siemens, Stanford, Red Hat, and Harvard.
• Large collection of extensive documentation and references

SaltStack

SaltStack is a cross-platform configuration management software that runs on Linux, Windows, and Unix-based operating systems. It’s a powerful infrastructure management tool that helps to automate and manage configurations remotely and run commands in Python.

SaltStack offers both agentless & agent-based configuration management with Salt via the ability to simultaneously push configuration codes to multiple nodes. In addition to that, it ensures compliance and security by providing extensive SecOps capabilities.

Features of SaltStack

• Reproducible server configuration
• The global community of open and friendly developers help
• Readable YAML-based output
• Uses SSH or agents for agentless communication
• Multiple Salt minions can connect simultaneously to multiple Salt masters using the Salt Master parameter
• Easily manage thousands of minions simultaneously on a highly scalable platform

Read More: Top 6 SaltStack Alternatives in 2021

Ansible

Ansible is a Linux Server Automation tool for automating and managing servers. You can use Ansible to deploy and update your application, patch your servers, and manage compliance and governance. Other features that Ansible provides include cloud provisioning, Infrastructure orchestration, and security management.

You can manage your project with Ansible modules –nodes for connecting to Ansible. Because Ansible is agentless, modules can run across any system or server. As a result, you don’t need to install any client/server software or agents to use it. Ansible distinguishes itself from other configuration management tools with its simplicity, ease of use, and rapid deployment.

Features of Ansible

• Ansible connects seamlessly with other CI/CD tools such as Jenkins
• Enables rapid application deployment
• Reduces complexity and streamlines software releases
• Uses SSH to carry out all agentless architecture action
• Feature-rich with custom modules and extendable features
• Reduces workload complexity with simple release procedures

Read More: Top 5 Ansible Alternatives in 2021

Getting Started With Linux Task Automation

Managing complex applications and environments on Linux can seem like a daunting task without a Linux task automation tool. By leveraging industry-standard solutions, you can manage configurations, provision servers, enable security, and automate compliance checks across physical and virtual servers.

To get started with Linux server automation, take a look at the different server automation features on Attune.

Linux Server Automation: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of Linux server automation?

Automation of Linux servers has several advantages. It automates chores, saving time and effort via programmable, scheduled operations. This consistency assures error-free procedures, which reduces the possibility of human error. Automation’s scalability easily handles an increasing workload, allowing it to respond to changing needs.

Additionally, automation optimises resource utilisation by efficiently distributing server capabilities. It excels at error identification, resolving issues quickly to avoid escalation. From a security perspective, automated systems continually enforce security regulations and respond quickly to possible attacks, operating as constant guardians.

Finally, Linux server automation simplifies complicated procedures, allowing managers to concentrate on critical elements while increasing efficiency, dependability, and security across server settings.

What is the best language for Linux server automation?

When it comes to the finest language for Linux server automation, Python is an obvious option. Its readability, extensive libraries (like Paramiko and Fabric), and active community make it ideal for automated tasks. Python interacts smoothly with automation tools like Ansible, SaltStack, Attune, and Chef, increasing flexibility. Its simple syntax makes script writing easier, making it an excellent choice for new and seasoned developers.

Although Python is a popular language because of its ease of use and vast range of features, it’s important to remember that other languages, such as Bash, Ruby, and PowerShell, offer advantages of their own and can be chosen in specific situations. However, Python stands out as the best language for Linux server automation due to its broad acceptance and versatility.

Can we automate Linux commands?

Automating Linux operations is a popular technique, made possible by scripting languages like Bash or Python and these scripting languages can be used on specialised tools like Attune, Ansible, Salt, etc.

Scripting allows you to design sequences of Linux commands that run automatically, therefore speeding up repetitive jobs or complicated procedures. For example, you may design a set of instructions to be performed sequentially using Bash scripts, which offer efficiency and repeatability.

Additionally, more advanced declarative approaches are provided by automation tools like Attune, which let you define the ideal state of your system and have the tool manage the commands needed to get there. This functionality greatly enhances system administration and Linux server management, allowing administrators to save time while ensuring task consistency across Linux systems.

Automating Linux commands, whether for software installations, file management, provisioning or configuration settings, increases productivity and eliminates manual work in various operating situations.

How do I automate Linux server updates?

Automating Linux server updates involves developing systems that check for and apply updates regularly, hence improving security and performance. Most Linux distributions provide package managers such as ‘apt’ or ‘yum’ to handle program installs. By combining them with scheduling programs like ‘cron’, you can automate the update process, basically telling your server to handle updates automatically at certain intervals—a sort of self-updating function.

Automation tools such as Ansible or Puppet can be used for a more thorough and consistent approach, acting as digital caretakers to establish and easily implement update settings across numerous servers. This comprehensive technique guarantees that your Linux servers are always fully up-to-date, safe, and properly maintained, without the need for constant manual intervention.