Exastro IT Automation
Case

Exastro IT Automation Case

Work automation of large-scale carrier system
using configuration management.

Function
  • SCM configuration management
  • Parameter sheet
  • Automation software Association
  • Data portability
  • Active Directory Association
  • Single Sign-On(OAuth2)
  • File management
Association
  • AnsibleTower/Engine
  • AnsiblePioneer module
  • Terraform
  • Cobbler
  • Git

Case overview

Task

The system parameters cannot be managed in a chronological order. In addition, Playbook are not componentized, thus automation/efficiency of the work in construction and operation not realized.

Introduction of IT Automation

Solution

Using the function of Exastro IT Automation

  • Configuration management of system parameters
  • Component management of Ansible Playbook

By connecting the phases of design, construction, and operation, automation of work is realized.

Overview

Effects after introduction

Effects

Example 1: Used in monitoring setup operation
75% reduction
Before configuration management / automation

Workload of 4 billion yen is carried out per year.

After configuration management / automation

Can now be implemented in a workload of 1 billion yen per year. (75% reduction)

Example 2: Used in command list maintenance operation
80% reduction
Before configuration management / automation

Workload of 40 million yen is carried out per year.

After configuration management / automation

Can now be implemented in a workload of 8 million working load per year. (80% reduction)
The convenience was also improved by the immediate reflection because the lead time until the maintenance is no longer required.

Setting up tens of thousands
network devices via console server

Function
  • SCM configuration management
  • Parameter sheet
  • Automation software association
  • Data portability
  • ActiveDirectory association
  • Single Sign-On(OAuth2)
  • File management
Association
  • AnsibleTower/Engine
  • AnsiblePioneer module
  • Terraform
  • Cobbler
  • Git

Case overview

Task

Initial configuration is required to perform on a large amount of network devices. Howerver, manual operation via serial console requires much workload, also there is limit to manage large amount of configuration value by using spreadsheet software.

Introduction of IT Automation

Solution

By aggregating serial console with SmartCS, configuring multiple devices simultaneously via SSH becomes possible. Furthermore, by calling Ansible and central managing a large amount of configuration value with Exastro IT Automation, automating the initial configuration of network devices also becomes possible.

Overview

Effects after introduction

Effects

Automated initial configuration of 6 types of network devices such as switch, etc., achieving release of 2,000 devices per month.

Introduction of related device

MakerSeiko Solutions Inc.
Device nameSmartCS
Document"Automating IT and Network without failure" starting with Ansible
(COMPUS2019 Presentation document from Red Hat, Inc.)

Utilizing system configuration system to
predict the impact of service due to device shut down

Function
  • SCM configuration management
  • Parameter sheet
  • Automation software association
  • Data portability
  • ActiveDirectory association
  • Single Sign-On(OAuth2)
  • File management
Association
  • AnsibleTower/Engine
  • AnsiblePioneer module
  • Terraform
  • Cobbler
  • Git

Case overview

Task

In large-scaled carrier systems, analyzing the impact to service due to planned or accident device shut-down require much workload.

Introduction of IT Automation

Solution

By managing the system configuration using the function of Exastro IT Automation, automatically predicting the service impact due to device shut-down becomes possible.

Overview *Impact prediction is custom developed by using the screen framework provided by ITA.

Effects after introduction

Effects

About 800 thousand yen of workload/cost is required for performing anaysis one time, the workload are not required anymore by this method. Since analysis is conducted about 120 times per year, the effect of reducing about 94 million yen / year is confirmed.

Introduction of related device

How corporation`s operation division controlls
each division`s AWS system

Function
  • SCM configuration management
  • Parameter sheet
  • Automation software association
  • Data portability
  • ActiveDirectory association
  • Single Sign-On(OAuth2)
  • File management
Association
  • AnsibleTower/Engine
  • AnsiblePioneer module
  • Terraform
  • Cobbler
  • Git

Case overview

Task

Each division have created their own AWS system. However, the construction of the environment is all over the place and it took many man-hours to build.

Introduction of IT Automation

Solution

By managing "CloudFormation Templates" in Exastro IT Automation, it is possible to put out a governance efficient AWS environment to each division.

Further

It is now possible to respond to operation scenarios, such as using a patch on an operating EC2(auto-scale) in emergency situations.

Effects

Effects

When we constructed a system to AWS, about 35 million yen was needed for between the requirement definition and the release work.
However, by introducing "Cloud System Template", we were able to contain the costs to about 10 million yen.
As a result, we were able to cut down the SI costs by about 70%.

Page Top