Introduction
What is Ansible?
Open-source automation tool for IT tasks: configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration. Simplifies complex tasks and streamlines IT operations.
Why Use Ansible?
- Simplicity: Uses YAML for playbook definitions, making it readable and easy to learn.
- Agentless: Operates over SSH or PowerShell, no agents to install on target systems.
- Flexibility: Manages both Unix-like and Windows systems.
- Idempotency: Ensures repeatable deployments and configurations without side effects.
Ansible Architecture:
- Control Node : The machine where Ansible is installed and runs playbooks.
- Managed Nodes : Targets of Ansible automation (servers, devices).
- Inventory: : Defines groups of managed nodes.
- Modules: Units of code Ansible executes. Playbooks call modules.
- Playbooks: YAML files that define automation jobs. Dictate how to perform tasks.
- Roles: Organize playbooks for reusable content.
- Tasks: Individual actions performed by playbooks.
- Facts: Information retrieved from managed nodes for use in playbooks.
- Handlers: Special tasks executed at the end of playbooks if notified by another task.
Documentation for Full Clarity:
For comprehensive details, refer to the official Ansible Documentation