Getting Control Over Configuration Drift

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• Security

• Compliance

• Performance

• Availability

• Failed Deployments

• Labor cost of manual management

Configuration Drift Challenges

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Most IT organizations are now using scripts or purpose-built automation tools

to manage configurations

Theory vs. Reality

• Using scripts or automation shouldreduce drift Automatically revert settings and files back to

the approved state when scripts or automations run

• In practice, it’s not possible to keep configurations 100% consistent relying on scripts or automations alone Takes significant time to write, test, and

maintain scripts or automations (it’s not feasible to do this for every element you want to manage)

Each new element managed has interactions and dependencies with other components (which the administrator may or may not be aware of)

Automation tools work explicitly – you have to specific every item you DON’T want on your infrastructure too (an infinite list)

Adding in the application layer introduces even more dependencies

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The work involved to achieve a fully scripted or automated ‘configuration

nirvana’ grows exponentially and becomes unattainable.

Drift Happens. Take Control.

Leverage script and automation information to provide an accurate view of the current state of configurations

Compare the current state of configurations against what’s expected, then take action to resolve any issues

Ensure everyone knows about the scripts, automations, and people who might make configuration changes

Enable you to broadcast upcoming configuration changes so stakeholders can react as necessary

Make sure everyone understands the impact to policies for elements that have drifted (or may drift)

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ITinvolve also facilitates capturing and proactively communicating out-of-band changes through our unique social collaboration capabilities – helping you identify and approve exceptions or restore configurations to their approved state.

Find and Fix Drift Without Creating New Issues

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Find and Fix Drift Without Creating New Issues

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Gain Control Over Drift

① Automations – fully manage your automations including what they are intended to do, where they should be run and when

② Capacity and Performance – maintain approved configurations to meet capacity requirements and maximize performance

③ Compliance – ensure regulations are adhered to all the way down to individual configuration settings and files

④ Environment Synchronization – align pre-production and production settings to improve testing quality and deliver smooth application releases

⑤ Policies and Standards – ensure internal policies and standards are adhered to

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