Ansible architecture is an open-source automation tool that is used for configuration management, application deployment, task automation, and orchestration. It is designed to simplify the process of managing with IT infrastructure automation by allowing administrators to define tasks and policies in the form of code. Ansible uses a declarative language to describe the desired state of the system, and it automatically takes care of the details of reaching that state.

Key features and reasons why Ansible Architecture is commonly used

Agentless

Ansible operates in an agentless manner, meaning it doesn't require any additional software to be installed on the managed nodes (systems being controlled). This simplifies the setup and reduces the overhead on the managed nodes.

Simple and Human-Readable Syntax

Ansible Architecture uses YAML (Yet Another Markup Language) for its configuration files, which makes it easy to read and write. This simplicity helps in quickly understanding and writing automation scripts.

Idempotence

Ansible ensures idempotence, which means that if a task is executed multiple times, it will result in the same state as if it were run only once. This helps prevent unintended consequences and makes it safe to run automation scripts repeatedly.

Wide Range of Modules

Ansible provides a large number of modules for managing various aspects of a system, such as packages, files, services, users, and more. These modules abstract the underlying implementation details, making it easier to perform common tasks.

Configuration Management

Ansible excels in configuration management by allowing administrators to define the desired state of systems. It can be used to ensure that systems are configured according to a specified standard and to manage configuration changes over time.

Orchestration

Ansible enables the orchestration of complex tasks involving multiple systems. This is particularly useful in scenarios where different components of an application need to be deployed or configured together.

Integration with Version Control Systems

Ansible can be easily integrated with version control systems like Git. This allows for the tracking of changes to infrastructure automation code, collaboration among team members, and the ability to roll back to previous configurations if needed.

Community and Ecosystem

Ansible has a large and active community, and there is a rich ecosystem of roles and playbooks available on Ansible Galaxy. This community-driven content helps in sharing and reusing automation code

Ansible follows a client-server architecture, but it's important to note that it's agentless. Here's a breakdown of Ansible's architecture and how it works:

Control Node

The machine where Ansible is installed and from which all tasks and playbooks are executed.
It doesn't require a specific operating system, and Ansible can be installed on Linux or macOS.

Managed Nodes

The remote systems that are managed and configured by Ansible.
Ansible connects to these nodes over SSH (by default) or other transport methods to execute tasks.

Inventory

It is a configuration file that defines the managed nodes and groups them based on different criteria (e.g., environment, role, function).
It can be static or dynamic, and it provides information about the hosts and their connection details.
It managed nodes and organize them into groups within the inventory file.

Modules

Units of work that Ansible executes. Modules are used to perform specific tasks on managed nodes.
Ansible comes with a wide range of built-in modules for tasks like installing packages, copying files, managing users, and more.

Playbooks

Ansible playbooks are written in YAML and define a set of tasks to be executed on managed nodes.
Playbooks are the central components of Ansible automation and are used to describe the desired state of the system.

Tasks

Individual units of work within a playbook. Each task maps to a module and defines what should be done on the managed nodes.

Roles

A way to organize and package related tasks, variables, and files into a reusable structure.
Roles help in keeping playbooks modular and encourage code reuse across different projects.

Handlers

Tasks that are only run if a notifier (another task) reports a change. Handlers are typically used for restarting services or performing other actions in response to changes.

Facts

System information collected by Ansible about managed nodes. This IT automation tool automatically gather facts and used in playbooks to make decisions based on the current state of the systems.

Summary

In summary, Ansible Architecture is a powerful and versatile automation tool that simplifies the management of IT infrastructure, enhances collaboration among teams, and provides a consistent and repeatable way to deploy and manage applications. By following the architecture and workflow, Ansible allows for efficient and consistent automation of IT infrastructure and configuration management.

Ansible Architecture: Automate IT Like a Pro

Posted By

Syed Muhammad Kashif