Learn ANSIBLE with Real Code Examples

Ansible automates repetitive IT tasks across servers, cloud, and network devices.

Uses declarative YAML playbooks for configuration and orchestration.

Agentless architecture via SSH (or WinRM for Windows).

Integrates with cloud providers, CI/CD pipelines, and container platforms.

Supports modular roles, collections, and reusable task libraries for enterprise automation.

Playbooks - automation scripts in YAML

Roles - reusable, modular task sets

Inventory - list of managed hosts

Modules - units of work (file, package, user, etc.)

Ansible Galaxy - community role and collection marketplace

Inventory - defines hosts/groups

Playbook - YAML automation script

Tasks - atomic actions using modules

Roles - modular and reusable tasks, handlers, and templates

Handlers - tasks triggered on state changes

Inventories (hosts.ini or YAML)

Playbooks (main.yml, deploy.yml, etc.)

Roles (tasks, templates, defaults, vars)

Collections (community modules and plugins)

Group_vars/host_vars for configuration

Define inventory and groups

Write playbook YAML

Include tasks, handlers, and roles

Test playbook with --check and --diff

Deploy using ansible-playbook command

Beginner: Install packages on a single server

Intermediate: Configure multiple web servers with roles

Advanced: Orchestrate multi-tier applications across cloud

Expert: Network automation with templates and API modules

Architect: CI/CD pipeline integration with dynamic inventories

Ansible vs Puppet: agentless vs agent-based

Ansible vs Chef: YAML playbooks vs Ruby DSL

Ansible vs Terraform: configuration management vs infrastructure provisioning

Ansible vs SaltStack: simplicity vs scale and speed

Ansible vs CFEngine: modern features and community vs legacy automation

2012 - Ansible 1.0 released

2014 - Ansible 1.5 major improvements

2015 - Ansible Tower open-source release

2017 - Ansible 2.x with major refactoring

2020+ - Ansible 4.x+ modern modules and Collections ecosystem

Playbook - YAML automation script

Role - reusable set of tasks and configurations

Inventory - list of hosts/groups

Module - unit of work for a task

Handler - task triggered by state changes