Introduction
Advanced nuclear technology — particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and next-gen fission designs — is experiencing a renaissance driven by AI data center power demands and decarbonization goals. These facilities require rigorous IT infrastructure: safety monitoring systems, regulatory compliance automation, air-gapped network management, and multi-site coordination. Ansible automates the non-reactor IT/OT infrastructure surrounding nuclear operations.
Nuclear IT Infrastructure Stack
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Nuclear Facility IT/OT Infrastructure │
│ │
│ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌───────────────┐ │
│ │ Safety │ │ SCADA/ │ │ Regulatory │ │
│ │Monitoring│ │ DCS │ │ Compliance │ │
│ │ Systems │ │ Network │ │ │ │
│ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └───────────────┘ │
│ │
│ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌───────────────┐ │
│ │ Physical │ │ Data │ │ Emergency │ │
│ │ Security │ │ Historian│ │ Response │ │
│ │ (PACS) │ │ │ │ │ │
│ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └───────────────┘ │
│ │
│ ════════════════════════════════════════════════ │
│ Air Gap / Data Diode │
│ ════════════════════════════════════════════════ │
│ │
│ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌───────────────┐ │
│ │ Business │ │ Remote │ │ Regulatory │ │
│ │ Network │ │ Monitor │ │ Reporting │ │
│ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └───────────────┘ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Safety Monitoring Infrastructure
# safety-monitoring.yml
---
- name: Deploy nuclear safety monitoring infrastructure
hosts: safety_systems
become: true
vars:
facility_type: "smr"
safety_class: "1E" # Nuclear safety classification
redundancy: "triple" # TMR (Triple Modular Redundancy)
tasks:
- name: Configure safety monitoring endpoints
ansible.builtin.template:
src: safety-monitoring.yml.j2
dest: /opt/safety/monitoring-config.yml
vars:
monitoring:
parameters:
- name: reactor_coolant_temperature
unit: celsius
normal_range: [280, 320]
warning_threshold: 330
critical_threshold: 350
sample_rate_hz: 10
- name: neutron_flux
unit: "n/cm2/s"
normal_range: [1e12, 5e13]
warning_threshold: 7e13
critical_threshold: 1e14
sample_rate_hz: 100
- name: containment_pressure
unit: kpa
normal_range: [95, 110]
warning_threshold: 130
critical_threshold: 150
sample_rate_hz: 5
- name: radiation_dose_rate
unit: "uSv/h"
zones:
controlled_area: { warning: 25, critical: 100 }
supervised_area: { warning: 7.5, critical: 25 }
public_area: { warning: 0.5, critical: 1.0 }
alerting:
channels:
- control_room_panel
- shift_supervisor_pager
- emergency_notification_system
escalation_time_seconds: 30
automatic_scram_on_critical: true
- name: Deploy data historian for safety records
ansible.builtin.template:
src: historian-config.yml.j2
dest: /opt/safety/historian.yml
vars:
historian:
retention: "permanent" # NRC requires permanent records
storage: "redundant_raid10"
write_ahead_log: true
tamper_proof: true
backup_schedule: "hourly"
offsite_backup: true
Air-Gapped Network Management
# airgap-network.yml
---
- name: Configure air-gapped nuclear OT network
hosts: network_infrastructure
become: true
tasks:
- name: Enforce network segmentation
ansible.builtin.template:
src: network-zones.yml.j2
dest: /opt/network/zone-config.yml
vars:
zones:
safety_zone:
classification: "1E"
connectivity: "isolated"
allowed_protocols: ["modbus_tcp", "opc_ua"]
internet_access: false
usb_policy: "disabled"
wireless: "prohibited"
control_zone:
classification: "non-1E"
connectivity: "data_diode_to_business"
allowed_protocols: ["opc_ua", "mqtt", "https"]
internet_access: false
usb_policy: "authorized_only"
business_zone:
classification: "standard"
connectivity: "internet_filtered"
allowed_protocols: ["https", "ssh", "smtp"]
internet_access: true
- name: Configure data diode (one-way transfer)
ansible.builtin.template:
src: data-diode.yml.j2
dest: /opt/network/data-diode.yml
vars:
diode_config:
