* [Topics](/en/topics "Topics") * [Automation and management](/en/topics/automation "Automation and management") * What is cloud orchestration? What is cloud orchestration? ============================ Published February 20, 2023•*4*-minute read Copy URL Jump to section --------------- OverviewWhy is it necessary?Cloud automation vs. cloud orchestration BenefitsHow can Red Hat help? Overview -------- Cloud orchestration is the process of coordinating tools, applications, [application programming interfaces (APIs)](/en/topics/api/what-are-application-programming-interfaces), and [infrastructure](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-cloud-infrastructure) across private and public clouds into comprehensive workflows. Cloud orchestration platforms allow IT teams to organize the automation of [cloud management](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-cloud-management) tasks across teams and domains. By coordinating automation into workflows across [multicloud](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-multicloud) and [hybrid cloud](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-hybrid-cloud) environments, administrators can improve the efficiency and reliability of cloud computing systems, making them easier to maintain over time. This video can't play due to privacy settings To change your settings, select the "Cookie Preferences" link in the footer and opt in to "Advertising Cookies or try disabling adblockers." See how to deploy and manage your IT infrastructure across cloud environments. Video duration: 2:33 Why is cloud orchestration necessary? ------------------------------------- As [microservices](/en/topics/microservices/what-are-microservices) and [containerization](/en/topics/cloud-native-apps/what-is-containerization) continue to increase the flexibility of cloud computing, they also introduce new complexity that can be difficult to manage. Since hybrid clouds are made up of so many different parts—spread from on-premise datacenters to [edge](/en/topics/edge-computing/what-is-edge-computing) locations—organizations often find it challenging to align operations and business processes, reduce provisioning errors, and limit resource sprawl. Cloud environments now require automation to function, because the number of complex tasks involved in their upkeep would be nearly impossible to perform without it. IT teams can use automation to execute a variety of cloud management tasks, including: * [Provisioning](/en/topics/automation/what-is-provisioning) or deploying servers. * Managing [networking](/en/topics/automation/what-is-network-automation) devices, like load balancers, routers, and switches. * Assigning storage capacity. * Creating [virtual machines (VMs)](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-virtual-machine). * [Deploying](/en/topics/automation/what-is-deployment-automation) applications. Automating these processes can reduce the chance of manual errors and free up resources, giving organizations more time to innovate and deliver services to benefit their customers. However, these gains are diminished when automation processes are isolated. **Cloud orchestration aligns various implementations of automation into unified workflows.** Recommended for you Securing and automating the full infrastructure lifecycle --------------------------------------------------------- [Watch the webinar](https://www.redhat.com/en/events/webinar/securing-and-automating-the-full-infrastructure-lifecycle?percmp=RHCTG0250000455235) Cloud automation vs. cloud orchestration ---------------------------------------- The terms cloud automation and cloud orchestration are often confused—and sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably. **Cloud automation** is the automation of cloud management tasks, allowing them to operate with little-to-no human intervention. This makes processes more scalable and repeatable. Example: automating server instances to terminate when a task is completed. [Read more about cloud automation](/en/topics/automation/what-is-cloud-automation "article | what is cloud automation") **Cloud orchestration** is the coordination of multiple automated tasks into higher-order workflows, so that individual tasks can work together to serve a specific function or process. Examples: syncing OS upgrades with required load balancer updates—or coordinating the deployment of new infrastructure with associated changes to firewall rules and on-premise network routing. Cloud automation refers to the automation of specific tasks, while cloud orchestration connects multiple automated tasks to streamline IT processes. This distinction is often explained via the metaphor of a musical orchestra and its conductor: if the instances of cloud automation are individual musicians in an orchestra, then cloud orchestration is the conductor. The conductor helps each musician play their part at the appropriate time and with the right intensity, so the entire orchestra can work together as a unified whole. Just like a musician playing their part, automation can perform individual tasks just fine. But in cloud environments—with automation serving a variety of functions across an organization—orchestration is necessary to ensure that different types of automated tasks work together in service of a larger process. Cloud orchestration is a natural progression from cloud automation; if an organization automates cloud management tasks across their hybrid cloud environment, they will eventually need to combine these tasks into more efficient automation workflows. Benefits of cloud orchestration ------------------------------- Cloud orchestration makes it possible to efficiently manage the automation of workload distribution, resource allocation, and service delivery across a cloud environment. Orchestration solutions coordinate automation processes across infrastructure to create cohesive workflows—regardless of where they’re running—and ensure that all related tasks happen in the proper order. Cloud orchestration tools allow IT teams to create, update, and