Hands-on Ansible

Hands-on Ansible

by Sander van Vugt
Released March 2020
Publisher(s): Pearson IT Certification
ISBN: 0136746179

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Video description

3+ Hours of Video Instruction

Hands-on Ansible LiveLessons is focused on hands-on training by providing the learner with 3 hours of practical tutorials in the form of lightboard explanations and demonstrations in order to get started with Ansible, including up-front access to all configuration files so they can jump right in.

Hands-on Ansible LiveLessons is focused on providing real-world training through practical tutorials in the form of lightboard explanations and demonstrations. In order to immediately get started with Kubernetes, up-front access to all configuration files is provided.

In Hands-on Ansible LiveLessons, Sander van Vugt clearly and succinctly explains Configuration Management, and the role that Ansible plays in it, as well as how to set up an Ansible environment. He'll dig into Ad-hoc commands, and how to automate working with Ad-hoc commands by using playbooks, as well as variables and facts. Task control options, managing files using Ansible, and using roles are also covered. Lastly, the author will discuss Ansible Tower and how this web-based platform will help make managing Ansible easier. Sander van Vugt has presented on dozens of Linux, Ansible, and Kubernetes courses; live training sessions; and has written multiple books.

Supplemental files for this course are located at https://github.com/sandervanvugt/handson-ansible.

About the Instructor

Sander van Vugt has been teaching Linux classes since 1995 and has written more than 60 books about different Linux-related topics, including the best-selling RHCSA-RHCE 7 Cert Guide. Sander is also the author of more than 25 video courses, including Kubernetes Fundamentalsand Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD). He teaches courses for customers around the world, and is also a regular speaker on major conferences related to open source software. Sander is also the founder of the Living Open Source Foundation, a non-profit organization with a focus on teaching Open Source to talent in Africa.

Skill Level

  • Beginner/Intermediate

Learn How To

  • Manage IT infrastructure with Ansible by following examples
  • Understand Ansible in just a few hours
  • Get a feel for Ansible before focusing on Ansible Certification exams

Who Should Take This Course

  • System Administrators that want to manage IT Infrastructure with Ansible
  • Anyone interested in learning all you need to know about Ansible in just a few hours

Course Requirements

  • 3 Virtual machines, running a recent version of CentOS

Lesson Descriptions

Lesson 1, "Understanding Configuration Management," provides a short introduction to configuration management. It discusses the different options that exist, and how configuration management is different from managing configuration using shell scripts.

Lesson 2, "Setting up an Ansible Environment," shows how to set up an Ansible environment. It includes information on basic host configuration, as well as the common components that are required to manage servers using Ansible.

Lesson 3, "Working with Ad-hoc Commands and Modules," discusses how to work with Ad-hoc commands, which allow for Ansible to manage the managed devices without using playbook files. Working with Ansible modules is also covered.

Lesson 4, "Using Playbooks," teaches you how to manage configuration with playbook, as well as YAML, and how to get started running some basic playbooks.

Lesson 5, "Managing Variables and Facts," teaches you how to work with facts and variables.

Lesson 6, "Using Task Control," shows how to make the execution of tasks conditional by using the different task control options that Ansible has to offer, including loops and items, when, as well as handlers.

Lesson 7, "Managing Files," shows how to manage files with templates and Jinja2, as well as having a look at some essential modules for managing files.

Lesson 8, "Using Roles," will discuss working with Roles, which allows for the standardized components in Ansible. This lesson also explains standard roles as provided by Ansible Galaxy.

Lesson 9, "Using Ansible Tower," will discuss this powerful web-based platform that allows enterprise users to manage Ansible in an easy and scalable way.

About Pearson Video Training

Pearson publishes expert-led video tutorials covering a wide selection of technology topics designed to teach you the skills you need to succeed. These professional and personal technology videos feature world-leading author instructors published by your trusted technology brands: Addison-Wesley, Cisco Press, Pearson IT Certification, Sams, and Que. Topics include: IT Certification, Network Security, Cisco Technology, Programming, Web Development, Mobile Development, and more. Learn more about Pearson Video training at www.informit.com/video.

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
    1. Hands-on Ansible: Introduction
  2. Lesson 1: Understanding Configuration Management
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 1.1 Understanding Configuration Management
    3. 1.2 Understanding the Old Way: Bash Shell Scripts
    4. 1.3 Understanding how Ansible makes Configuration Management Easier
  3. Lesson 2: Setting up an Ansible Environment
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 2.1 Setting up Ansible
    3. 2.2 Setting up Static Inventory
    4. 2.3 Configuring the ansible.cfg File
    5. 2.4 Setting up Dynamic Inventory
  4. Lesson 3: Working with Ad-hoc Commands and Modules
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 3.1 Using Ad Hoc Commands
    3. 3.2 Understanding Ansible Modules
    4. 3.3 Getting Help with Modules
    5. 3.4 Exploring Essential Ansible Modules
  5. Lesson 4: Using Playbooks
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 4.1 Understanding YAML Files
    3. 4.2 Writing your First YAML Playbook
    4. 4.3 Running Playbooks
    5. 4.4 Undoing Playbooks
    6. 4.5 Understanding Playbook Output
  6. Lesson 5: Managing Variables and Facts
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 5.1 Working with Variables
    3. 5.2 Understanding Ansible Facts
    4. 5.3 Using Host Variables
    5. 5.4 Using Ansible Vault to Store Sensitive Data
    6. 5.5 Understanding Variable Scope
    7. 5.6 Ansible Directory Structure Best Practices
  7. Lesson 6: Using Task Control
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 6.1 Understanding Task Control Options
    3. 6.2 Using Register Variables
    4. 6.3 Using Loops and Items
    5. 6.4 Using When
    6. 6.5 Advanced When Usage
    7. 6.6 More When Usage
    8. 6.7 Using Handlers
  8. Lesson 7: Managing Files
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 7.1 Using Templates and Jinja2
    3. 7.2 Using Modules to Manipulate Files
  9. Lesson 8: Using Roles
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 8.1 Using Ansible Galaxy
    3. 8.2 Writing Custom Roles
    4. 8.3 Using System Roles
  10. Lesson 9: Using Ansible Tower
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 9.1 Installing Ansible Tower
    3. 9.2 Exploring the Tower Interface
    4. 9.3 Configuring a Sample Project
  11. Summary
    1. Hands-on Ansible: Summary

Product information

  • Title: Hands-on Ansible
  • Author(s): Sander van Vugt
  • Release date: March 2020
  • Publisher(s): Pearson IT Certification
  • ISBN: 0136746179