Automating HPE Full Stack Deployment with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform: From Firmware Configuration to Running SAP Installation

Introduction:

Deploying a full stack solution involves multiple complex steps, from configuring firmware settings to setting up virtual machines and deploying applications. Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) provides a powerful solution for automating these processes, streamlining the deployment of HPE infrastructure and applications like SAP. In this blog, we will explore how AAP enables seamless push-button deployment of a physical HANA server with a virtual machine hosting the S4HANA service. We will see how automation can configure HPE hardware using HPE OneView, deploy a Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) instance, and ensure compliance with SAP requirements. Ultimately, we will witness the successful deployment of the HPE Full Stack solution, showcasing the power of automation in enterprise deployments.

The Power of Ansible Automation Platform:

In today’s complex IT environments, automating deployment processes is essential for efficiency and scalability. Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) simplifies and accelerates the deployment process by automating tasks across the infrastructure stack. It provides a comprehensive platform that enables organizations to orchestrate and manage their IT environment efficiently, from hardware configuration to application deployment. With AAP, complex deployments that involve multiple systems and components can be streamlined, reducing manual effort and minimizing the risk of errors.

Configuring HPE Hardware with HPE OneView:

HPE OneView is a unified infrastructure automation engine that simplifies the management of HPE hardware components. By leveraging AAP’s integration with HPE OneView, we can automate the configuration of HPE hardware for our full stack deployment. This includes setting up firmware, network configurations, storage settings, and other parameters necessary for the successful deployment of the HANA server. With AAP and HPE OneView, the configuration of HPE hardware becomes an automated and repeatable process, ensuring consistency and reducing the chance of configuration errors.

Deploying a RHEL Instance:

Once the HPE hardware is properly configured, AAP takes over the deployment of a RHEL instance. RHEL is a reliable and secure operating system that provides a solid foundation for running enterprise applications like SAP. AAP leverages its extensive library of pre-built Ansible modules to automate the provisioning and configuration of the RHEL instance. This automation ensures consistency in the deployment process and adherence to best practices, resulting in a reliable and optimized RHEL instance ready for the next steps of the full stack deployment.

Ensuring SAP Requirements Compliance:

SAP applications have specific requirements and configurations that must be met for optimal performance and compatibility. AAP helps ensure compliance with SAP requirements by automating the necessary steps. This includes updating the systems to supported versions, changing system parameters, and applying necessary patches and configurations. By automating these tasks, AAP guarantees that the deployed stack meets SAP’s recommendations and provides a stable and reliable environment for running SAP applications.

Deploying HANA and S4HANA:

With the underlying infrastructure and RHEL instance in place, AAP orchestrates the deployment of the HANA database and the S4HANA service. Leveraging Ansible playbooks, AAP automates the installation, configuration, and optimization of the HANA database, ensuring its seamless integration with the RHEL instance. Similarly, AAP automates the deployment of the S4HANA service, ensuring the correct configuration and connectivity between the HANA database and the application layer. By automating these complex deployment tasks, AAP eliminates manual errors, reduces deployment time, and provides a repeatable and reliable process for deploying HANA and S4HANA.

Conclusion:

Automating the deployment of a full stack solution, from firmware configuration to a running SAP installation, is a complex task that requires careful coordination and management. Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, integrated with HPE OneView, enables organizations to streamline this process, ensuring consistent and reliable deployments of HPE hardware and SAP applications. By leveraging the power of automation, organizations can reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and accelerate the time-to-value for their full stack deployments. With AAP, the push-button deployment of the HPE Full Stack solution becomes a reality, empowering organizations to achieve greater efficiency, scalability, and agility in their enterprise deployments.

References:

[1] Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. Retrieved from https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/management/ansible

[2] HPE OneView. Retrieved from https://www.hpe.com/us/en/integrated-systems/software.html

[3] Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Retrieved from https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux

[4] SAP. Retrieved from https://www.sap.com/

[5] Ansible Documentation. Retrieved from https://docs.ansible.com/

About the Author:

Emmanuel Odenyire Anyira is a Senior Data Analytics Engineer at Safaricom PLC. With extensive experience in designing and building data collection systems, processing pipelines, and reporting tools, Emmanuel has established himself as a thought leader in the field of data analytics and infrastructure management. He possesses expertise in various technologies, including Apache NiFi, Informatica PowerCenter, Tableau, and multiple programming languages. Emmanuel’s passion for automation and optimizing workflows has driven him to share his insights and expertise through writing and speaking engagements.