System Initiative aims to rebuild DevOps from the ground up and improve collaboration, efficiency, and deployment frequency by providing an intelligent automation platform.
The system challenges the traditional idea of a single source of truth by allowing bidirectional communication between the visual diagram interface and the real-world infrastructure.
By replacing code-based infrastructure pipelines with a visual interface and real-time permissions, users can gain flexibility, efficiency, and collaboration in managing their infrastructure.
System Initiative envisions a future where infrastructure as code is fundamentally transformed, streamlining infrastructure management and enhancing the overall DevOps experience.
Deep dives
System Initiative: Rebuilding DevOps
System Initiative aims to rebuild DevOps from the ground up and improve the outcomes in terms of collaboration, efficiency, and deployment frequency. They focus on streamlining the infrastructure as code process, removing the need for infrastructure pipelines and continuous integration pipelines. Instead, they provide a visual interface, called the diagram, where users can build and connect components, such as Docker images and AWS resources, to create and modify their infrastructure. The bidirectional nature of the system allows users to start from their existing infrastructure and build a model from there, making adoption easier. Collaboration is enhanced through real-time permissions, where multiple stakeholders can join a change set and provide approval or feedback. The ambition is to transform the entire DevOps workflow, replacing traditional processes with more efficient and collaborative models. While the concepts are still being developed, the goal is to offer an alternative approach that leverages existing infrastructure while improving speed and reliability.
Challenges and Ambitions
The challenge lies in separating the traditional idea of a single source of truth from the model-based approach of System Initiative. By building a living model that can bidirectionally communicate with the real-world infrastructure, users can easily reconcile changes and ensure that the model remains up-to-date. The aim is to streamline the infrastructure pipeline by visualizing the relationships between components and allowing users to apply changes directly through the interface. Continuous integration pipelines and pull requests can become obsolete as users collaborate in real-time and provide approvals within the system. The ultimate ambition is to reimagine and significantly improve the entire DevOps workflow and replace current processes with more efficient, collaborative, and intuitive models.
Transforming the DevOps Workflow
System Initiative challenges the traditional notion of a single source of truth by allowing bidirectional flow between the visual diagram interface and the real-world infrastructure. The system leverages stored procedures and evaluations to reconcile changes, track relationships, and automate actions based on the model's state. By replacing code-based infrastructure pipelines with the diagram and real-time permissions, users gain more flexibility, efficiency, and collaboration in managing their infrastructure. Rebooting the production database or making infrastructure changes become synchronized collaborative actions, similar to submarine captains launching nukes, with multiple stakeholders providing immediate feedback and approvals. The overarching goal is to revolutionize and improve the entire DevOps workflow, making it faster, more reliable, and empowering teams to work together seamlessly.
The Future of DevOps
System Initiative envisions a future where infrastructure as code is fundamentally transformed, replacing traditional pipelines and workflows with a more intuitive, collaborative, and efficient model-based approach. By replacing code-centric processes with visual interfaces, bidirectional functionality, and real-time collaboration, users can streamline infrastructure management, improve deployment speed, and enhance the overall DevOps experience. While these concepts are aspirational and still being developed, System Initiative aims to prove that a model-based approach to DevOps can not only match but surpass traditional methods in terms of speed, flexibility, and reliability. By leveraging lessons learned from past experiences, open-source principles, and a commitment to community, System Initiative aims to lead the way in reshaping the future of DevOps.
The Vision of System Initiative
System Initiative aims to revolutionize the DevOps workflow by providing an intuitive and powerful platform that eliminates the need for writing custom Terraform providers. With a visual interface and seamless configuration updates, System Initiative offers a better alternative to existing solutions like Repo/Opa. The goal is to create a game-changing tool that streamlines the development and deployment process, enabling large enterprises to scale and innovate more effectively.
The Benefits of Open Source Software
System Initiative embraces the importance of open source software. By utilizing the Apache license, the platform offers a transparent and accessible solution for users. While the core software will be open source, customization features will enable users to package and share their own modifications. The approach also allows for managed services and SaaS offerings, providing flexibility and adaptability for users based on their specific needs.
Aiming for a Wall Moment
Adam Jacob and the System Initiative team are optimistic that their platform could be a significant turning point in the DevOps world. Focusing on a more intuitive and efficient approach, System Initiative aims to address the limitations and frustrations of current infrastructure software. While acknowledging that ambitious goals might face challenges, Adam Jacob firmly believes that either System Initiative or another innovative solution will eventually reshape the landscape of DevOps, pushing for progress and better outcomes.
This week we’re joined by Adam Jacob and we’re talking about his mission at System Initiative to rebuild DevOps. They are out of stealth mode and ready to show off their transformative new power tool that reimagines what’s possible from DevOps. It’s an intelligent automation platform that allows DevOps teams to build detailed interactive simulations of their infrastructure and use them to rapidly update their production environments.
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