Ansible playbooks run multiple tasks, assign roles, and define configurations, deployment steps, and variables. If you’re using multiple servers, Ansible playbooks organize the steps between the assembled machines or servers and get them organized and running in the way the users need them to. Consider playbooks as the equivalent of instruction manuals.
I created an ansible file, which all the 3 tasks at once in my localhost : )
---
- name: Create a file on the local machine
hosts: localhost
tasks:
- name: Create a file
file:
path: /home/ckvb/create_file.yml # Specify your file's valid path here
state: touch
delegate_to: localhost # This ensures it's executed on the local machine
- name: Create a new user on the local machine
hosts: localhost
tasks:
- name: Add a new user
user:
name: new_user
state: present
- name: Install Docker on the local machine
hosts: localhost
tasks:
- name: Install Docker
apt:
name: docker.io
state: present
After running the playbook..!
Writing Ansible playbooks with best practices is crucial to ensure the efficiency, maintainability, and reliability of your automation tasks. In this blog, we will explore some of the best practices for creating Ansible playbooks.
1. Organize Your Playbooks
Structuring your playbooks is essential for readability and maintainability. Consider the following organization:
Inventory: Create an inventory file to list your target hosts. This can be a file or a dynamic inventory source.
Roles: Organize your tasks into reusable roles. Each role should have its directory containing tasks, handlers, and variables.
Playbooks: Keep your playbooks in a dedicated directory. Avoid placing tasks directly in playbooks; instead, include roles.
2. Use Roles for Reusability
Roles are Ansible's way of promoting reusability. They allow you to define sets of tasks, handlers, and variables that can be included in multiple playbooks. This makes your automation more modular and easier to maintain.
3. Separate Variables from Playbooks
Instead of hardcoding values in your playbooks, use variables. Keep variables separate from playbooks in YAML files, often called vars or defaults. This separation simplifies maintenance and allows for easier configuration changes.
4. Document Your Playbooks
Use comments and documentation blocks in your playbooks and roles. Explain what the playbook does, its intended use, and any specific requirements or caveats. Well-documented playbooks are easier to understand and maintain.
5. Encrypt Sensitive Data
Avoid storing sensitive information like passwords, keys, or tokens in plain text. Ansible Vault allows you to encrypt data files securely, protecting them from unauthorized access. Use vault-encrypted variables for sensitive data.
6. Use Tags
Ansible provides the ability to tag your tasks. Tags allow you to run specific parts of a playbook, which can be helpful for debugging, testing, or targeting specific tasks. Tags also make it easier to manage your automation.
7. Validate Your Playbooks
Ansible provides a built-in validator called ansible-lint that checks your playbooks for best practices and potential issues. Regularly run ansible-lint to ensure your playbooks meet best practice standards.
8. Dry Runs and Check Mode
Before executing a playbook on your infrastructure, run it in "check mode" (--check) to validate changes without making any. This minimizes risks, especially when making significant changes.
9. Use Roles from the Ansible Galaxy
Ansible Galaxy is a hub for community-contributed Ansible roles. Leveraging roles from Ansible Galaxy can save time and ensure you're using well-tested and widely-adopted solutions.
10. Use Source Control
Store your playbooks in a version control system like Git. This allows you to track changes, collaborate with others, and revert to previous states if necessary.
11. Testing and Continuous Integration
Implement a testing process to ensure your playbooks work as expected. Tools like Molecule and Travis CI can automate testing and integration into your workflow.
12. Follow Idempotence
Ensure that your playbooks are idempotent, meaning they can be safely run multiple times without causing unintended changes.
13. Secure Your Ansible Environment
Protect your Ansible control machine, and ensure proper access control and authentication for your target hosts. Limit access to your Ansible control machine.
14. Understand Error Handling
Implement proper error handling and failure strategies in your playbooks. Use ignore_errors and failed_when wisely, and handle errors gracefully.
15. Keep Playbooks Simple
Avoid overly complex playbooks. If a playbook becomes too intricate, consider breaking it down into multiple playbooks or roles for better maintainability.
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