Ansible is easy to deploy because it does not use any agents or custom security infrastructure on the client-side, and by pushing modules to the clients. These modules are executed locally on the client-side, and the output is pushed back to the Ansible server.

It can easily connect to clients using SSH-Keys, simplifying though the whole process. Client details, such as hostnames or IP addresses and SSH ports, are stored in the files, which are called inventory files. If you created an inventory file and populated it, then Ansible can use it.

Ansible uses the playbook to describe automation jobs, and playbook, which uses simple language, i.e., YAML. YAML is a human-readable data serialization language & commonly used for configuration files, but it can be used in many applications where data is being stored.

A significant advantage is that even the IT infrastructure support guys can read and understand the playbook and debug if needed.

Ansible is designed for multi-tier deployment. Ansible does not manage one system at a time, and it models IT infrastructure by describing all of your systems are interrelated. Ansible is entirely agentless, which means Ansible works by connecting your nodes through SSH (by default). Ansible gives the option to you if you want another method for the connection like Kerberos.

Ansible pushes small programs after connecting to your nodes which are known as “Ansible Modules“. Ansible runs that module on your nodes and removes them when finished. Ansible manages the inventory in simple text files (These are the host’s files). Ansible uses the host file where one can group the hosts and can control the actions on a specific group in the playbooks.

Why Use Ansible

Here are some important reasons for using Ansible, such as:

Ansible is free to use by everyone.
Ansible is very consistent and lightweight, and no constraints regarding the operating system or underlying hardware are present.
It is very secure due to its agentless capabilities and open SSH security features.
Ansible does not need any special system administrator skills to install and use it.
Ansible has a smooth learning curve determined by the comprehensive documentation and easy to learn structure and configuration.
Its modularity regarding plugins, inventories, modules, and playbooks make Ansible perfect companion orchestrate large environments.

Ansible History

Here are some essential points from the history of Ansible, such as:

Michael DeHaan developed Ansible, and the Ansible project began in February 2012.
The creator of Cobbler and Func is also the controller of the Fedora Unified network.
RedHat acquired the Ansible tool in 2015.
Ansible is included as part of the Fedora distribution of the Linux.
Ansible is also available for RedHat Enterprise Linux, Debian, CentOS, Oracle Linux, and Scientific Linux via Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) and Ubuntu as well as for other operating systems.

After connecting to your nodes, Ansible pushes small programs called as “Ansible Modules”. Ansible runs that modules on your nodes and removes them when finished. Ansible manages your inventory in simple text files (These are the hosts file). Ansible uses the hosts file where one can group the hosts and can control the actions on a specific group in the playbooks.

Sample Hosts File

This is the content of hosts file −

#File name: hosts

#Description: Inventory file for your application. Defines machine type abc

node to deploy specific artifacts

# Defines machine type def node to upload

metadata.

[abc-node]
#server1 ansible_host = <target machine for DU deployment> ansible_user = <Ansible
user> ansible_connection = ssh
server1 ansible_host = <your host name> ansible_user = <your unix user>
ansible_connection = ssh

[def-node]
#server2 ansible_host = <target machine for artifact upload>
ansible_user = <Ansible user> ansible_connection = ssh
server2 ansible_host = <host> ansible_user = <user> ansible_connection = ssh

What is Configuration Management

Configuration management in terms of Ansible means that it maintains configuration of the product performance by keeping a record and updating detailed information which describes an enterprise’s hardware and software.

Such information typically includes the exact versions and updates that have been applied to installed software packages and the locations and network addresses of hardware devices. For e.g. If you want to install the new version of WebLogic/WebSphere server on all of the machines present in your enterprise, it is not feasible for you to manually go and update each and every machine.

You can install WebLogic/WebSphere in one go on all of your machines with Ansible playbooks and inventory written in the most simple way. All you have to do is list out the IP addresses of your nodes in the inventory and write a playbook to install WebLogic/WebSphere. Run the playbook from your control machine & it will be installed on all your nodes.

How Ansible Works?

