Introduction

It is a tool that assists you in automating IT activities. What exactly do you mean by "automating"? It implies "to make things run by machine without the need for humans." You may be uninformed of the specifics of how automation is used in IT positions. Let's start with that. Numerous operations must be accomplished, including updates, weekly system restarts, backups, user creation, group and permission assignments, and many more. "Yes, I used to see my PC performing these things without my input," you may be thinking. These jobs are completed automatically, with no human intervention.

All of these steps are considerably accelerated and streamlined using Ansible. Ansible allows you to execute instructions on your computer. It uses a YAML file to set up, install, and deploy. YAML is a data description language ( If you want to know more about YAML check this). These files can be used in a variety of settings. Because it is automated, there will be fewer mistakes. Local computers connect to the nodes using an SSH Client in ansible.

How Does Ansible Function?

Ansible connects to network nodes (clients, servers, etc.) and then sends a little program known as an Ansible module to each node. It then executes these modules through SSH and deletes them after they are finished. For this interaction to operate, your Ansible control node must have login access to the managed nodes.SSH keys are the most often used type of authentication, however, other methods are also permitted.

Modules

Modules are short programs that Ansible distributes to all nodes or remote hosts from a central control workstation. Modules control things like services and packages and can be executed via playbooks.

Ansible runs all of the modules needed to install updates or complete whatever operation is required and then removes them after they're done.

Playbook

Ansible playbooks allow IT professionals to program apps, services, server nodes, and other devices without having to start from scratch. Ansible playbooks, as well as the conditions, variables, and tasks included within them, can be saved, shared, and reused indefinitely.

Ansible playbooks work in the same way that task manuals do. They are straightforward YAML files, which are human-readable data serialization languages.

Ansible's popularity stems from its use of playbooks. They define actions that can be accomplished rapidly without the user having to learn or remember any unique syntax.

Inventory

Ansible uses an inventory file to keep track of which hosts are in your infrastructure and then connects to them to run commands and playbooks. Ansible collaborates with other systems in your infrastructure. This is accomplished by selecting methods from Ansible's inventory file, which is saved at the host location by default. Once the inventory is registered, you can assign variables to any of the hosts using a simple text file, and you can obtain inventory from a variety of sources.

Advantages of Using Ansible

-Ansible is simple to use because it performs all of its actions over SSH and does not require the installation of any agents. -Ansible is a free, open-source tool that is simple to set up and use: Ansible's playbooks do not necessitate any coding expertise. -Ansible can be used from the command line to execute simple tasks such as ensuring that a service is operational or restarting without the need for configuration files.

Ansible may be a better fit in a larger or more homogeneous system. It also includes a collection of modules for handling different approaches and cloud infrastructure.

Why Ansible?

Automation that is both necessary and purposeful is required for modernization and digital transformation. In today's changing environments, we require a new management solution to boost speed, scale, and stability across IT infrastructure.

Technology is our most powerful tool for product development. Previously, this required a substantial amount of manual labor and sophisticated coordination. Ansible, a simple yet powerful IT automation engine used by hundreds of businesses to ease installations and speed up DevOps processes, is now accessible.