you need to learn Ansible RIGHT NOW!! (Linux Automation)

NetworkChuck23 minutes read

Ansible, an IT automation tool owned by Red Hat, simplifies server management across different systems and networks without requiring programming knowledge. It is versatile, free, and open-source, capable of managing various systems like AWS and Windows machines efficiently through playbooks.

Insights

  • Ansible, owned by Red Hat, is a versatile IT automation tool that simplifies managing servers and devices by allowing changes from a central control station, regardless of the operating system, and does not require programming knowledge.
  • The agentless feature of Ansible, based on Python, enables seamless automation of tasks like executing commands simultaneously on multiple machines, rebooting devices, and verifying their status, while playbooks further enhance efficiency by organizing tasks in YAML files, utilizing modules for desired states on servers.

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Recent questions

  • What is Ansible?

    Ansible is a tool for IT automation that focuses on systems, cloud, and networking automation. It is owned by Red Hat and is popular for simplifying the management of multiple servers without requiring programming knowledge.

  • How does Ansible work?

    Ansible allows changes to be made from a central control station, automating tasks like changing DNS servers across all servers simultaneously. It is Python-based, making it versatile and easy to use, and can connect over SSH without needing installations on managed devices.

  • What systems can Ansible manage?

    Ansible is not limited to Linux; it can also work for network engineers managing routers and switches. It is free, open-source, and can manage various systems like AWS and Windows machines.

  • How can Ansible execute commands on multiple machines?

    Using Ansible, Linux commands can be executed simultaneously on multiple machines by specifying the host. It allows for efficient execution of commands on multiple servers with a single command, providing information from all servers.

  • What are Ansible playbooks?

    Ansible offers a more organized and powerful approach through playbooks, which are YAML files defining tasks to be executed on servers. Playbooks utilize modules like `yum` to ensure desired states are achieved, providing a structured way to automate tasks efficiently.

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Summary

00:00

"Ansible: Red Hat's versatile IT automation tool"

  • Ansible is a tool for IT automation, focusing on systems, cloud, and networking automation.
  • It is popular, owned by Red Hat, and doesn't require programming knowledge.
  • Ansible simplifies managing multiple servers by allowing changes from a central control station.
  • It can automate tasks like changing DNS servers across all servers simultaneously.
  • Ansible is not limited to Linux; it works for network engineers managing routers and switches.
  • Red Hat's ownership of Ansible adds credibility, given its status in the Linux world.
  • Ansible is Python-based, making it versatile and easy to use.
  • The agentless feature of Ansible allows it to connect over SSH without requiring installations on managed devices.
  • Ansible is free, open-source, and can manage various systems like AWS and Windows machines.
  • Setting up Ansible is straightforward, as demonstrated in a step-by-step guide using Linode for a lab setup.

12:48

Efficiently execute Linux commands on multiple servers

  • Using Ansible, we can execute Linux commands simultaneously on multiple machines by specifying the host.
  • An example of an ad hoc command is checking the OS release of servers by using the command `cat /etc/os-release`.
  • Ansible allows for efficient execution of commands on multiple servers with a single command, providing information from all servers.
  • Another practical use is rebooting machines using the command `reboot` with the specified host.
  • Verifying if the machines are back up can be done by using the command `ansible Linux -m ping`.
  • Ansible offers a more organized and powerful approach through the use of playbooks, which contain tasks to be performed on servers.
  • Playbooks are YAML files that define tasks to be executed on servers, utilizing modules like `yum` to ensure desired states are achieved.
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