It is an never ending story when we start to discuss about how should we automate the IT systems. More or less like at what level should a company put their IT security.
My opinion in system automation is simple, and with some thoughts.
0. No automation tool fit all. Sorry! A perfect automation system doesn't exist. Specially you are running legacy systems.
1. Before you start. Do a SWOT analysis. A wish list of what automation should do is not what you must have or need.
2. Evaluate automation system after your weakness. Not your wish list.
3. Think two steps ahead. First one is how will it scale up/out? Second is how can you manage it after a year or two. Like everything else, there are downsides with everything. Yes, I mean everything.
4. Do not skip security in beginning. People usually skip those and find them excuses that they will fix it later. Yes, some of them are possible, but most security flaws live forever, because it is too hard to change afterward. Just like disabling the SElinux.
5. Become master of automation, not slave of automation. Many sysadmins or manager think that technology resolve the problem. It is same as "guns don't kill people, people kill people". If you master automation tools, you can find a way to use a hammer as a screwdriver. A good one too!
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