Ansible is an open-source automation tool that simplifies the management of IT infrastructure by automating repetitive tasks, deploying applications, and managing configurations. It uses a simple, human-readable language called YAML for defining automation workflows.
To install Ansible, you can use package managers like apt for Debian-based systems or yum for Red Hat-based systems. For example:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ansible -y
Or for Red Hat-based systems:
sudo yum install epel-release -y
sudo yum install ansible -y
The inventory file defines the hosts and groups of hosts that Ansible will manage. A simple inventory file might look like this:
[webservers]
web1.example.com
web2.example.com
[dbservers]
db1.example.com
The configuration file (ansible.cfg) allows you to customize various settings for Ansible, such as the inventory path and logging options.
Ansible modules are the units of work that Ansible performs. They can be used to manage files, packages, services, and more. Some commonly used modules include:
command: Executes commands on remote nodes.copy: Copies files to remote locations.file: Manages file properties.service: Manages services.Playbooks are YAML files that define a series of tasks to be executed. A simple playbook might look like this:
---
- name: Ensure Apache is installed and running
hosts: webservers
tasks:
- name: Install Apache
apt:
name: apache2
state: present
- name: Start Apache service
service:
name: apache2
state: started
Roles are a way to organize playbooks and other files in a structured manner. A role typically includes directories for tasks, handlers, templates, and variables.
roles/
my_role/
tasks/
main.yml
handlers/
main.yml
templates/
vars/
Ansible is widely used for configuration management. It allows you to define the desired state of your infrastructure and ensure that it remains consistent over time.
Ansible can automate complex workflows and orchestrate tasks across multiple systems. This includes deploying applications, scaling services, and managing cloud resources.
Common troubleshooting steps include:
-vvv flag for verbose output.This wiki provides a foundational understanding of Ansible and its capabilities. For more detailed information, refer to the official Ansible documentation.