book

Ansible for Real-Life Automation

Name: Ansible for Real-Life Automation
Author: Gineesh Madapparambath
ISBN: 9781803235417

by Gineesh Madapparambath

September 2022

Beginner to intermediate

480 pages

10h 14m

English

Packt Publishing

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Ansible for Real-Life Automation
ContributorsAbout the authorAbout the reviewers
Preface
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookDownload the example code filesDownload the color imagesConventions usedGet in touchShare Your Thoughts
Part 1: Using Ansible as Your Automation Tool
Chapter 1: Ansible Automation – Introduction
Technical requirementsHello engineers!What is Ansible? Where should I use this tool?PrerequisitesAnsible control node requirementsAnsible managed node requirementsAnsible is agentlessAnsible architectureAnsible inventoryAnsible pluginsAnsible modulesAnsible content collectionsAnsible playbookAnsible use casesInstalling AnsibleVerify dependenciesInstalling Ansible using the package managerInstalling Ansible using Python pip Deploying AnsibleCreating an Ansible inventoryConfiguring your managed nodesSetting up SSH key-based authenticationMultiple users and credentialsAnsible ad hoc commandsInstalling a package using AnsibleSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 2: Starting with Simple Automation
Technical requirementsIdentifying manual tasks to be automatedFinding the Ansible modules to useConfiguring your text editor for AnsibleConnecting to remote nodesSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 3: Automating Your Daily Jobs
Technical requirementsUsing Ansible to collect server detailsAnsible rolesAnsible Jinja2 templatesCollecting system informationSystem scanning and remediation using AnsibleAnsible --extra-varsAutomated weekly system reboot using AnsibleAutomating notificationsEncrypting sensitive data using Ansible VaultSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 4: Exploring Collaboration in Automation Development
Technical requirementsThe importance of version control in IT automationSelecting a Git serverWhere should I keep automation artifacts?Ansible and Git repositories – best practices Managing automation content in a Git serverSetting up a GitHub accountCreating your first Git repositoryInstalling Git on a local machineConfiguring SSH keys in GitHubAdding content to the Git repositoryCollaboration is the key to automationUsing Git branchingImplementing Git branchingSummaryFurther reading
Part 2: Finding Use Cases and Integrations
Chapter 5: Expanding Your Automation Landscape
Technical requirementsFinding your automation use cases in your day-to-day workAssessing the tasksAnsible and ITSMAutomation and Information Technology Infrastructure Library complianceAutomation feasibility and usabilityHow complex is the use case?Can I reduce human error?Can I reduce the deployment time and speed up my tasks?How frequently am I doing this task?How much time can I save by automating this task?Can I save some money?Involving teams in the automation journeyAnsible dynamic inventoryUsing the Ansible dynamic inventory with AWSSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 6: Automating Microsoft Windows and Network Devices
Technical requirementsAnsible remote connection methodsAnsible connection variablesSSH connection parametersAutomating Microsoft Windows servers using AnsibleSupported Microsoft Windows operating systemsMicrosoft Windows automation – Ansible control node prerequisitesMicrosoft Windows automation – managed node prerequisitesConfiguring the user account and WinRM on a Microsoft Windows machineConfiguring Ansible to access the Microsoft Windows machineMicrosoft Windows automation – using Ansible to create a Windows userIntroduction to network automationTask execution on an Ansible control nodeDifferent connection methodsVyOS information gathering using AnsibleCreating ACL entries in a Cisco ASA deviceSummaryFurther reading

