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Ansible


Ansible is an open source IT configuration management (CM) and automation platform, provided by Red Hat. It uses human-readable YAML templates so that users can program repetitive tasks to occur automatically, without learning an advanced language.

Ansible replaces ad hoc scripting or manual CM with an automated and repeatable process. The tool pushes application code, programs and IT infrastructure setup instructions via modules to managed nodes, whether physical servers, virtual machines (VMs) or cloud instances. The tool also gives users the option to invert its setup to a pull architecture, where managed nodes request instructions from the tool, typically done to enable scaling.

Ansible components

An Ansible user sets up instructions as commands or packages them into reusable plays, executed in playbooks. Ansible performs an orchestration function, giving the user control over the order in which it carries out automated steps.

Ansible is agentless, meaning that it does not install software on the nodes that it manages. This removes a potential point of failure and security vulnerability and simultaneously saves system resources.

The CM tool integrates with other systems management and hosting technologies, including asset libraries, monitoring and collaboration software, and cloud and virtualization platforms. Ansible can control Windows systems using Windows Remote Management (WinRM). The Ansible control node must be Linux, with Python 2.6 or greater.

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