The picture given below shows the working of Ansible.

Ansible works by connecting to your nodes and pushing out small programs, called “Ansible modules” to them. Ansible then executes these modules (over SSH by default), and removes them when finished. Your library of modules can reside on any machine, and there are no servers, daemons, or databases required.

The management node in the above picture is the controlling node (managing node) which controls the entire execution of the playbook. It’s the node from which you are running the installation. The inventory file provides the list of hosts where the Ansible modules needs to be run and the management node does a SSH connection and executes the small modules on the hosts machine and installs the product/software.

Beauty of Ansible is that it removes the modules once those are installed so effectively it connects to host machine , executes the instructions and if it’s successfully installed removes the code which was copied on the host machine which was executed.

Ansible – Environment Setup

In this section of blog , we will learn about the environment setup of Ansible.

Installation Process

Mainly, there are two types of machines when we talk about deployment −

Control machine − Machine from where we can manage other machines.
Remote machine − Machines which are handled/controlled by control machine.

There can be multiple remote machines which are handled by one control machine. So, for managing remote machines we have to install Ansible on control machine.

Control Machine Requirements

Ansible can be run from any machine with Python 2 (versions 2.6 or 2.7) or Python 3 (versions 3.5 and higher) installed.

Note − Windows does not support control machine.

By default, Ansible uses ssh to manage remote machine.

Ansible does not add any database. It does not require any daemons to start or keep it running. While managing remote machines, Ansible does not leave any software installed or running on them. Hence, there is no question of how to upgrade it when moving to a new version.

Ansible can be installed on control machine which have above mentioned requirements in different ways. You can install the latest release through Apt, yum, pkg, pip, OpenCSW, pacman, etc.

Installation through Apt on Ubuntu Machine

For installing Ansible you have to configure PPA on your machine. For this, you have to run the following line of code −

$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install software-properties-common
$ sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ansible/ansible $ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install ansible

After running the above line of code, you are ready to manage remote machines through Ansible. Just run Ansible–version to check the version and just to check whether Ansible was installed properly or not.

So, this brings us to the end of blog. This Tecklearn ‘Overview of Ansible, its History and How to set-up Ansible on your machine’ blog helps you with commonly asked questions if you are looking out for a job in DevOps. If you wish to learn Ansible and build a career in DevOps domain, then check out our interactive, Configuration Management using Ansible Training, that comes with 24*7 support to guide you throughout your learning period. Please find the link for course details:

https://www.tecklearn.com/course/configuration-management-using-ansible/

Configuration Management using Ansible Training

About the Course

Tecklearn has specially designed this Configuration Management using Ansible Training Course to advance your skills for a successful career in this domain. The course will cover different components of Ansible and how they are used in software development operations. You will get an in-depth knowledge of these concepts and will be able to work on related demos. Upon completion of this online training, you will hold a solid understanding and hands-on experience with Ansible.

Why Should you take Configuration Management using Ansible Training?

The average Ansible salary in USA is $136,500 per year or $70 per hour. Entry level positions start at $100,000 per year while most experienced workers make up to $187,500 per year.
Wells Fargo, Capital One, Apple, CISCO & many other MNC’s worldwide use Ansible across industries.
According to Grand View Research, the DevOps market size is estimated to be worth $12.85 billion by 2025. DevOps professionals are highly paid and in-demand throughout industries including retail, eCommerce, finance, and technology.

What you will Learn in this Course?

Introduction to DevOps

What is Software Development
Software Development Life Cycle
Why DevOps?
What is DevOps?
DevOps Lifecycle
DevOps Tools
Benefits of DevOps
How DevOps is related to Agile Delivery
DevOps Implementation

Configuration Management using Ansible

What is Ansible?
Ansible vs Puppet
Ansible Architecture
Ansible Installation
Setting up Master Slave using Ansible
Configuring Ansible Roles
Write Playbooks
Applying configuration using Ansible
Hands on

Got a question for us? Please mention it in the comments section and we will get back to you.

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