Loudcloud releases Opsware Version 2 Web automation technology

by Brian Fonseca

February 26, 2001 —

LOUDCLOUD INTRODUCED A revamped version of its Opsware automation technology on Tuesday, providing users with integrated modules to address three common infrastructure snafus facing enterprises: code deployment, operational audit, and disaster recovery.

Opsware Version 2 allows subscribers of Loudcloud's infrastructure software management services to increase their Web site's performance with a unified view of their site's infrastructure and also enables the delivery of multiple device changes through a single action, according to Tim Howes, co-founder, president of product operations, and CTO at Loudcloud, in Sunnyvale, Calif. The upgrade is available today at no extra charge for customers.

"Diversity is the enemy of automation," Howes said. "As we upgrade Opsware, every customer gets that [automation and new features] benefit. They don't pay extra for it."

Opsware automation captures Internet operations "best practices" in thousands of analyzed pieces of user software to help customers deploy, manage, and deliver business processes over an Internet infrastructure. Opsware controls formerly manual tasks of an enterprise in an automated setting overseen by Loudcloud's NOC (network operation center), Howes said.

The new code deployment module of Opsware simplifies upgrade and testing implementation and offers a "roll-back" feature that allows an administrator to quickly revert back to previous versions of code if a problem is encountered. Howes said the automation feature of this module is capable of cutting code deployment time from hours to minutes.

The enhanced disaster recovery module provides the customer with the tools to automate the configuration of hardware and software and to construct an exact replica of a Web site infrastructure as a safety net should the original ever falter or be blacked out.

The operational audit module gives customers an up-to-date "snapshot" inventory of hardware, software, and configuration profile of each device within their infrastructure. Opsware's automation features keep track of any changes that may have occurred through tampering or unauthorized engineering work, Howes added.

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