Ansible AWX vs. Ansible Tower: Unraveling the Differences

In the realm of automation and orchestration tools, Ansible stands tall as a powerful and widely adopted solution. Within the Ansible ecosystem, two key players, Ansible AWX and Ansible Tower, often find themselves in the spotlight. In this article, we'll embark on a journey to explore the distinctions between Ansible AWX and Ansible Tower, shedding light on their features, use cases, and which might be the better fit for your automation needs.

Ansible AWX: Open Source Prowess

Ansible AWX, an open-source project, serves as the upstream version of Ansible Tower. This implies that AWX is freely available for users who prefer the flexibility of open-source software. Let's delve into some key aspects:

Installation:

To install Ansible AWX, you can utilize Docker Compose. Execute the following commands in your terminal:

$ git clone https://github.com/ansible/awx.git
$ cd awx/installer
$ ansible-playbook -i inventory install.yml

This will set up AWX on your system, ready for configuration.

Customization:

One of the significant advantages of Ansible AWX lies in its customizability. Users have the freedom to tweak the source code and adapt it to their specific requirements.

Community Support:

Being an open-source project, Ansible AWX benefits from a vibrant community. Users can tap into forums, discussions, and community-driven content for problem-solving and knowledge sharing.

Ansible Tower: Enterprise-Grade Automation

On the other side of the spectrum, Ansible Tower is the commercial offering from Red Hat, built on the foundation of Ansible AWX. Let's explore the distinctive features that set Ansible Tower apart:

Installation:

Installing Ansible Tower involves obtaining a license from Red Hat. Once you have the license, the installation process is straightforward. Here's a glimpse:

$ tar xvzf ansible-tower-setup-latest.tar.gz
$ cd ansible-tower-setup-*
$ ./setup.sh

This will guide you through the setup process, ensuring a smooth installation.

Enterprise Support:

Ansible Tower boasts comprehensive support from Red Hat, making it an ideal choice for enterprises with mission-critical automation needs. This support includes assistance with troubleshooting, updates, and maintenance.

Advanced Features:

Ansible Tower comes equipped with advanced features like role-based access control (RBAC), job scheduling, and integration with third-party tools. These features cater to the demands of large-scale automation environments.

Choosing the Right Fit

In the Ansible AWX vs. Ansible Tower debate, the choice ultimately depends on your organization's requirements and preferences. If you value open-source flexibility and community collaboration, Ansible AWX might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you seek enterprise-grade support and advanced features, Ansible Tower emerges as a compelling option.