The process of managing individual system components is referred to as configuration management. An IT system may comprise various IT assets and components. These assets may be a piece of single software or automation tools. Systematic tracking and monitoring of updates to a software configuration is called configuration management. The configuration management tools help to build stable systems. Now, these asset management software are broadly divided into two categories. Agent and Agentless configuration management software. In this article, we have covered it in detail. Let’s delve into it.

What is Agentless Configuration Management Software?

Agentless configuration management tools do not require any agent to function. They communicate and collect information using network scanning via protocols such as SSH and WinRM. They collect information leveraging the capability of network protocols and APIs. Agentless method is very feasible where there is a need for quick deployments of the tool.

Key characteristics of agent-less configuration management software include:

1. Remote Execution: They do not rely on any agent to collect the information, instead they use the existing communication channel and protocols to execute commands and apply configurations.
2. Reduced Footprint: Since there are no agents, the software is easy to deploy and manage and it is less resource-intensive.
3. Ease of Deployment: These often require less effort in deployment, setup, and configuration in the target system.
4. Scalability: Since there is no overhead of managing the agents on a large number of devices. It makes it suitable for scaling the deployment in a large number of devices.

Which Configuration Management Software is Agentless?

In this section, we will cover some popular Agentless asset management tools and their specifications and functioning.

1. Puppet Bolt

Puppet Bolt is a task automation and configuration management tool developed by Puppet. It usually works in a client-server architecture. Using Puppet Bolt, we can automate tasks such as installing packages, managing files, and running scripts. It supports various operating systems. The puppet bolt uses YAML for its inventory files and task plans.

Features:

1. Task automation and configuration management.
2. Client-server architecture.
3. Supports various operating systems.
4. Uses YAML for inventory files and task plans.

Use Cases:

1. Installing packages, managing files, running scripts.
2. Configuration management across diverse environments.

2. Ansible

It works in agentless architecture. Ansible use modules, which are reusable units of work that perform specific tasks on managed devices. It also allows users to develop custom modules and plugins to extend Ansible’s functionality. It works across a variety of operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Features:

1. Agentless architecture.
2. Uses modules for specific tasks on managed devices.
3. Custom module and plugin development.
4. Cross-platform support (Linux, macOS, Windows).

Use Cases:

1. Automation of IT tasks like configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration.
2. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) implementation.

3. SaltStack

SaltStack is a powerful and flexible configuration management system. It automates various code deployment and system admin tasks and eliminates the manual process. In this way, it can reduce errors that IT organizations face while configuring their systems. Saltstack is open-source software. It runs from the command line interface. The paid version of SaltStack provides a GUI for Windows and MacOS.

Features:

1. Powerful and flexible configuration management.
2. Automation of code deployment and system admin tasks.
3. Open-source software with a command-line interface.
4. GUI is available in the paid version for Windows and MacOS.

Use Cases:

1. Scaling and automating complex infrastructure.
2. Reducing errors in system configuration.
3. Real-time event-driven infrastructure automation.

4. CFEngine

CFEngine is a tool that is used in automating the packaging of the software. It also helps in the provisioning of the software into the organization’s operational IT environment. It comes in two versions, one is the community version and another is the enterprise version. The enterprise version has added functionalities and also provides a user-friendly GUI.

Features:

1. Automation of software packaging and provisioning.
2. Community and enterprise versions are available.
3. The enterprise version offers additional functionalities and a user-friendly GUI.

Use Cases:

1. Continuous automation of software delivery.
2. Configuration drift detection and remediation.

5. Rudder

Rudder is an open-source software oriented to configuration management and auditing to help automate system configuration in large IT infrastructures in an efficient, controlled, and safe way. It has a server-side web interface. It also has a configuration management database as well as continuous auditing capabilities.

Features:

1. Open-source software focused on configuration management and auditing.
2. Server-side web interface for configuration management.
3. Configuration management database (CMDB) and continuous auditing capabilities.

Use Cases:

1. Automating and auditing system configuration in large IT infrastructures.
2. Efficient, controlled, and safe system configuration.

Advantages of Agentless Configuration Management Software

1. Low Costs: This is by far the most important reason for considering agentless tools. If you have agents on every device, they have administrative costs. In an agentless tool, we cut this cost and hence it reduces the overall cost of operation.
2. Easy Deployment: In agent-based tools, we need to install software on every server which may take a considerable amount of time. That time is saved by using agentless tools that do not require the deployment of software on every piece of the system.
3. Improved Performance: Agentless architectures are easy to maintain and very efficient. They use less number of resources such as memory which improves performance.

Disadvantages of Agentless Configuration Management Software

1. Depends on Protocols: This method depends on the availability of standard protocols such as SSH. If the device has limited compatibility and does not support the protocols, then gathering the data would be limited.
2. Granularity is Less: This method is not good for detailed gathering of some specific type of data as it only relies on the network. Details like software usage metrics or some hardware configurations are difficult to collect.
3. Data Accuracy and Timing: This method depends on periodic scanning of the devices and collection of data. So the data collected may not always be real-time data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, agentless configuration management software provides significant advantages in terms of simplicity, resource efficiency, and security, it’s essential for organizations to carefully assess their unique requirements and the specific challenges they may face. The decision between agent-based and agentless approaches ultimately depends on network conditions, scalability needs, and the level of control required over configurations. A well-informed choice will ensure that the selected configuration management solution aligns seamlessly with the organization’s goals and infrastructure demands.