Ansible Tutorials and Notes Nov 2023

Ansible is a configuration management tool with possibility to access mulpliple endpoints on multiple OS platforms with many functionable modules and plugins which expand it’s functionality. It contain functionality to create “playbooks” what make it also great solution for automatization.

Why Ansible?
Cross platform / agentless solution which allow to reach configuration and build automatization.

Ansible Architecture?
Main tool server with optional relays which allow to communicate with endpoints using domain/local credentials managed also in Ansible.

What is module?
Module is a piece of code which allow to expand functionaly which can be performed on endpoint servers.

What is Plugins?
Module is a piece of code which allow to expand functionaly of Ansible server – functions used localy on Ansible server.

What is Ansible?

Ansible is agentless configuration managment tool for executing tasks running scripts , instllation of softwares etc on managed nodes (ARS)

Why Ansible?

Ansible can be used on mulitple OS platoforms and with no agents installed on ARS

Ansible Architecture?

Ansible has simple control node ( installed ansible on this node – ARC) and managed nodes (ARS) where tasks are carreied out

What is module?

In Ansible, a module is like a little script that does a specific job. You can use these modules to perform tasks like copying files, installing software, or restarting a server (ARC)

What is Plugins?

Plugins in Ansible are like extra tools or add ons that can be used for extending functionalities (ARC)

What is Ansible?
-automation tool to automate repetitive tasks of managing/configuring remote systems, which makes admin tasks easy.

Why Ansible?
-to automate repetitive tasks. Centrally manage/configure systems.

Ansible Architecture?
-ACS (Ansible control system)
-ARS (Ansible remote system)

What is module?
-re-usable Piece of code that performs specific task. no need to write code from scratch for which module exists.

What is Plugins?
-plugins enhances functionality of ansible, used by ACS. They act like features in ansible. There are some default plugins ,pre-package with installation, some can be downloaded and used as required.

1.A. Ansible is tool that helps to manage multiple servers, their configuration and deployment of application functionality.

2.A. Ansible can be used to manage, configure and deploy codes across different platforms.

3.A. We have ACS (Ansible Command Server) which controls the execution and Ansible installed and then we have ARS (Ansible Remote Servers) endpoint where the configuration and deployments needs to be deployed.

4.A. Modules are the predefined codes on Ansible server which required arguments to be passed to complete the tasks defined within modules

5.A. Plugins reside with in the command server and are used to support core functionality of transforming data, logging output and connecting to inventory. We have predefined plugins that gets installed as part of installation and can further be added through external sources as well.

What is Ansible ?
 
Ansible is a command-line automation software application written in Python. It can configure systems, deploy software, and orchestrate advanced workflows to support application deployment, system updates, and more.
 
 
Why Ansible?
 
Ansible’s is simple and ease of use.
Ansible lets you quickly and easily deploy multitier apps. You won’t need to write custom code to automate your systems.

Ansible Architecture?InventoryModulesPlugin’sAPIWhat is module ?
A module is a reusable, standalone script that Ansible runs on your behalf, either locally or remotely. 
 

What is Plugins?  
 plugins allow Ansible to connect to the target hosts so it can execute tasks on them. 

What is Ansible?
Platform for config automation tool

Why Ansible?
universal for linux/win, one cfg place many target servers, wide support by redhat

Ansible Architecture?
modules, plugins, inventory

What is module?
module is a piece of code which is executed on target systems as a separate process

What is Plugins?
plugin is also a piece of code, but it’s launched as a part of ansible process

What is Ansible?
Ansible is a tool that provides simple but powerful automation cross-platform.

Why Ansible?
You can use it cross-platform , you can setup or configure almost any device which you can connect to with ssh. Also windows via winrm. Also network switches , storage devices, …. You can start small en end up managing a whole infra. You can use it everywhere also at home. YOu can use it for infra as a code -> devops
No agent needed, on,ly abel to connect to your end-point

Ansible Architecture?
You have a acs and a ars. You run ansible playbooks from acs and execute on ARS.
You need to have an inventory.
You can use modules and plugins.

What is module?is code (python, powershell, ruby) that you execute on ARS
ansible copies the code to ARS, executes and removes the code after execution.

