Astra Configuration Manager (ACM)

Main article: IT Service Management (ITSM)

2025: Astra Configuration Manager 1.2.0

On January 15, 2025, Astra Group announced the update of Astra Configuration Manager (AFM) - a tool for centralized IT infrastructure administration - to version 1.2.0. It is now easier to manage client computers by implementing dynamic collections that automatically add and remove devices based on rules created. Also in this release there is support for computers clients with OCAstra Linux 1.8.1 and support for ACM management servers on Astra Linux 1.7.6.

𝓲

Фото: "Astra Group"

According to the company, AFM 1.2.0 includes many useful changes: for example, now you can install software packages or perform a minor OS update on devices that are part of the dynamic collection (analogue System Center Configuration Manager dynamic collection). In addition, the software installation process itself has become more transparent: now the user can see the results of the software management profile execution directly on the ACM management portal.

Based on the practical experience of the product implementation, the mechanism for deploying and updating ACM components for typical configurations is automated, which has improved the reliability of installation and operation of the system as a whole.

In addition, when you upgrade from ACM version 1.1.0 to version 1.2.0, ACM agents began to update automatically without the participation of administrators. This optimizes support for ACM client relevance across all devices. By implementing unique computer record identifiers, you can connect devices with the same network names to the ACM system.

In terms of repository management, the following improvements have been made to increase the flexibility of administration:

• Added the ability to create, publish repositories on the ACM management portal
• Support for software package repositories with multiple distributions
• It is possible to manage the composition of repository packages from the ACM management portal.

Changes were also made to the role model as the functionality was introduced: increased access control to profile management Minor OS updates, dynamic collections, and repositories. Information security is one of the key priorities in the development of Astra Group products. The latest updates provide compatibility with current versions of technology stack components and operating systems. Thus, version 1.2.0 implements support for Astra Linux version 1.7.6 for the server side and support for Astra Linux 1.8.1 for the client.

In addition to improvements affecting the functionality, the "Help Center" built into the system has been updated and significantly updated guidelines and instructions for its use. In the future release of ACM 1.3.0, it is planned to:

• focus on a centralized update from Astra Linux 1.7 to Astra Linux 1.8;
• implement support for Astra Linux version 1.8. for the AFM server part;
• Integrate with ALD Pro to import the organizational structure
• enable remote execution of user-specified bash commands on managed devices;
• Implement a mechanism to compare inventory data for different periods
• Realize the ability to obtain task status on managed devices.

After the release of ACM 1.1.0 in August 2024 in the next months, we focused on installing and updating Astra Linux 1.8, creating dynamic collections and administering them, as well as expanding the functionality of managing software repositories. Now we can say that changes in version 1.2.0 take the ACM product to the next level of maturity. commented Evgeny Pautov, Director of Server Software Development, Astra Group

2024

Astra Configuration Manager 1.1.0 with Repository Management Service for Complete Software Control

Astra Group released Astra Configuration Manager (ACM) 1.1.0, expanding the core functionality. The updated version helps improve the efficiency of IT infrastructure administrators by automating management processes and performing routine operations. The developer announced this on September 18, 2024.

In May 2024, the first release of the product was released, and in August its updates became available to users. In the hardware inventory module, it became possible to use pre-installed discovery rules, add information about the full version of OCAstra Linux and upload reports on the number of its licenses.

In terms of software management, the configuration and purpose of software management profiles have been updated - determining access to control profiles and its control; improved the repository management service for full control over software (added central repositories and segment repositories, the ability to assign access rights to users to repositories and work with them), support for software installation management from packages: installation, update and removal of programs, centralized software installation according to settings in management profiles.

Thanks to AFM 1.1.0, IT administrators can delete computer records from the management portal with any agent status (active computers), use enhancements in the graphical interface: tooltips for output fields and blocked control buttons, search for objects in lists, accurate navigation. Such transformations help to work with the system as conveniently and quickly as possible.

In the next product release - ACM 1.2.0 - it is planned to focus on installing and updating Astra Linux 1.8 OS, creating dynamic collections and administering them, as well as expanding the functionality of managing software repositories.

The use of reliable and high-quality software is the key to the successful construction of an IT infrastructure in an organization of any scale. Our task is to provide the market with products that allow system administrators to efficiently and comfortably do their job. Astra Configuration Manager is one such solution. With its help, administrators can inventory the fleet of computers in the IT infrastructure based on inventory data to form reports, as well as centrally manage the installation and update of the OS and software, which will significantly reduce the labor costs of these operations, "said Evgeny Pautov, director of server solutions development at Astra Group.

Astra Configuration Manager View

Astra Group"" introduced the product - Astra Configuration Manager. The solution is designed for inventory software and hardware at workplaces and, servers remote installation and update management OS and other, ON as well as remote administration. This was announced computersAstra Group by "" on May 14, 2024.

The technology stack, consisting of ALD Pro and AFM, is the starting point for working with the Linux infrastructure, and the further use of these products in one bundle can close up to 90% of the tasks of system administrators.

ACM is a tool for centralized administration of Astra Linux-based IT systems, desktop inventory, servers, and reporting that optimizes total cost of ownership. Automate management processes, application deployments, OS updates, and other software to keep administrators productive and efficient, and reduce the cost of routine operations.

The decision is registered Rospatent in and. Register of Russian Software"" Ministry of Digital Development Russia The use of ACM instead Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager allows you to successfully administer the - IT landschaft based on Astra Linux and at the same time reduces the degree of dependence of the infrastructure on foreign technologies.

ACM is suitable for specialists with different experience and qualifications. The product interface is simple and intuitive, you don't need to be an expert in Linux and be able to write scripts to work with it. For more advanced users, there is additional functionality: the ability to use the API for integration. In addition, ACM will be fully compatible with the entire Astra Group ecosystem.

At the end of April 2024, the release of ACM 1.0.0 with a set of basic functionality for inventory of software and hardware characteristics, as well as Astra Linux licenses, uploading data to CSV reports and installing Astra Linux 1.7 on bare metal became available. In the future, support will appear for managing the installation of software from packages, installing, updating and reinstalling Astra Linux 1.8. ACM will be licensed by management servers and connected workstations. Licenses for 1, 2 and 3 years will be available for purchase.

To build an import-independent Linux-based IT infrastructure from the ground up, solutions are needed to comprehensively close administrator tasks, such as deploying a directory service, installing and configuring operating systems, application services, and more. The ALD Pro and AFM technology stack is just the two solutions that start working with the Linux infrastructure. Using Astra Configuration Manager will allow you to close tasks in terms of inventory: Track where and what software and equipment is installed, what the infrastructure looks like in general in terms of the number of workstations and their characteristics, manage their parameters, remotely install and update software, as well as upload inventory results to various reports, samples, etc., - said Yevgeny Pautov, director of the Astra Group management tools development department.