direction: "ot_to_it" # One-way: OT → IT only
transfer_types:
- safety_parameters
- operational_metrics
- compliance_logs
blocked:
- commands
- configuration_changes
- firmware_updates
validation:
schema_check: true
size_limit_mb: 10
rate_limit_per_minute: 100
- name: Deploy secure update mechanism
ansible.builtin.template:
src: update-procedure.yml.j2
dest: /opt/security/update-procedure.yml
vars:
update_process:
# Nuclear facilities require offline, verified updates
steps:
- download_to_isolated_workstation
- verify_digital_signatures
- scan_for_malware_offline
- review_change_advisory_board
- nrc_notification_if_required
- apply_during_maintenance_window
- verify_system_functionality
- document_in_change_log
approval_required:
safety_systems: "nrc_review"
control_systems: "plant_manager"
business_systems: "it_manager"
Regulatory Compliance Automation
# compliance.yml
---
- name: Automate NRC regulatory compliance
hosts: compliance_servers
become: true
tasks:
- name: Deploy compliance reporting engine
ansible.builtin.template:
src: compliance-config.yml.j2
dest: /opt/compliance/config.yml
vars:
regulations:
nrc_10cfr50:
description: "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities"
requirements:
- tech_spec_surveillance
- safety_system_testing
- radiation_monitoring
- emergency_preparedness
reporting: "quarterly"
nrc_10cfr73:
description: "Physical Protection of Plants and Materials"
requirements:
- cyber_security_plan
- access_authorization
- intrusion_detection
- incident_reporting
reporting: "annual"
nrc_reg_guide_571:
description: "Cyber Security Programs"
requirements:
- network_segmentation_verification
- access_control_audit
- vulnerability_assessment
- incident_response_testing
reporting: "biannual"
- name: Schedule automated compliance checks
ansible.builtin.cron:
name: "NRC compliance check - {{ item.name }}"
special_time: "{{ item.schedule }}"
job: "/opt/compliance/run-check.sh {{ item.name }} >> /var/log/compliance/{{ item.name }}.log 2>&1"
loop:
- { name: "radiation_monitoring", schedule: "hourly" }
- { name: "access_control_audit", schedule: "daily" }
- { name: "network_segmentation", schedule: "weekly" }
- { name: "full_compliance_report", schedule: "monthly" }
- name: Deploy automated NRC report generation
ansible.builtin.template:
src: nrc-reports.yml.j2
dest: /opt/compliance/report-templates.yml
vars:
reports:
- type: "licensee_event_report"
trigger: "safety_system_actuation"
deadline_hours: 24
format: "nrc_ler_form"
- type: "annual_environmental_report"
schedule: "yearly"
data_sources:
- radiation_monitoring
- effluent_monitoring
- meteorological_data
Multi-Site Fleet Management
# fleet-management.yml
---
- name: Manage multi-site SMR fleet
hosts: all_reactor_sites
become: true
tasks:
- name: Deploy fleet-wide configuration baseline
ansible.builtin.template:
src: fleet-baseline.yml.j2
dest: /opt/fleet/baseline.yml
vars:
fleet:
sites:
- name: "site_alpha"
reactor_type: "BWRX-300"
units: 2
status: "operational"
- name: "site_beta"
reactor_type: "NuScale_VOYGR"
units: 6
status: "commissioning"
- name: "site_gamma"
reactor_type: "Xe-100"
units: 4
status: "construction"
common_policies:
patch_cycle: "quarterly"
backup_frequency: "hourly"
compliance_standard: "nrc_10cfr73"
incident_reporting: "centralized"
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Conclusion
Nuclear technology infrastructure demands the highest standards of safety, security, and compliance. Ansible automates the IT/OT infrastructure surrounding nuclear operations: safety monitoring systems with triple redundancy, air-gapped network management with data diodes, NRC regulatory compliance automation, and multi-site SMR fleet management. The key principle is defense in depth — Ansible enforces network segmentation, automates compliance verification, and maintains permanent audit trails required by nuclear regulators. As SMRs proliferate to power AI data centers and decarbonize energy grids, standardized, automated infrastructure management becomes essential.