What is Plugins?are executing on the ACS. Plugins are offering extra functionality on the ACS:

• tranform data
• logging output
• connecting to an inventory

What is Ansible?
Ansible is a configuration management tool that automates storage, servers and networking. Is an open source, command line IT automation software written in python

Why Ansible?
Because it helps for automation, configuration and management of IT infraestructure. It works in Windows and Linux SO. It was designed to increase automation accesibility to reduce repetitive task. It’s easy to learn and self-documenting

Ansible Architecture?
Ansible follows a client-server arquitecture, where the server (ACS Ansible control server) communicates with multiple clients (ansible remote servers- managed nides) to execute task. Annsible control acts as the central point of control an can be installed on any Linux

What is module?
Ansible modules are units of code that can control system resources or execute system commands. Ansible works by connecting to servers and execute these modules. Modules accepts parameters.

What is Plugins?
Ansible are pieces of code that argument Ansibles core funcionality

What is Ansible?
Ansible is configuration management tool.
It provides automation for cross-platform.
Why Ansible?
It is agentless and its simplicity because the code can be written in yml which is easier for humans to read and understand than other difficult coding languages.
There are lots of modules in ansible which makes job easier.

Ansible Architecture?

We have Ansible controller node and we have server and we have nodes.
Modules
Plugins
Inventory
PLaybooks
Config file
What is module?
It is something which reside in ACS and runs on ARS.
It is a code which can control system resources or execute system commands.

What is Plugins?
It is something which reside in ACS and runs in ACS
It offers options and extensions for the core features of ansible like
transforming data, logging output, connecting to inventory etc.

#What is Ansible?
It’s config management tool, which we can use automate operations tasks.
Provided by redhat.

#Why Ansible?
Use one way to implement automation across different environment.
Easy to create, update, run, manage the automation script and verify result through web UI.

#Ansible Architecture?
Ansible consists of following components:
1. Control Node: Ansible platform control center. Containes all component files.
2. Inventory: Contains managed nodes settings. Ansible use SSH/WinRM tp communicated with nodes.
3. Playbook: Yaml files to define actions or commands of tasks.
4. Modules: Program or scripts which can be executed on specify nodes.
5. Plugins: To integrate with other systems.

#What is module?
It can be a program or script which can be executed on specify nodes to perform the tasks we need.

#What is Plugins?
Provide functions to integrate with other systems. such as email, logging, alert system.

Program 1 – Write a Ansible Adhoc Commands to create a group called “deploy
ansible localhost -b -m group -a “name=deploy”

Program 2 – Write a Ansible Adhoc Commands to create a user called “deploy-user” which is part of group called “deploy” and with /bin/bash shell.
ansible localhost -b -m user -a “name=deploy-user group=deploy shell=/bin/bash”

Program 3 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands install package named “httpd” in RHEL/centos.
ansible localhost -b -m apt -a “name=apache2”

Program 4 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands to start and enable the service named “httpd”
ansible localhost -b -m service -a “name=apache2 state=started enabled=yes”

Program 5 – Write a Ansible commands to create a file called “index.html” in /var/www/html with some dummy html contents.
ansible localhost -b -m copy -a “dest=/var/www/html/index.html content=’Dummy content'”

Program 6 – Write a Ansible commands to copy a file called “second.html” in /var/www/html/second.html with some dummy html contents.
ansible localhost -b -m copy -a “src=second.html dest=/var/www/html/second.html”

Program 7 – Write a Ansible commands to install a package called “git”, “wget”.
ansible localhost -b -m apt -a “name=git,wget”

Program 8 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands to clone git repo. https://github.com/scmgalaxy/ansible-role-template.
ansible localhost -b -m git -a “repo=https://github.com/scmgalaxy/ansible-role-template dest=/tmp/ansible-role-template”

Program 9 – Write a Ansible commands to reboot a self machine.
ansible localhost -b -m reboot

Program 10 – Write a Ansible commands to touch a file called “devopsschool.txt” in /opt/ and delete after using ansible adhoc command.
ansible localhost -b -m file -a “state=touch path=/opt/devopsschool.txt”
ansible localhost -b -m file -a “state=absent path=/opt/devopsschool.txt”

What is Ansible?
A configuration management tools for servers.

Why Ansible?
To have a tools that uses 1 “language” for all platforms, easy to learn and manage.

Ansible Architecture?
Ansible has an architecture that consists of two types of nodes: a control node and one or more managed nodes. The control node is where Ansible is installed and run, and the managed nodes are the devices or systems that are configured and managed by Ansible.

What is module?
A piece of code, usually (but not mandatory) written in Python that can be used to execute certain action on the ARS (Ansible remote server). The module itself is located on the ACS (ansible controller server).

What is Plugins?
A piece of code that resides in the ACS and runs on the ACS. Plugins are pieces of code that augment Ansible’s core functionality.

