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<h2>Introduction</h2>
In today&#39;s paced world of IT the demand for automation tools has become more crucial than ever. <a href="https://www.cloudastra.co/blogs/terraform-vs-ansible-comparing-infrastructure-as-code-tools">Ansible&nbsp; Automation tool</a> has emerged as a game changer since its introduction in February 2012. Created by Michael DeHaan, Ansible quickly gained popularity due to its module based architecture and agentless approach. In this blog post we aim to demystify the fundamentals, structure and terminology of Ansible while shedding light on its significance in the IT industry.
<h2>What is Ansible?</h2>
So what exactly is Ansible? It is an open source Infrastructure Automation tool that falls under the category of Infrastructure as Code (IaC). IaC involves managing and provisioning computer data centers using machine definition files relying on traditional hardware configuration or interactive tools. The true beauty lies in its ability to automate tasks typically performed by System Administrators. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for deploying infrastructure as code both on premise and, across public cloud providers.
<h2>Three Main Use Cases of Ansible:</h2>
Provisioning:
Provisioning refers to the process of setting up the <a href="https://www.cloudastra.co/blogs/web-scraping-with-nigmabotai-the-ultimate-ai-website-scraper">IT infrastructure</a>, ensuring a uniform fleet of machines. Traditionally, System Administrators have relied on software to create workstation images, but this approach has limitations. Imaging technology captures a snapshot in time, making it cumbersome to reinstall software due to modern key activation systems or manual updates for security patches. Ansible addresses this by offering powerful automation capabilities, streamlining the provisioning process and ensuring a smoother workflow.
Configuration Management:
Configuration management involves maintaining systems and software in a desired and consistent state. Ansible plays a pivotal role in keeping the entire fleet up-to-date and consistent. It facilitates coordinating rolling updates, scheduling downtime, and managing compliance with international standards. With a wide array of modules available, Ansible simplifies the task of verifying the status of managed hosts and taking action in a controlled manner, ensuring a consistent and secure environment.
Application Deployment:
Application deployment is the process of publishing software across testing, staging, and production environments. Ansible proves invaluable in automating the continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) workflow pipeline for web applications. DevOps teams benefit from Ansible&#39;s ability to streamline the deployment process, ensuring efficiency and reliability throughout the development lifecycle.
<h2>Ansible for DevOps:</h2>
Ansible is not just a tool, it is a catalyst for applying DevOps principles in organisations worldwide. DevOps, a methodology that combines software development and IT operations, emphasises collaboration and cross-functional working. Ansible seamlessly integrates into the DevOps toolchain, contributing to various categories critical to the development and delivery process:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:none">Code:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Code development and review</li>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Source code management tools</li>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Code merging</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type:none">Build:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Continuous integration tools</li>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Build status</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type:none">Test:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Continuous testing tools providing quick feedback on business risks</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type:none">Release:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Artifact repository</li>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Application pre-deployment staging</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type:none">Deploy:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Change management</li>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Release approvals</li>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Release automation</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type:none">Operate:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Infrastructure configuration and management</li>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Infrastructure as code tools</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type:none">Monitor:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">Applications performance monitoring</li>
<li style="list-style-type:disc">End-user experience</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Ansible has emerged as a powerhouse in the realm of Infrastructure Automation, offering a robust solution for IT departments looking to streamline tasks and embrace DevOps principles. Its module-based architecture, agentless approach, and versatility make it a go-to tool for provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment. As organisations worldwide continue to adopt DevOps practices, Ansible stands as a key enabler in creating efficient, collaborative, and automated workflows for the ever-evolving IT landscape. Whether you are a seasoned IT professional or a beginner, Ansible is a tool worth exploring for its transformative capabilities in modern IT infrastructure management.
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Blog Details

Ansible for Beginners: Part-1