Chapter 7: Managing Your Virtualization and Cloud Platforms
Technical requirementsIntroduction to Infrastructure as CodeManaging cloud platforms using Ansible Automating VMware vSphere resources using AnsibleAnsible VMware automation prerequisitesProvisioning VMware virtual machines in AnsibleUsing Ansible as an IaC tool for AWSInstalling the Ansible AWS collectionCreating Ansible IaC content for the AWS infrastructureCompleting the IaC life cycle by using a destroy playbookCreating resources in GCP using Ansible Prerequisite for Ansible GCP automationGCP free trialConfiguring GCP credentialsCreating a GCP instance using AnsibleSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 8: Helping the Database Team with Automation
Technical requirementsAnsible for database operationsInstalling database serversInstalling PostgreSQL using AnsibleInstalling Microsoft SQL Server on LinuxCreating and managing databases using AnsibleAnsible community.postgresql prerequisitesManaging the database life cycleAutomating PostgreSQL operationsManaging PostgreSQL remote accessDatabase backup and restoreAutomating a password reset using ITSM and AnsibleAnsible playbook for resetting passwords SummaryFurther reading
Chapter 9: Implementing Automation in a DevOps Workflow
Technical requirementsA quick introduction to DevOpsContinuous delivery versus continuous deploymentAnsible inside CI/CD tasksUsing Ansible inside a Jenkins pipelineServing applications using a load balancerRolling updates using AnsibleSteps involved in an application updateDeploying updates in a batch of managed nodesDeploying updates on multiple servers without service downtimeUsing Ansible as a provisioning tool in TerraformUsing Terraform’s local-exec provisioner with AnsibleUsing Terraform’s remote-exec provisioner with AnsibleSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 10: Managing Containers Using Ansible
Technical requirementsManaging the container hostAnsible Docker prerequisitesInstalling Docker on the host using AnsibleAnsible, containers, and CI/CDManaging containers using Ansible Starting a Docker container using AnsibleStopping Docker containers using AnsibleManaging container images using AnsibleConfiguring Docker Registry accessBuilding container images using AnsibleManaging multi-container applications using AnsibleSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 11: Managing Kubernetes Using Ansible
Technical requirementsAn introduction to KubernetesThe Kubernetes control planeComponents on the nodesManaging Kubernetes clusters using AnsibleConfiguring Ansible for KubernetesPython requirementsInstalling the Ansible Kubernetes collectionConnecting Ansible to KubernetesInstalling the kubectl CLI toolVerifying the Kubernetes cluster details using AnsibleDeploying applications to Kubernetes using AnsibleScaling Kubernetes applicationsScaling Kubernetes Deployments using AnsibleExecuting commands inside a Kubernetes PodSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 12: Integrating Ansible with Your Tools
Technical requirementsIntroduction to Red Hat AAPFeatures of Red Hat AAPRed Hat AAP componentsAnsible automation controllerAutomation execution environmentsThe automation meshAutomation HubDatabase management using Red Hat AAPAccessing the Ansible automation controllerCreating a project in automation controllerCreating the inventory and managed nodesCreating credentials in the automation controllerCreating a new job templateExecuting an automation job from the automation controllerIntegrating Jenkins with AAPAnsible Tower plugin for Jenkins Multibranch pipelines in JenkinsCreating a JenkinsfileTriggering a build in the Jenkins pipelineFurther enhancements to the Jenkins pipelineIntegrating an automation controller with Slack and notification servicesCreating email notifications in the automation controllerSending Slack notifications from the automation controllerSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 13: Using Ansible for Secret Management
Technical requirementsHandling sensitive data in AnsibleIntegrating with Vault servicesInteractive input using promptsEncrypting data using Ansible VaultManaging secrets using Ansible Vault Creating Vault filesEncrypting existing files Adding Vault ID to an encryptionViewing the content of a Vault file Editing a Vault fileDecrypting a Vault fileVault password rotation by rekeyingEncrypting specific variablesUsing secrets in Ansible playbooksHiding secrets from logs using no_logAnsible Vault for group_vars and host_varsUsing Vault credentials in the Ansible Automation PlatformCreating Vault credentialsSummaryFurther reading
Part 3: Managing Your Automation Development Flow with Best Practices
Chapter 14: Keeping Automation Simple and Efficient
Technical requirementsUtilizing surveys and automated inputsIntegrating Ansible with monitoring toolsThe role of Ansible in monitoringServiceNow, Ansible, and zero-touch incident fixesAnsible for security automationAnsible workflow templatesSummary
Chapter 15: Automating Non-Standard Platforms and Operations
Technical requirementsExecuting low-down raw commandsInstalling Python using the raw moduleUsing raw commands for network operationsBackup FortiOS configurationsFortiOS software upgradeRaw commands on Cisco devicesUsing API calls for automationAutomating a ToDo app using AnsibleInteracting with the Akamai APICreating custom modules for AnsibleFacts to check before creating a custom Ansible moduleDeveloping Ansible modules using bash scriptsDeveloping Ansible modules using PythonUsing Ansible collections and contributing backSummaryFurther reading
Chapter 16: Ansible Automation Best Practices for Production
Technical requirementsOrganizing Ansible automation contentStoring remote host information – inventory best practicesUsing meaningful hostnamesStoring production, staging, and development hosts separatelyAnsible host variables and group variablesAnsible group_varsAnsible host_varsKeeping your secret variables in a safe locationManaging group_vars and host_vars in AnsibleAnsible credentials best practicesAvoid using default admin user accountsSplit the login credentials for environments and nodesAvoid passwords in plain textAnsible playbook best practicesAlways give your tasks namesUse the appropriate commentsExtra lines and whitespacesAdd tags to the tasksUse explicit declarationsUse native YAML for playbooksAvoid hardcoding variables and detailsUse blocks in Ansible playbooksUse roles and subtasksUse meaningful names for variablesLearn playbook optimizationSummaryFurther reading
Index
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Overview

Ansible for Real-Life Automation is the definitive guide to mastering the open-source IT automation tool Ansible. You'll learn how to set up and use Ansible effectively to automate routine IT tasks, manage cloud and on-premises infrastructure, orchestrate containers, and integrate automation into DevOps pipelines.

What this Book will help me do

Develop robust and production-ready Ansible playbooks for varied automation requirements.
Master the automation of infrastructure for cloud providers such as AWS, GCP, and VMware.
Learn to manage and operate containerized environments with Ansible, including Kubernetes and OpenShift.
Integrate Ansible into modern CI/CD pipelines for streamlined DevOps processes.
Implement best practices for secure automation, utilizing Ansible Vault for sensitive data.

Author(s)

Gineesh Madapparambath is an experienced automation engineer and technology author known for his hands-on approach to mastering IT systems operations and automation tools. With extensive experience in designing and implementing large-scale automation solutions, he combines practical examples with industry best practices to make technical concepts easy to understand and apply.

Who is it for?

This book is suited for DevOps engineers, infrastructure managers, and systems administrators who want to gain expertise in Ansible for automating IT processes. It's ideal for those with basic Linux knowledge who are looking to automate manual operations and take automation to the next level in their organizations.

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