Network discovery
Network discovery automatically detects any network connected to MAAS and adds it to a UI dashboard. Discovery runs periodically to capture any network changes. This feature, which can be toggled, helps ensure that you quickly catch every device change in your local MAAS network.
Static routes and traffic control in MAAS
MAAS can define static routes globally to avoid configuration drift, ensure consistency, and create better control over traffic flow. Static routes are particularly valuable in environments requiring specific traffic paths for security, redundancy, or performance.
Loopback interfaces in MAAS-managed environments
Loopback interfaces are necessary for BGP and FRR, but tricky to configure. MAAS provides the capability to centrally define and configure loopback interfaces, directly, ensuring consistent, correct behaviour of complex routing setups.
Bridging in MAAS: Simplified network aggregation
Bridges aggregate interface traffic at the cost of complexity. MAAS offers centralized bridge creation and management directly from the UI or CLI. MAAS bridges are automatically integrated with VLANs and bonds, making it easier to reduce redundancy and improve performance.
When to use MAAS versus manual Netplan configuration
Netplan provides a simpler way to configure bridges manually through YAML files, MAAS-managed bridges don’t require manual configuration files, reducing error and improving scalability. In some cases, though, such as integrating MAAS-managed systems into external environments, Netplan is the right answer.
Multi-NIC configurations in MAAS
MAAS manages machines with multiple NICs because it automatically detects and configures all available interfaces, making network configuration more straightforward. You can centrally define the role of each NIC centrally without manual steps.
VLANs in MAAS: Simplified network segmentation
MAAS allows you to create and manage VLANs from a single interface, enabling secure and scalable segmentation without additional infrastructure.
Gateways in MAAS: Centralized control of traffic routing
MAAS centralizes gateway configuration across all connected machines. You can modify gateway settings easily, which is especially useful in environments where gateway configurations need to be updated regularly for many machines.
DNS in MAAS: Streamlined name resolution
MAAS directly integrates DNS management, allow settings at the subnet level, reducingconfiguration drift and the all-too-common DNS errors. Whether you’re using internal DNS servers for private networks or external ones for public services, MAAS provides a more streamlined and centralized solution for DNS management.
Bonds in MAAS: Enhanced redundancy and performance
Network bonding is crucial for high-availability environments, and MAAS makes it easier to create and manage bonds across multiple interfaces. Instead of configuring bonds manually on each machine, MAAS allows you to create bonds from its UI or CLI, applying them consistently across your infrastructure. MAAS supports a range of bonding modes, such as active-backup or balance-rr, giving you flexibility based on your network’s needs. With MAAS handling bonds centrally, you can ensure that redundant interfaces are always configured properly, reducing the risk of network downtime and improving overall performance.
NTP in MAAS: Simplified time synchronization
In a MAAS-managed environment, time synchronization via NTP is centralized, making it easier to ensure that all machines have consistent and accurate time settings. While external NTP servers can be used, MAAS allows you to configure NTP settings during the deployment process, ensuring that machines automatically sync with the correct time sources. This reduces the need for manual configuration and helps avoid common issues related to time drift, which can cause problems with logging, authentication, and other time-sensitive processes. By handling NTP settings centrally, MAAS ensures that time synchronization is reliable across all managed systems.
Static IPs with Netplan and MAAS: Which to choose?
While Netplan is a powerful tool for configuring static IPs on individual machines, MAAS offers a more scalable solution by allowing administrators to define static IPs during the machine deployment process. MAAS centralizes IP management, reducing the need for manual configuration and ensuring that static IPs are applied consistently across your infrastructure. With MAAS, you can allocate static IP addresses from a pool or manually assign them during deployment, ensuring that machines receive the correct address without requiring post-deployment changes. This makes MAAS the better choice for environments where consistent IP addressing is crucial for server stability and accessibility.