Ansible

Ansible is an open source, command-line IT automation software application written in Python. It can configure systems, deploy software, and orchestrate advanced workflows to support application deployment, system updates, and more. Ansible provides open-source automation that reduces complexity and runs everywhere. Using Ansible lets you automate virtually any task. Here are some common use cases for Ansible:

Eliminate repetition and simplify workflows
Manage and maintain system configuration
Continuously deploy complex software
Perform zero-downtime rolling updates

Control node

A system on which Ansible is installed. You run Ansible commands such as ansible or ansible-inventory on a control node.

Inventory

A list of managed nodes that are logically organized. You create an inventory on the control node to describe host deployments to Ansible.

Managed node

A remote system, or host, that Ansible controls.

Ansible uses playbooks to automate tasks, you describe the desired state of the system in the playbook and ansible makes sure that the system remains in that state.

→ As automation technology, Ansible is designed around the following principles:

1. Agent-less architecture

Low maintenance overhead by avoiding the installation of additional software across IT infrastructure.

2. Simplicity

Automation playbooks use straightforward YAML syntax for code that reads like documentation. Ansible is also decentralized, using SSH with existing OS credentials to access remote machines.

3. Scalability and flexibility

Easily and quickly scale the systems you automate through a modular design that supports a large range of operating systems, cloud platforms, and network devices.

4. Idempotence and predictability

When the system is in the state your playbook describes, Ansible does not change anything, even if the playbook runs multiple times.

Ansible

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