introduction into ansible

Ansible - Introduction #

Ansible is an open source tool for the automation of the configuration and management of computer systems. Here are some easy points to understand:

• Automation: Ansible can automate repetitive tasks, such as the installation of software on a computer.

• Configuration management: Ansible can manage and change the settings on a computer.

• Simplicity: Ansible uses the simple YAML language.

• No additional software required: Ansible has no need for additional software on the computers it manages. Ansible uses existing technologies such as OpenSSH and Python.

Ansible’s approach: #

To automate tasks on computers or servers, Ansible works in a series of steps:

• Connect to nodes: Ansible connects to nodes (called hosts). Nodes are the target endpoints. They can be servers, network devices, or any computer you want to manage with Ansible.

• Transfer modules: Ansible pushes small programs, called modules, to these nodes. These modules are used to perform automation tasks in Ansible.

• Running modules: Ansible executes the modules and removes them when the execution is complete. These programs are written as resource models for the desired state of the system.

• Agentless automation: Ansible is agentless and can therefore manage nodes without the need to install any software on them. Ansible uses the SSH protocol to connect to servers and perform tasks.

YAML #

YAML (Yet Another Markup Language) is the language used for Ansible.

I’m going to show you some basic Ansible Tasks. In the future I will delve deeper into Ansible Tasks, Roles and Playbooks in general. And I will teach you how to write your own Windows based Ansible modules.

This Task installs the IIS.

- name: Install IIS (Web-Server only)
  ansible.windows.win_feature:
    name: Web-Server
    state: present

Documentation: https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/collections/ansible/windows/win_feature_module.html