Ansible: Introduction & Getting Started

Ansible is an open-source automation tool for configuration management, application deployment, and task automation. It uses simple YAML-based playbooks and requires no agent on managed nodes.

Why Use Ansible?

• Automate repetitive IT tasks
• Manage infrastructure as code (IaC)
• Orchestrate multi-tier deployments
• Ensure consistency across environments

How Ansible Works

• Uses SSH (or WinRM for Windows) to connect to hosts
• Playbooks define tasks in YAML
• Modules perform actions (e.g., install packages, copy files)

Quick Start Example

1. Install Ansible (on most Linux/macOS):

   pip install ansible
   # or
   sudo apt install ansible
   

2. Create an inventory file (hosts):

   [web]
   server1.example.com
   server2.example.com
   

3. Write a simple playbook (site.yml):

   ---
   - name: Ensure Apache is installed
     hosts: web
     become: yes
     tasks:
       - name: Install Apache
         apt:
           name: apache2
           state: present
   

4. Run the playbook:

   ansible-playbook -i hosts site.yml
   

Learn More

• Ansible Documentation
• Getting Started Guide

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Step-by-Step Ansible Tutorials

If you want a structured, beginner-friendly path, check out the Ansible tutorial series: - Tutorial 1: Concepts & Terminology - Tutorial 2: Modules & Your First Playbook - Tutorial 3: Variables, Modules & Network Fact Gathering