Getting Started with Ansible: A Quick Guide for Beginners

Ansible is a powerful automation tool that can help you streamline your IT tasks and processes. However, getting started with it can be a bit daunting, especially for those who are new to the world of automation. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up Ansible on two CentOS 7 servers, so you can start experimenting with its features right away.

Before we begin, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

* This guide is intended for beginners and assumes you have little to no prior experience with Ansible.

* The steps outlined here are for setting up Ansible on a test environment. While the process is similar for a production-ready deployment, there are some important differences that we will not cover in this guide.

* All commands in this guide should be run as the root user on both servers.

Step 1: Ensure Your OS is Up to Date

Before installing Ansible, it’s essential to ensure that your operating system is up to date. You can check for updates by running the following command on both servers:

“`

sudo yum update -y

“`

Step 2: Install Required Packages

Next, you need to install a few packages to make your life easier. The only package that we will not install on both servers is the Ansible Enterprise Release pack. To install the required packages, run the following commands on the test server (snransl01.sonar.lan) and on the Ansible controller (snrans01.sonar.lan):

“`

sudo yum install -y python-pip libffi-devel make python27-devel git wget numpy

“`

Step 3: Install Ansible

Now it’s time to install Ansible! To do this, run the following command on the Ansible controller server:

“`

sudo yum install -y ansible

“`

Step 4: Check Ansible Version

Once the installation has completed, we can check that Ansible is installed correctly and working by simply checking the version. Run the following command on either server:

“`

ansible –version

“`

This should output the version information for Ansible. If everything has been installed and configured correctly, you should see a version number displayed.

That’s it! With these four steps, you now have Ansible installed and ready to use on two CentOS 7 servers. From here, you can start experimenting with Ansible playbooks and commands to automate various tasks and processes in your IT environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting started with Ansible doesn’t have to be daunting. By following these four simple steps, you can quickly set up Ansible on two CentOS 7 servers and begin exploring its features and capabilities. Remember to keep in mind the caveats mentioned at the beginning of this guide, and always ensure that your OS is up to date before installing any new software. Happy automating!