https://github.com/dhanikaa/ansible-first-playbook
This project provides a beginner-friendly guide to Ansible, covering installation, inventory management, ad-hoc commands, playbooks, and automation basics. It includes hands-on examples, such as installing Apache, configuring SSH authentication, and verifying server status.
https://github.com/dhanikaa/ansible-first-playbook
adhoc ansible configuration-management playbook
Last synced: 8 months ago
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This project provides a beginner-friendly guide to Ansible, covering installation, inventory management, ad-hoc commands, playbooks, and automation basics. It includes hands-on examples, such as installing Apache, configuring SSH authentication, and verifying server status.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/dhanikaa/ansible-first-playbook
- Owner: dhanikaa
- Created: 2025-02-20T08:01:53.000Z (8 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-02-20T08:34:17.000Z (8 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-02-20T09:32:55.330Z (8 months ago)
- Topics: adhoc, ansible, configuration-management, playbook
- Language: HTML
- Homepage:
- Size: 3.91 KB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
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README
# **Ansible Beginner's Guide: Automating Configuration Management**
## **Table of Contents**
- [Introduction](#introduction)
- [Why Use Ansible?](#why-use-ansible)
- [Ansible Architecture](#ansible-architecture)
- [Installing Ansible on macOS](#installing-ansible-on-macos)
- [Setting Up Passwordless SSH Authentication](#setting-up-passwordless-ssh-authentication)
- [Managing Inventory with `inventory.ini`](#managing-inventory-with-inventoryini)
- [Ad-hoc Commands vs. Playbooks](#ad-hoc-commands-vs-playbooks)
- [Checking if Apache is Running](#checking-if-apache-is-running)
- [Writing an Ansible Playbook](#writing-an-ansible-playbook)
- [Running an Ansible Playbook](#running-an-ansible-playbook)
- [Where to Find Ansible Modules](#where-to-find-ansible-modules)
- [Conclusion](#conclusion)
---
## **Introduction**
**Ansible** is a powerful open-source **configuration management** and **automation tool** used to **manage infrastructure, automate deployments, and enforce security policies**. It is **agentless**, meaning it does not require software to be installed on the managed nodes.
This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know about **Ansible**, including:
✅ **Installation** and **Setup**
✅ **Inventory Management**
✅ **Ad-hoc Commands vs. Playbooks**
✅ **Writing and Running Playbooks**
---
## **Why Use Ansible?**
Traditional methods like **Bash or Python scripts** require a lot of manual effort. Ansible simplifies infrastructure automation by providing:
### ✅ **Advantages of Ansible**
1. **Agentless** – No need to install an agent on managed nodes.
2. **Idempotency** – Running a playbook multiple times won’t change the system if it’s already in the desired state.
3. **Declarative** – Uses **YAML-based playbooks** that are easy to read and maintain.
4. **Scalability** – Manages thousands of servers with a single command.
5. **Built-in Modules** – Supports **package management, user management, file handling**, and more.
---
## **Ansible Architecture**
Ansible follows a **master-managed node** architecture:
- **Master Node (Control Machine):**
- Runs Ansible and executes **playbooks**.
- Manages an **inventory file** to define target servers.
- **Managed Nodes (Target Machines):**
- Servers where Ansible applies configurations.
- **Do not require Ansible installation**—only **SSH access** and **Python**.
---
## **Installing Ansible on macOS**
To install **Ansible** on macOS, use **Homebrew**:
```bash
brew install ansible
```
Verify the installation with:
```bash
ansible --version
```
---
## **Setting Up Passwordless SSH Authentication**
Ansible requires **SSH access** to managed nodes. The best practice is to **use SSH key-based authentication**.
### **Step 1: Generate an SSH Key**
```bash
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -f ~/.ssh/ansible_key
```
### **Step 2: Copy the SSH Key to Managed Nodes**
```bash
ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/ansible_key.pub ubuntu@
```
Test the connection:
```bash
ssh -i ~/.ssh/ansible_key ubuntu@
```
---
## **Managing Inventory with `inventory.ini`**
Example `inventory.ini`:
```ini
[web_servers]
server1 ansible_host=192.168.1.10 ansible_user=ubuntu
server2 ansible_host=192.168.1.11 ansible_user=ubuntu
[db_servers]
db1 ansible_host=192.168.1.20 ansible_user=ubuntu
```
---
## **Ad-hoc Commands vs. Playbooks**
### **Ad-hoc Commands**
Used for **quick one-time tasks** without writing a playbook.
#### 🔹 **Ping all managed nodes**:
```bash
ansible all -i inventory.ini -m ping
```
#### 🔹 **Ping a specific group (`web_servers`)**:
```bash
ansible web_servers -i inventory.ini -m ping
```
#### 🔹 **Ping a specific node (`server1`)**:
```bash
ansible server1 -i inventory.ini -m ping
```
---
## **Checking if Apache is Running**
To check if **Apache** is running on all managed nodes:
```bash
ansible all -i inventory.ini -m shell -a "systemctl status apache2"
```
To check it for a specific group (`web_servers`):
```bash
ansible web_servers -i inventory.ini -m shell -a "systemctl status apache2"
```
To check it for a specific node (`server1`):
```bash
ansible server1 -i inventory.ini -m shell -a "systemctl status apache2"
```
---
## **Writing an Ansible Playbook**
### `first-playbook.yml`
```yaml
---
- hosts: all
become: true
tasks:
- name: Install Apache HTTPD
ansible.builtin.apt:
name: apache2
state: present
update_cache: yes
- name: Copy index.html to web server
ansible.builtin.copy:
src: index.html
dest: /var/www/html/index.html
owner: root
group: root
mode: '0644'
```
---
## **Running an Ansible Playbook**
```bash
ansible-playbook -i inventory.ini first-playbook.yml
```
---
## **Where to Find Ansible Modules?**
🔗 **[Ansible Modules Documentation](https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/collections/index.html)**
---
## **Conclusion**
Ansible simplifies **configuration management** and **automation**. With **inventory management, ad-hoc commands, and playbooks**, you can efficiently manage infrastructure.
Now that you understand the basics, explore **Ansible roles, variables, and templates** for advanced automation! 🚀