What is Agentless Configuration Management Software?

Agentless configuration management tools do not require any agent to function. They communicate and collect information using network scanning via protocols such as SSH and WinRM. They collect information leveraging the capability of network protocols and APIs. Agentless method is very feasible where there is a need for quick deployments of the tool.

Key characteristics of agent-less configuration management software include:

  1. Remote Execution: They do not rely on any agent to collect the information, instead they use the existing communication channel and protocols to execute commands and apply configurations.
  2. Reduced Footprint: Since there are no agents, the software is easy to deploy and manage and it is less resource-intensive.
  3. Ease of Deployment: These often require less effort in deployment, setup, and configuration in the target system.
  4. Scalability: Since there is no overhead of managing the agents on a large number of devices. It makes it suitable for scaling the deployment in a large number of devices.

Which Configuration Management Software is Agentless?

The process of managing individual system components is referred to as configuration management. An IT system may comprise various IT assets and components. These assets may be a piece of single software or automation tools. Systematic tracking and monitoring of updates to a software configuration is called configuration management. The configuration management tools help to build stable systems. Now, these asset management software are broadly divided into two categories. Agent and Agentless configuration management software. In this article, we have covered it in detail. Let’s delve into it.

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What is Agentless Configuration Management Software?

Agentless configuration management tools do not require any agent to function. They communicate and collect information using network scanning via protocols such as SSH and WinRM. They collect information leveraging the capability of network protocols and APIs. Agentless method is very feasible where there is a need for quick deployments of the tool....

Which Configuration Management Software is Agentless?

In this section, we will cover some popular Agentless asset management tools and their specifications and functioning....

Advantages of Agentless Configuration Management Software

Low Costs: This is by far the most important reason for considering agentless tools. If you have agents on every device, they have administrative costs. In an agentless tool, we cut this cost and hence it reduces the overall cost of operation. Easy Deployment: In agent-based tools, we need to install software on every server which may take a considerable amount of time. That time is saved by using agentless tools that do not require the deployment of software on every piece of the system. Improved Performance: Agentless architectures are easy to maintain and very efficient. They use less number of resources such as memory which improves performance....

Disadvantages of Agentless Configuration Management Software

Depends on Protocols: This method depends on the availability of standard protocols such as SSH. If the device has limited compatibility and does not support the protocols, then gathering the data would be limited. Granularity is Less: This method is not good for detailed gathering of some specific type of data as it only relies on the network. Details like software usage metrics or some hardware configurations are difficult to collect. Data Accuracy and Timing: This method depends on periodic scanning of the devices and collection of data. So the data collected may not always be real-time data....

Conclusion

In conclusion, agentless configuration management software provides significant advantages in terms of simplicity, resource efficiency, and security, it’s essential for organizations to carefully assess their unique requirements and the specific challenges they may face. The decision between agent-based and agentless approaches ultimately depends on network conditions, scalability needs, and the level of control required over configurations. A well-informed choice will ensure that the selected configuration management solution aligns seamlessly with the organization’s goals and infrastructure demands....