manage cloud resources and their software components as a single unit, and then deploy them in an automated, repeatable way, via a template. By condensing disparate automation tasks into more efficient end-to-end workflows, organizations can eliminate provisioning errors, ensure consistent communication between applications and infrastructure, and enforce [governance](/en/topics/automation/what-is-cloud-governance) policies across their hybrid cloud. Cloud management tasks can be performed by a variety of automation tools, but individual solutions lack the connection and management capabilities offered by unified automation platforms. A unified automation platform supplies a consolidated foundation that helps teams across an organization collaborate efficiently, share automation assets and best practices, and maintain consistent workflows. How can Red Hat help? --------------------- Using [Red Hat® Ansible® Automation Platform](/en/technologies/management/ansible), organizations can use a single interface to manage, track, and optimize [cloud operations](/en/topics/automation/what-is-cloudops)—including configuration management, provisioning, and application deployment—and eliminate the need to navigate between multiple domain-specific tools. Ansible Automation Platform connects existing automation, configuration, and cloud tools and processes with a human-readable, [YAML](/en/topics/automation/what-is-yaml)-based language, so that organizations can create a consistent operational framework across all cloud domains, processes, and roles, and locate automation closer to target endpoints. It also offers IT teams flexible options for [orchestrating automated tasks](/en/technologies/management/ansible/orchestration)—like connecting [Ansible Playbooks](/en/topics/automation/what-is-an-ansible-playbook) or building workflows in [automation controller](/en/technologies/management/ansible/automation-controller-product-feature). Over 135 Certified Content Collections created by Red Hat and our partners provide true interoperability and support for use cases across vendors and clouds, including [Amazon Web Services (AWS)](/en/partners/aws/red-hat-on-aws), [Google Cloud](/en/partners/google/red-hat-on-google-cloud-marketplace), [Microsoft Azure](/en/partners/microsoft/red-hat-on-azure), and more. In addition, Ansible validated content provides a trusted, expert-led approach for performing foundational operational tasks within these cloud platforms. Ansible Automation Platform provides orchestration tools to better manage several key areas of a cloud environment, including: * **Configuration.** Ansible Automation Platform offers cloud infrastructure and [configuration management](/en/topics/automation/what-is-configuration-management) that is security-focused, stable, and supported by Red Hat. * **Security.** With a curated collection of modules, roles, and playbooks, IT teams can orchestrate security systems to automatically detect, investigate, and respond to threats. * **Application deployment.** Automate application deployment, create repeatable and reliable installation and upgrade processes, and manage Day 2 operations. * **Container deployment.** Automate and manage Kubernetes or [Red Hat OpenShift®](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift) deployments and scale containerized applications with the support of [Kubernetes operators](/en/topics/containers/what-is-a-kubernetes-operator) and frameworks. An Ansible Automation Platform subscription provides open source innovation—hardened for your enterprise—with all the tools, services, training, and support you need to automate your enterprise at hybrid cloud scale. This video can't play due to privacy settings To change your settings, select the "Cookie Preferences" link in the footer and opt in to "Advertising Cookies or try disabling adblockers." Learn about the difference between certified and validated content for Ansible and what they're used for. Video duration: 1:55. [Learn more about Ansible Automation Platform](/en/technologies/management/ansible "product | red hat ansible") Recommended for you E-book Selecting the optimal technology for digital transformation ----------------------------------------------------------- Find out more about selecting the optimal technology platform for digital transformation. [Read the e-book](https://www.redhat.com/en/resources/optimal-technology-for-digital-transformation-ebook?percmp=RHCTG0250000455234) Recommended for you Enterprise Kubernetes Storage with Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation -------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn the essential skills required to design, implement, and manage a Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation cluster and perform day-to-day Kubernetes storage management tasks [View course](https://www.redhat.com/en/services/training/do370-enterprise-kubernetes-storage-with-red-hat-openshift-data-foundation?percmp=RHCTG0250000455236) Keep reading ------------ ### What is IT service management (ITSM)? IT service management (ITSM) refers to the activities IT teams perform to ensure that IT services meet customer needs and contribute to business goals. [Read the article](/en/topics/automation/what-is-it-service-management-itsm "article | what is IT service management (ITSM)?") ### What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC)? Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the managing and provisioning of infrastructure through code instead of through manual processes. [Read the article](/en/topics/automation/what-is-infrastructure-as-code-iac "article | What is Infrastructure as Code?") ### What is a configuration management database (CMDB)? A configuration management database (CMDB) is used to manage information about IT components, including their attributes and relationships between them. [Read the article](/en/topics/automation/what-is-a-configuration-management-database-cmdb "article | what is a configuration management database (CMDB)?") 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