Notes
What is Ansible?
====================
Server(S) Config mgt tool
From Radhat
Written in py
Release
ansible - cmd
ansible awx - gui - free
ansible tower - gui - paid
What config
Server(S) Config
What in Server?
Virtual - HARDWARE
- file
- directory
- services
- yum - apt
- bathc - bash
- users
- group
Others --> puppet - chef - salt - cfegine
Why Ansible
manage config of 100s server
IDEMPOTENCY
DESIRE ACTUAL
APACHE YES - no need to run the script
CODE YES - no cha
NO - make change
DESIRE aCTUAL
apache 80 apache 80
code
1st --- 10 Steps ----------- 10 STEPS - 10 mins
2nd 1 steps 1 step - 1 mins
==============================================================
How it works aka Ansible Architecure
HUMAN -> ACS ---> ARS
ACS - Ansible control Server
ARS - Ansible Remote Server
ACS ARS
----------------------------------------
Linux ANY
64 bit
Ansible NA
Linux --SSH-- LINUX
Linux --Winrm-- Windows
Linux --SSH-- LINUX
py py
Linux --Winrm-- Windows
py dotnet + ps 3.0
Ansible
Executable(S)
Modules - PY CODE -- RUN IN ARS - based on param
Plugins - PY CODE -- RUN IN ACS
Configfile /etc/ansible/config
cp file dest
===============================================================================
1 Install Ansible - DONE
2 Ansible ADHOC Commands DONE -
3 Ansible Inventory DONE
4. Ansible Playbook
5. Ansible variables - cond
6. Ansible roles
project -- Setup a webserver
----------------------------------
Step 1 - Install Apache2 in ubuntu apt name=apache2 state=present
Step 2 - copy package file copy src=index.html dest=/var/www/html/
Step 3 - Restart a services service name=apache2 state=started
ansible localhost -m apt -a"name=apache2 state=present"
ansible localhost -m copy -a"src=index.html dest=/var/www/html/"
ansible localhost -m service -a"name=apache2 state=started"
What is inventory
-------------------------
LIST of IPS ADD (ARS)
----
CMD
FILE
SCRIPT
ansible all -i "52.66.80.208,52.66.80.209" -m apt -a"name=apache2 state=present" -u ubuntu -k -b
ansible all -i "52.66.80.208,52.66.80.209" -m copy -a"src=index.html dest=/var/www/html/" -u ubuntu -k -b
ansible all -i "52.66.80.208,52.66.80.209" -m service -a"name=apache2 state=started" -u ubuntu -k -b
52.66.80.208
52.66.80.209
52.66.80.210
52.66.80.211
ansible all -i inventory -m apt -a"name=apache2 state=present" -u ubuntu -k -b
ansible all -i inventory -m copy -a"src=index.html dest=/var/www/html/" -u ubuntu -k -b
ansible all -i inventory -m service -a"name=apache2 state=started" -u ubuntu -k -b
52.66.80.208 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
52.66.80.209 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_private_key_file=rajesh.pem
52.66.80.210 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
52.66.80.211 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
[web]
52.66.80.208 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
[app]
52.66.80.209 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_private_key_file=rajesh.pem
52.66.80.210 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
52.66.80.211 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
[db]
52.66.80.209 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_private_key_file=rajesh.pem
52.66.80.210 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
52.66.80.211 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
ansible web -i inventory -m apt -a"name=apache2 state=present" -u ubuntu -k -b
ansible web -i inventory -m copy -a"src=index.html dest=/var/www/html/" -u ubuntu -k -b
ansible all -i inventory -m service -a"name=apache2 state=started" -u ubuntu -k -b
Code language: PHP (php)Here’s a structured and refined version of your Ansible guide with better readability, explanations, and formatting.
What is Ansible?
Ansible is a server configuration management tool developed by Red Hat. It is written in Python and is widely used for automating IT infrastructure.
Ansible Versions
- Ansible CLI → Command-line tool for executing automation tasks.
- Ansible AWX → Open-source GUI for Ansible automation (Free).
- Ansible Tower → Enterprise GUI version of Ansible (Paid).
What Can Ansible Configure?
Ansible can manage and automate various aspects of a server, including:
- Files & Directories – Managing configuration files, system files, and folders.