Program 1 – Write a Ansible Adhoc Commands to create a group called “deploy
ansible web,db -i inventory -m group -a”name=deploy” -u ubuntu -k -b

Program 2 – Write a Ansible Adhoc Commands to create a user called “deploy-user” which is part of group called “deploy” and with /bin/bash shell.
ansible web,db -i inventory -m user -a”name=deploy-user group=deploy shell=/bin/bash” -u ubuntu –key node.pem -b

Program 3 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands install package named “apache2” in Ubuntu.
ansible web -i inventory -m apt -a”state=latest name=apache2″ -u ubuntu –key-file=node.pem -b

Program 4 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands to start and enable the service named “apache2”
ansible localhost -m service -a”name=apache2 state=started” 

Program 5 – Write a Ansible commands to create a file called “index.html” in /var/www/html with some dummy html contents.
ansible localhost -m file -a”path=”/var/www/html/index.html” state=touch”

Program 6 – Write a Ansible commands to copy a file called “second.html” in /var/www/html/second.html with some dummy html contents.
ansible localhost -m copy -a”src=”second.html” dest=”/var/www/html/second.html”

Program 7 – Write a Ansible commands to install a package called “git”, “wget”.
ansible localhost -m apt -a”state=latest name=git,wget”

Program 8 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands to clone git repo. https://github.com/scmgalaxy/ansible-role-template.
ansible localhost -m git -a”clone=true dest=/home/ubuntu/bert/repo repo=https://github.com/scmgalaxy/ansible-role-template”

Program 9 – Write a Ansible commands to reboot a self machine.
ansible localhost -m reboot -a “msg=’Reboot triggered by Ansible'”

Program 10 – Write a Ansible commands to touch a file called “devopsschool.txt” in /opt/ and delete after using ansible adhoc command.
ansible localhost -m file -a”path=”/opt/devopsschool.txt” state=touch”
ansible localhost -m file -a”path=”/opt/devopsschool.txt” state=absent”

## below become method works if the ansible user is logging in with ssh key and sudo is configured with NOPASSWD on the remote node

Program 1 – Write a Ansible Adhoc Commands to create a group called “deploy

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory file> -m group -a “name=deploy state=present” -b

How to verify?
$ more /etc/group | grep deploy

Program 2 – Write a Ansible Adhoc Commands to create a user called “deploy-user” which is part of group called “deploy” and with /bin/bash shell.

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory file> -m user -a “name=deploy-user group=deploy state=present shell=/bin/bash” -b

How to verify?
$ more /etc/passwd | grep deploy-user

Program 3 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands install package named “httpd” in RHEL/centos.

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory file> -m dnf -a “name=httpd state=latest” -b

How to verify?
$ which httpd

Program 4 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands to start and enable the service named “httpd”

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory file> -m service -a “name=httpd state=started enabled=true” -b

How to verify?
$ ps -eaf | grep httpd

Program 5 – Write a Ansible commands to create a file called “index.html” in /var/www/html with some dummy html contents.

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory_file> -m copy -a “dest=/var/www/html/index.html content=’some dummy html contents'” -b

How to verify?
Browse http://x.x.x.x:80

Program 6 – Write a Ansible commands to copy a file called “second.html” in /var/www/html/second.html with some dummy html contents.

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory_file> -m copy -a “dest=/var/www/html/second.html content=’some dummy html contents'” -b

How to verify?
Browse http://x.x.x.x/second.html

Program 7 – Write a Ansible commands to install a package called “git”, “wget”.

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory_file> -m dnf -a “name=git,wget state=latest” -b

How to verify?
$ which git
$ which wget

Program 8 – Write a Ansible Adhoc commands to clone git repo. https://github.com/scmgalaxy/ansible-role-template.

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory_file> -m git -a “name=https://github.com/scmgalaxy/ansible-role-template dest=<dest_dir>”

How to verify?
$ ls

Program 9 – Write a Ansible commands to reboot a self machine.

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory_file> -m reboot -b

Program 10 – Write a Ansible commands to touch a file called “devopsschool.txt” in /opt/ and delete after using ansible adhoc command.

# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory_file> -m file -a “name=/opt/devopsschool.txt state=touch” -b
# ansible <hostname> -i <inventory_file> -m file -a “name=/opt/devopsschool.txt state=absent” -b

What is Ansible?
Ansible is configuration management tool, can say that It’s enables infrastructure as code. Also Ansible is agentless, relying on temporary remote connections via SSH or Windows Remote Management which allows PowerShell execution.

