DevOps tools are increasingly applied to networking, creating a NetOps approach to building and maintaining a reliable infrastructure to support the virtualized world – a network that is both available and agile. One approach to introducing NetOps into an enterprise is to layer it into an existing solution, adding functionality and flexibility to a familiar component of your infrastructure.
A Smart Out-of-Band management network already provides presence and proximity to your critical devices, and so is well-placed to bring NetOps automation to your network. The ability to run standard NetOps tools, such as Docker, Ansible, and Python on a console server provides a new way to automate your operations at centralized and remote locations.
That solution now exists, in the new Opengear OM Family of Console Servers – Network Management appliances that combine the capabilities of a Smart OOB Console Server with the flexibility of NetOps Automation. They feature an x86 CPU to power automation tools, and a TMP2.0 chip for embedded security.
The compact OM1200 appliance is designed specifically for secure edge deployments, used in combination with Lighthouse Management Software, while the OM2200 appliance is configured for data centers and high density locations.
Integrated into Opengear’s Network Resilience Platform, they provide a separate, secure management plane which supports emerging requirements in Network Management and Automation.
The Opengear NetOps Automation™ platform builds on the Lighthouse centralized management software, with containerized NetOps Modules to automate specific functions within the IT workflow.
These modules are built as Docker containers and accessed through the Lighthouse GUI, with an open API allowing third parties to also develop modules to be used in the platform. Module licenses can be purchased through your Opengear reseller or the third party module developer