Workstation Configuration
- Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
- Install Linux Distribution (Ubuntu)
- Install Ansible Inside WSL
- Install ansible-Lint Inside WSL
- Install VS Code and Ansible Extension
- Connect VS Code to WSL
Top 4 Tools Required
- Ansible-Playbook (Syntax Check)
- Ansible-Lint
- Yamllint
- Ansible-Playbook --Check (Dry Run)
1. Ansible-Playbook (Syntax Check)
ansible-playbook playbook.yml --syntax-check
Purpose:
- Validates YAML Structure
- Catches Parsing Errors
- Ensures Playbook can Load
2. Ansible-Lint
ansible-lint playbook.yml
ansible-lint .
ansible-lint playbook1.yml playbook2.yml
ansible-lint -v playbook.yml
ansible-lint -q playbook.yml
Execution Location:
- WSL (Linux environment)
- Ansible Control Node
- Linux VM
Purpose:
- Enforces Best Practices
- Detects Non-Idempotent Tasks
- Flags Deprecated Modules
- Identifies Risky Patterns
3. Yamllint
yamllint playbook.yml
yamllint .
yamllint -q playbook.yml
Purpose:
- Checks Indentation
- Ensures Formatting Consistency
- Detects YAML-Specific Issues
4. Ansible-Playbook (Dry Run)
ansible-playbook playbook.yml --check
Purpose:
- Simulates Execution
- Identifies Logical Issues
- Detects Missing Dependencies
Workflow
1. Authenticate to GitHub
The user authenticates to GitHub using personal or corporate credentials.
In Enterprise Environments, Personal Accounts are Commonly Used Because:
- Avoids shared or generic accounts
- Enables user-level access control
- Allows easy revocation of access
- Improves auditing and accountability
Access is Controlled Through:
- Repository permissions
- Organization membership
- Team-based access control
2. Clone Repository
git clone <repository-url>
The repository is cloned locally or opened in VS Code.
3. Create New Playbook Version
The user copies an existing validated playbook and saves it under a new name to preserve the original and create a working version.
4. Modify Playbook
Updates Include:
- Network configuration
- Domain join configuration
- OU placement
- Server roles and features
- Security hardening
- Monitoring and agent installation
5. Validate Playbook
ansible-playbook playbook.yml --syntax-check
yamllint playbook.yml
ansible-lint playbook.yml
ansible-playbook playbook.yml --check
Ensures:
- Valid Syntax
- Proper Formatting
- Best Practices Compliance
- Correct Task Sequencing
6. Commit and Push Changes
git add .
git commit -m "Updated playbook"
git push origin <branch>
This updates the GitHub repository (source of truth).
7. Authenticate to Ansible Tower
The User Logs into Ansible Tower via the Web Interface.
8. Project Sync
The User Navigates to the Project and Initiates a Sync.
Operational Behavior:
Git Pull → Updates local project copy on Tower
This ensures the Latest Playbooks are Available.
9. Select and Launch Job Template
The Job Template defines:
- Project
- Playbook
- Inventory
- Credentials
- Variables
The User Clicks Launch to Start Execution.
10. Execute Playbook
Tower → Execution Node
Execution Node → ansible-playbook
The Playbook is Executed against Target Systems.
11. Monitor Job Execution
The User Monitors:
- Task Execution Output
- stdout Logs
- Success / Failure Status
- Host-Level Results
12. Post-Execution Verification
The User Verifies:
- Server Accessibility
- Successful Domain Join
- Correct OU Placement
- Installed Roles and Features
- Active Security and Monitoring Tools
Key Operational Principles
- Use Git (Clone, Commit, Push)
- Never overwrite Validated Playbooks
- Always Validate Before Push
- Use Project Sync to Update Tower
- Use Job Templates for consistency
- Maintain Proper Task Sequencing
Summary
Clone → Modify → Validate → Commit → Push → Sync → Launch → Monitor → Verify
Final Monitoring Statement (Refined)
After launching the Job Template, the User Monitors execution within Ansible Tower through the Web Interface. The platform provides Real-Time Visibility into Task Execution, detailed Logs (stdout), and Final Job Status, allowing the User to Confirm Success or Identify Failures.
0 comments