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rladmin vs redisctl

A comparison guide for Redis Enterprise users familiar with rladmin.

Overview

Tool Purpose
rladmin Redis Enterprise's built-in CLI for node-local management
redisctl Remote cluster management via REST API

They're complementary tools - use both!

Quick Comparison

Feature rladmin redisctl
Deployment Pre-installed on nodes Single binary, any platform
Access Local (SSH required) Remote (REST API)
Platforms Linux only (on nodes) macOS, Windows, Linux
Output Text only JSON, YAML, Table
Scripting Text parsing required Native JSON + JMESPath
Multi-cluster One at a time Profile system

Where Each Tool Excels

rladmin

  • Local node operations
  • Works when API is down
  • Low-level node commands
  • Already installed on nodes

redisctl

  • Remote management (no SSH)
  • Structured output for automation
  • Works on developer laptops
  • Multi-cluster profile system
  • Support package automation

Example Comparison

Get Database Info

# 1. SSH to node
ssh admin@cluster-node

# 2. Get info (text output, need to parse)
rladmin info bdb 1 | grep memory | awk '{print $2}'

# From your laptop (no SSH)
redisctl enterprise database get 1 -o json -q 'memory_size'

List Databases

ssh admin@cluster-node
rladmin status databases

redisctl enterprise database list

# Or with filtering
redisctl enterprise database list -o json -q '[?status==`active`].name'

Generate Support Package

# 1. SSH to node
ssh admin@cluster-node

# 2. Generate package
rladmin cluster debug_info

# 3. Copy to local machine
scp admin@node:/tmp/debug*.tar.gz ./

# 4. Manually upload via web browser
# Total time: 10+ minutes

# One command from your laptop
redisctl enterprise support-package cluster --optimize --upload

# Total time: 30 seconds

Check Cluster Status

ssh admin@cluster-node
rladmin status

redisctl enterprise cluster get
redisctl enterprise node list

When to Use Which

Use rladmin when:

  • You're SSH'd into a cluster node
  • Need low-level node operations
  • The REST API is unavailable
  • Debugging directly on nodes
  • Performing node-specific maintenance

Use redisctl when:

  • Managing clusters remotely
  • Building CI/CD automation
  • Managing multiple clusters
  • Need structured output (JSON/YAML)
  • Generating support packages
  • Working from your laptop

Command Mapping

Task rladmin redisctl
Cluster status rladmin status redisctl enterprise cluster get
List databases rladmin status databases redisctl enterprise database list
Database info rladmin info bdb <id> redisctl enterprise database get <id>
Node status rladmin status nodes redisctl enterprise node list
Support package rladmin cluster debug_info redisctl enterprise support-package cluster

Best Practice

Use Both

  • redisctl for day-to-day operations, automation, and remote management
  • rladmin for emergency troubleshooting and node-level operations

Migration Path

If you're currently using rladmin scripts:

  1. Start by using redisctl for new automation
  2. Replace SSH + rladmin + text parsing with redisctl + JSON
  3. Keep rladmin skills for emergency troubleshooting
  4. Use redisctl profiles for multi-cluster management