- Services – Starting, stopping, and configuring services.
- Package Management – Installing/updating packages via
yum(Red Hat) orapt(Debian). - Users & Groups – Managing user accounts and permissions.
- Bash Scripts – Automating batch jobs and shell scripts.
- Infrastructure Components – Virtual machines, networking, cloud infrastructure, etc.
Alternatives to Ansible
Other popular configuration management tools:
- Puppet
- Chef
- SaltStack
- CFEngine
Why Use Ansible?
1. Manage Configurations Across Hundreds of Servers
- Ansible helps maintain configuration consistency across multiple servers.
2. Ensures Idempotency
- Idempotency means Ansible will only make changes when necessary.
- Example:
- If Apache is already installed, Ansible won’t install it again.
- If code is missing, Ansible will deploy it.
3. Efficient Execution
- The first execution may involve multiple steps, taking time.
- The second execution only runs required changes, saving time.
Example:
| Run | Steps | Time Taken |
|---|---|---|
| First Execution | 10 steps | 10 minutes |
| Second Execution | 1 step | 1 minute |
How Ansible Works (Architecture)
Ansible operates using a Control Server (ACS) and multiple Remote Servers (ARS).
Components
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| ACS (Ansible Control Server) | The system where Ansible is installed and executed. |
| ARS (Ansible Remote Server) | The target machines that Ansible configures and manages. |
Communication Protocols
| ACS (Control Server) | ARS (Managed Nodes) | Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | SSH |
| Linux | Windows | WinRM |
Ansible Components
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Executables | Main Ansible CLI tools |
| Modules | Python scripts that execute commands on remote servers |
| Plugins | Python scripts that enhance Ansible functionality (run on ACS) |
| Configuration File | Located at /etc/ansible/ansible.cfg |
Installing Ansible
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y ansible # For Ubuntu/Debian
sudo yum install -y ansible # For CentOS/RHEL
Code language: PHP (php)Running Ansible Ad-Hoc Commands
Ad-hoc commands are used to perform quick tasks without writing playbooks.
Example Commands
# Install Apache on localhost
ansible localhost -m apt -a "name=apache2 state=present"
# Copy an index.html file
ansible localhost -m copy -a "src=index.html dest=/var/www/html/"
# Start Apache service
ansible localhost -m service -a "name=apache2 state=started"
Code language: PHP (php)Ansible Inventory
The inventory is a list of target hosts (remote servers) Ansible manages.
Inventory File Examples
Inline Inventory (Command-line)
ansible all -i "52.66.80.208,52.66.80.209" -m apt -a "name=apache2 state=present" -u ubuntu -k -b
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)File-based Inventory (inventory file)
[web]
52.66.80.208 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345[app]
52.66.80.209 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_private_key_file=rajesh.pem 52.66.80.210 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
[db]
52.66.80.211 ansible_user=rajesh ansible_ssh_pass=rajesh12345
Using Inventory File
# Install Apache on all web servers
ansible web -i inventory -m apt -a "name=apache2 state=present" -u ubuntu -k -b
# Copy index.html to all web servers
ansible web -i inventory -m copy -a "src=index.html dest=/var/www/html/" -u ubuntu -k -b
# Start Apache service on all servers
ansible all -i inventory -m service -a "name=apache2 state=started" -u ubuntu -k -b
Code language: PHP (php)Ansible Playbook
A playbook is a YAML file that automates multiple tasks.
Example: Web Server Setup
- name: Install Apache Web Server
hosts: web
become: yes
tasks:
- name: Install Apache2
apt:
name: apache2
state: present
- name: Copy index.html
copy:
src: index.html
dest: /var/www/html/
- name: Restart Apache service
service:
name: apache2
state: restarted
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)Running the Playbook
ansible-playbook -i inventory webserver.yml
Code language: CSS (css)Conclusion
Ansible is a powerful automation tool that simplifies server configuration, application deployment, and IT orchestration. Its agentless architecture, idempotency, and ease of use make it one of the top choices for IT automation.
💡 Next Steps:
✅ Learn about Ansible Variables, Conditionals, and Loops
✅ Explore Ansible Roles for reusable automation
✅ Deploy real-world Ansible projects
This refined version improves readability, structure, and clarity while preserving all key information. 🚀 Let me know if you need further modifications!