Ansible is a free and user-friendly option for system admins with small or medium-sized server groups. It lets them automate chores and ensure all their servers are configured the same way.
Ansible Automation Platform goes beyond the basics. It's a full-featured solution built for big companies and complex environments. It offers features like central control, strong access management, and performance tracking, and works seamlessly with other tools. With professional support available, it's ideal for organizations that need powerful automation that can grow with them.
Below are key highlights from system admin perspective
| Feature | Ansible | Ansible Automation Platform |
| Purpose | Configuration management and automation | Comprehensive automation solution |
| Core Components | Ansible Engine | Ansible Engine, Automation Controller, Automation Hub, Automation Services Catalog, Automation Analytics |
| Installation | Simple installation on a control node | Enterprise-grade installation and deployment |
| Scalability | Suitable for small to medium environments | Designed for enterprise-level scalability |
| User Interface | Command-line interface (CLI) | Web-based user interface and dashboards |
| Content Management | Manual management of playbooks and roles | Centralized repository for certified and custom content (Automation Hub) |
| Execution | Executes playbooks on demand | Centralized execution with job templates, schedules, and workflows (Automation Controller) |
| Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) | Limited to inventory and playbook permissions | Advanced RBAC with detailed access controls and approvals |
| Analytics and Reporting | Basic logging | In-depth analytics, reporting, and insights (Automation Analytics) |
| Integrations | Limited native integrations | Extensive integrations with other enterprise tools and platforms |
| Support | Community support | Enterprise support with SLAs from Red Hat |
| Customization | Custom playbooks and modules | Customizable automation workflows and catalogs |
| Cost | Free and open-source | Subscription-based enterprise offering |
Components difference between ansible and AAP:
| Feature/Component | Ansible | Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) |
| Core Automation Engine | Ansible Engine | Ansible Engine |
| Playbooks | YAML files defining automation tasks | YAML files defining automation tasks |
| Roles | Reusable, organized sets of tasks | Reusable, organized sets of tasks |
| Modules | Individual units of work executed by Ansible | Individual units of work executed by Ansible |
| Inventories | Static and dynamic inventory files | Static and dynamic inventory files |
| Variables | Parameters to customize playbooks and roles | Parameters to customize playbooks and roles |
| Templates | Jinja2 templates for generating configuration files | Jinja2 templates for generating configuration files |
| Handlers | Tasks triggered by other tasks | Tasks triggered by other tasks |
| Facts | System information gathered automatically | System information gathered automatically |
| Command-Line Tools | Tools like ansible, ansible-playbook, ansible-vault | Tools like ansible, ansible-playbook, ansible-vault |
| Ad-Hoc Commands | Execute single tasks without writing playbooks | Execute single tasks without writing playbooks |
| Vault | Encrypt sensitive data | Encrypt sensitive data |
| Ansible Galaxy | Community repository for roles and collections | Community repository for roles and collections |
| Documentation | Extensive documentation and community resources | Extensive documentation and community resources |
| Version Control | Integration with Git | Integration with Git |
| Testing Framework | Ansible Molecule | Ansible Molecule |
| Execution Environments | N/A | Containerized Ansible runtimes ensuring consistency |
| Web-Based User Interface | N/A | Automation Controller (formerly Ansible Tower) |
| Job Scheduling | N/A | Automation Controller provides scheduling of jobs |
| Monitoring and Logging | Basic logging | Detailed logging, monitoring, and notifications via Automation Controller |
| Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) | Basic permissions via inventory and playbooks | Advanced RBAC with detailed access controls |
| Automation Analytics | N/A | In-depth analytics and reporting on automation activities |
| Content Collections | Pre-packaged collections from Ansible Galaxy | Pre-packaged collections with certified content from Automation Hub |
| Automation Hub | Community-driven role and collection repository | Centralized repository for certified and custom content |
| Automation Services Catalog | N/A | Self-service catalog for end-users to initiate automation tasks |
| Compliance and Security | Ansible Vault for encrypting sensitive data | Enhanced security features and compliance reports |
| Support | Community support | Enterprise support with SLAs from Red Hat |
| Scalability | Suitable for small to medium environments | Designed for large-scale, enterprise-level environments |
| Integrations | Limited native integrations | Extensive integrations with enterprise tools and platforms |
| Custom Workflows | N/A | Customizable workflows and job templates via Automation Controller |
| Lifecycle Management | Basic automation lifecycle capabilities | Comprehensive lifecycle management with tools for planning, deployment, and maintenance |
