Centrally Manage the Server Lifecycle—From Provisioning to Patching
Provisioning
One interface for everything
Provisioning, configuration, patches, and status are all managed centrally in Foreman—rather than in separate tools.
Servers in Minutes
Automated provisioning of bare-metal servers and VMs based on a template—instead of installing each machine manually.
Patch Management
Get a centralized view of patch statuses and roll them out in waves—no more flying blind when it comes to keeping your systems up to date.
Entire Life Cycle
From initial installation through operation to controlled decommissioning—all in one place.
Foreman + Ansible
Foreman handles provisioning and the lifecycle, while Ansible handles the fine-tuning—two tools, one seamless process.
All in one place
Consulting, setup, operation (MyEngineer), and training for NETWAYS—as open-source specialists.
The Problem
Without centralized management, every server installation is a manual process, the patch status remains unclear, and the lifecycle is fragmented across separate tools.
Server installation takes days
Setting up each machine manually is slow and inconsistent—and with every new system, the process starts all over again.
No one knows the condition
Which server has which patch status and which version? Without a centralized view, it remains a mere estimate—a risk to safety.
A Lifecycle Without a Common Thread
Provisioning, patching, and decommissioning are performed using separate tools and scripts—without a comprehensive overview.
How we work with you
Four steps, identical for every NETWAYS solution—from inventory to centrally managed server lifecycle during operation.
Analysis & Concept
We assess the inventory, provisioning needs, and patch and compliance requirements, and define the lifecycle model.
→ A life cycle that fits your environment—from the first day to the last.
Setup & Integration
We are setting up Foreman as a central hub—with provisioning templates, Ansible integration, and patch workflows.
→ A user interface covering everything from installation to patching.
Commissioning & Provisioning
Go-live: New servers are automatically created based on a template, and patches are rolled out centrally and in a controlled manner.
→ Provisioning at the push of a button instead of days of manual work.
Support & Operations
We maintain and expand the playbooks and, upon request, can take over operations (MyEngineer)—or train your team.
→ The server lifecycle remains under centralized control at all times.
The Life Cycle Under Control
From deployment to configuration to decommissioning—the four stages are interlinked.
Deploy
Foreman automatically installs bare-metal servers and VMs based on templates—via PXE, images, and provisioning templates.
Result: New systems in minutes instead of hours.
Configure
Immediately after provisioning, Ansible handles the fine-tuning—packages, services, and settings.
Result: Servers ready for use without any manual follow-up work.
Patching & Updating
Patch statuses are clearly visible, and updates can be managed and rolled out in waves.
Result: up-to-date, secure systems that operate without flying blind.
Manage & Dismantle
From inventory to day-to-day operations to controlled decommissioning—everything is traceable.
Result: Every server remains in a known state until the very end.
What You’ll Achieve
Faster deployment, a complete overview, and controlled updates.
Deploy Faster
New servers are automatically provisioned in minutes rather than hours—based on a template and configured to be ready for use immediately.
A Complete Overview
An interface shows which server is in which state—including the version and patch status.
Knowledge in Code
Setups are documented and shared within the team, rather than being tied to individual people.
What is your solution built with?
Tried-and-true open-source components—run in-house or via NWS. You decide what you’ll do yourself and what NETWAYS will handle.
Foreman
Ansible
GitLab
Icinga
We’ll integrate what you’re already using with
Foreman manages the lifecycle across many platforms and operating systems. A selection of what we typically connect.
Provisioning
- PXE / Boot
- Images
- Bare Metal
- Virtual Machines
Operating Systems
- RHEL / CentOS
- Debian / Ubuntu
- SUSE
- Windows
Operations & Quality
- Icinga
- Reporting
- Compliance
- MyEngineer
Platforms & Hypervisors
- VMware
- Proxmox
- libvirt / KVM
- Cloud
Configuration & Lifecycle
- Ansible
- Foreman
- Content Views
- Patch Workflows
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions About This Solution
