Ansible has gained popularity as an open source IT tool for managing configuration, deployment and orchestration. It can be leveraged for offering better gains in terms of optimum productivity for a wide array of automation-related challenges. Its appeal lies in its simplicity yet the tool packs a wallop and facilitates automation of complicated multi-tier enterprise-grade IT application environments.
Ansible helps in creating groups of controller and node machines, describes the configuration modalities for these machines and defines the respective actions to be taken for each. The tasks are performed in an automated manner from a centralized location as all commands are issued from Ansible. The node machines need not have client software installed on them. SSH is used for connecting the nodes. Ansible should only be installed on the controller machine for running commands and the machine can be as naïve as your laptop.
As organizations are appreciating the value of Ansible in managing servers in multiple data centre environments with agility, the role of an Ansible professional is maturing with a corresponding increase in salary and perks commanded. Ansible certification would capacitate you to join the league of professionals who are giving a new direction to the industry.
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Advantages of Learning Ansible
1. Simple to learn and leverage
Ansible uses ‘playbooks’ whose syntax is simple and scripted in YAML, the human-readable data serialization language. You need to acquire special coding skills. Also, Ansible commands can be read and understood by IT people who have not undertaken formal training. Ansible can be installed easily and tasks are executed in order.
2. It is agentless
Being agentless means that you are not required to install any agent, software, extra firewall port on the host or client machine designated to be automated. For managing the network, storage and complete system, you need not set up separate infrastructure.
3. Agile and powerful
Modelling of highly sophisticated IT workflows can be done using the powerful features of Ansible. The tool has a ‘batteries included approach’ which means it is turnkey, self-sufficient, and comes accompanied with everything that is required. Numerous modules are available for managing networks, infrastructure, operating systems, services etc. This implies that the complete application environment can be orchestrated irrespective of the location of deployment.
4. Highly efficient
Since you are not required to install additional software on the server, you can allocate more resources to the applications. Ansible modules function through JSON which means its functionalities can be extended with modules that can be scripted in the programming language you are familiar with. The modules serve as the fundamental building blocks for the software which means you can customize them to suit your requirements.
5. Helps in provisioning
Ansible streamlines the process of booting and kick-starting virtual machine on Preboot eXecution Environment and creation of cloud or virtual server instances from templates. Ansible downloads the requisite packages and installs them to facilitate the provisioning of applications built in other languages like Virtual C++.
6. Manages configuration
Ansible helps in establishing and maintaining consistency of product performance as it records and updates comprehensive information describing the hardware and software of enterprise. The information relates to updates applied to installed software programs, their respective versions, network addresses and physical locations of hardware parts. Through Ansible Playbooks, you can install a new software version on all connected node machines within the enterprise without having to manually update each node. In Ansible inventory, the IP addresses of the nodes have to be listed out before running the playbook.
7. Ease of application deployment
You can facilitate teams to efficiently manage the complete lifecycle of an application from development to deployment by defining the application with Ansible and managing installation with Ansible Tower. All tasks like adding server.xml file, moving applications to apps directory, navigating to webpage etc. can be listed in Ansible playbook and it would execute them in order.
8. Easy to implement security policies
After the security policy has been defined in Ansible, you can easily scan and remedy enterprise application wide security through integration in other automated systems. The security details have to be configured once in the control machine and the same would be embedded in nodes spontaneously. The passwords and other credentials cannot be retrieved in plain text by any unauthorized user.
How Can You Become an Expert in Ansible?
Ansible training from a reputed institute would help you learn Ansible in hands-on mode through live projects under the guidance of experienced tutors with significant industry exposure. Once you learn how to align business requests with data, apps, and infrastructure, you would become proficient in automating workflows, managing change, and provisioning by defining organization-wide policies and service levels.
Ansible professionals are paid the highest among DevOps learners. The below stats would justify your demand to undertake training in Ansible.
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