Introduction to Ansible

Basic understanding of Linux/Unix commands Familiarity with SSH and basic networking concepts

Course objectives:

• Understand the basics of Ansible
• Learn how to install and configure Ansible
• Explore the core components of Ansible: Playbooks, Modules, and Inventory
• Implement automation tasks using Ansible
• Execute Ansible Playbooks to manage and automate remote servers

1. Introduction to Ansible

• Overview of Configuration Management and Automation
  • What is Configuration Management?
  • Importance of automation in IT operations
• What is Ansible?
  • History and evolution
  • Key features and benefits
• Ansible Architecture
  • Control Node and Managed Nodes
  • Inventory and Configuration files
  • Modules, Plugins, and Playbooks
• Hands-On Exercise

2. Setting Up Ansible

• Installing Ansible
  • Installation on different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Setting Up the Environment
  • Configuring the control node
  • SSH key generation and distribution
• Hands-On Exercise

3. Ansible Basics and Automation

• Ad-Hoc Commands for Automation
  • Running simple Ansible commands
  • Using common Ansible modules (ping, command, copy, yum, apt)
• Inventory Management
  • Static vs Dynamic inventory
  • Grouping hosts
  • Host variables and group variables
• Hands-On Exercise

4. Writing Your First Playbook

Theory (20 minutes)

• Introduction to Playbooks
  • YAML syntax basics
  • Playbook structure: Plays, Tasks, Variables
• Automating Tasks with Playbooks
  • Example tasks: installing software, managing files, and services
• Hands-On Exercise
• Task Control
  • Adding Handlers and Notifications
  • Using conditionals and loops in tasks

5. Advanced Playbook Concepts

• Roles for Structured Automation
  • Introduction to roles
  • Creating and using roles
• Variables and Facts
  • Defining and using variables
  • Gathering and using facts
• Templates
  • Using Jinja2 templates
  • Generating configuration files dynamically
• Hands-On Exercise

6. Conclusion and Next Steps 

• Recap of the Day
  • Key takeaways on automation with Ansible
• Further Learning Resources
  • Books, tutorials, and official documentation
• Q&A