Why Ansible?
Ansible can be used for a variety of purposes, but it’s most commonly used to automate the deployment and configuration of systems such as servers, virtual machines, and applications. It can be used to perform tasks such as installing software packages, configuring networking settings, and updating system configurations.

Ansible Architecture?

Ansible Architecture:-
– ACS and ARS
– Modules
– Plugins
– Inventory
– Playbooks

What is module?
Ansible works by connecting to your nodes and pushing out small programs, called “Ansible Modules” to them. These programs are written to be resource models of the desired state of the system. Ansible then executes these modules over SSH by default, and removes them when finished.

What is Plugins?

Plugins are pieces of code that augment Ansible’s core functionality. Ansible ships with a number of handy plugins, and that can be easily write.

—
– hosts: localhost
 gather_facts: false
 tasks:
  – name: ‘1. create group’
   group:
    name: deploy
    state: present
  – name: ‘2. create user’
   user:
    name: deploy-user
    state: present
    groups: deploy
    shell: /bin/bash
  – name: ‘3. install package’
   yum:
    name: httpd
    state: present
  – name: ‘4. start and enable service httpd’
   service:
    name: httpd
    state: started
    enabled: true
  – name: ‘5. create file’
   copy:
    dest: /var/www/html/index.html
    content: |
     hello world !!!
  – name: ‘7. install packages’
   vars:
    packages:
     – git
     – wget
   yum:
    name: “{{ packages }}”
    state: present
  – name: ‘8. git clone repo’
   git:
    repo: https://github.com/scmgalaxy/ansible-role-template
    dest: git/https://github.com/scmgalaxy/ansible-role-template
…

What is Ansible?
Ansible is an open-source IT automation tool that automates tasks such as software provisioning, configuration management, and deployment. Ansible is agentless, meaning that it does not require any software to be installed on the remote hosts that it manages. This makes Ansible easy to set up and use, and it can be used to manage a wide variety of systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Why Ansible?
There are many reasons to choose Ansible for IT automation, including:

• Easy to use: Ansible is a very user-friendly tool, even for those who are new to IT automation.
• Agentless: Ansible does not require any software to be installed on the remote hosts that it manages.
• Powerful: Ansible can be used to automate a wide variety of tasks, from simple software provisioning to complex configuration management.
• Flexible: Ansible can be used to manage a wide variety of systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS.
• Scalable: Ansible can be used to manage large numbers of systems without requiring any additional infrastructure.

Ansible Architecture
Ansible has a simple architecture that consists of two main components:

• Control node: The control node is the machine that runs Ansible and from which Ansible commands are issued.
• Managed nodes: Managed nodes are the remote hosts that Ansible manages.

Ansible uses SSH to connect to the managed nodes and execute tasks. Ansible modules are executed on the managed nodes, and they can be used to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as installing software, configuring services, and managing files.
What is a module?
An Ansible module is a Python script that performs a specific task on a managed node. Modules are the building blocks of Ansible playbooks, which are scripts that automate complex tasks by executing multiple modules in sequence.
There are hundreds of built-in Ansible modules, and many more are available from third-party sources. Modules can be used to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as:

• Managing packages
• Configuring services
• Managing files
• Executing commands
• Gathering information

What are plugins?
An Ansible plugin is a piece of code that extends Ansible’s core functionality. There are many different types of plugins, including:

• Connection plugins: Connection plugins allow Ansible to connect to different types of systems, such as Linux, Windows, and macOS.
• Action plugins: Action plugins allow Ansible to perform additional tasks, such as restarting services and sending notifications.
• Lookup plugins: Lookup plugins allow Ansible to retrieve data from external sources, such as databases and APIs.
• Filter plugins: Filter plugins allow Ansible to manipulate data.

Plugins can be used to extend Ansible in a variety of ways, and they can make Ansible even more powerful and flexible.

—
– hosts: localhost

 tasks:
   – name: create a group
    group:
     state: present
     name: deploy

   – name: Install git, wget and httpd
    apt:
     name: “{{ package }}”
     state: present
    vars:
     package:
      – git
      – wget
      – apache2

   – name: start the service httpd and enable
    service:
      name: apache2
      state: started
      enabled: true

   – name: create a user – deploy
    user:
     name: deploy
     state: present
     shell: /bin/bash
     group: deploy

   – name: Template index.html
    template:
     src: apache2.j2
     dest: /var/www/html/index.html
    vars:
     portnumber: 8080
…