Top 5 configuration management tools

If you think you can manage your IT infrastructure without configuration management tools, you are mistaken. When it comes to adequate management and monitoring of all your applications, there is an avid need for these tools that would make things more organized and more comfortable.

With the advancement in technology, everything is becoming way more complicated than it was before. To help with all the management to secure, control, and monitor your data, the techniques and processes of these tools will come in handy. 

What are configuration management tools? 

To begin with, with the availability of configuration management tools identifying baselines and configuration items becomes more accurate. It also provides high control over the whole IT infrastructure through which changes can be made at all times without much trouble.

Furthermore, the level of reporting concerning any development process is high. All the operations are recorded and published at the earliest. To process the management, this system is worth it as it makes sure the development process of the organization is adhered to. It provides a full track of the builds and all the tools and techniques that are used to provide adequate management. 

Here is a list of the top 5 configuration management tools

1. CFEngine Configuration Tool

 Developed by Mark Burgess, CFEngine Configuration Tool provides useful tasks that help in the configuration and management of large computer systems. It allows control in several areas such as users, mobile devices, servers, embossed networked devices, patch management, process management, and task management.

Pros

  • The best thing about CFEngine Configuration Tool is that it is easily available, and the resources are not very costly.
  • It provides high security and ensures maximum scalability.

Cons

The configuration might be a little hard, especially for newbies, but once you get the hang of it, it is alright.

2. Puppet Configuration Tool

 Another open-source software is Pupped Configuration Tool that attains its spot in the top five. If you are looking for the ideal software to manage multiple servers and provide adequate deploying, there is no software better than this. It develops Configuration Management in DevOps and allows event inspection. Other standard features include automated provision and orchestration. 

Pros

  • Open-source 
  • The programming language is easy to understand
  • Fast reporting

 Cons

  • Takes time to understand the initial code
  • Failure to provide instant error messaging
  • There is no revert system

3. CHEF Configuration Tool

This is an automation server that helps manage and configure IT infrastructure in the best ways possible. You need to know DSL and Ruby to run the configurations. It is another open-source software that has the availability of enterprise. 

 Pros

  • It supports several platforms like Ubuntu and Microsoft Windows which ensures that it is not restricted to anything in particular 
  • The community service is accommodating 
  • Cloud adoption is pretty easy with this software 
  • It can detect all sorts of bugs in the earlier and sends notifications so that action could be taken by the management as soon as possible. 
  • The intensity of risk management is reduced

Cons

  • It is dependent on Ruby 
  • The codebases get pretty complicated and huge 
  • Unavailability of push functionality 

4. Ansible Configuration Tool

Ansible Configuration software is a push-based software that develops tools list. It can provide several features such as automation engine, deployment, and orchestration. To ensure maximum connectivity with Ansible Configuration Tool SSH, remote APIs and PowerShell can be used. For secure connections, SSH is used. The best thing to note about this software is that it requires minimum learning. 

 Pros

  • It can be installed without the help of an external agent 
  • Allows maximum changes to be made by the management as the infrastructure is push-bases
  • Interoperability is high
  • Idempotent 
  • The structure is crystal clear which allows easy management and quick additions and subtractions

Cons

  • If you are looking for software that works on other programming languages, ansible is not the best option 
  • Documentation of DSL requires constant work and learning 
  • Variable registration is needed which adds additional work to carry out simple tasks 
  • The development testing is poor
  • Poor introspection

5. SALSTACK Configuration Tool

This is a configuration tool that works on Python language when it comes to programming. It develops tools list that provides a master setup for clients. Moreover, the model also has an option not to be centralized. For fast communication between clients and the management, SSH and push methods are used effectively. 

Through this software, a grouping of clients can be done through simple clicks. This way, users have better control and grip of the environment. The best thing about Salstack is that it has multiple providers of cloud, so you have control over several assets under one umbrella. 

Pros

  • After getting the hang of it, the usage is pretty easy as compared to other management development tools 
  • There is no need for states and logic as it works in DSL 
  • The input and output are quite stable 
  • It works on the principle of YAML which makes everything consistent 
  • Effective introspection 

Cons

  • The initial installation process requires a lot of time and attention 
  • Lack of support for non-Linux Oss

To select the perfect configuration management tool, it is essential to carry out some useful research to identify which will go best with your company. Every management tool has its positive features, which is why you need to highlight what you are looking for so that you can make the wisest decision. 

Organizations that are small in scale, always look for the ones that are open-source and do not require immediate or high dependence of a large pool of finances and employees. 

However, industries that are larger in scale and competency, always look forward to adopting tools that have robust features. They want maximum security and support, which is why they prefer giant engines that provide maximum reliability and robustness. 

More features can be unlocked through the enterprise version. Additional features include idempotent, granularity, and interoperability.