Automation with Ansible - Hands-on DevOps

Packt via Coursera

Go to class Write review

Details

Go to class

Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

12 hours 1 minute
Sessions

On-Demand
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

Coursera Flash Sale

40% Off Coursera Plus for 3 Months!

Grab it

This course features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. This course teaches you to automate IT infrastructure management using Ansible. You’ll start by learning Ansible concepts and installation, then move on to managing inventories, creating playbooks, and automating tasks. Real-world examples will show how Ansible scales infrastructure, from setting up apps to automating updates. Explore topics like roles, collections, and AWX to structure and manage workflows. Learn to securely handle sensitive data with Ansible Vault. Using conditionals, loops, and handlers, you’ll refine automation tasks for complex environments. Troubleshooting techniques will also be covered to optimize automation. Ideal for DevOps engineers, system administrators, and IT professionals, this course is Intermediate level and includes practical exercises. By the end of the course, you will be able to automate infrastructure, create scalable playbooks, manage sensitive data securely with Ansible Vault, and use Ansible AWX for automation management.

Syllabus

Course Introduction

In this module, we will provide an overview of the course and lay the groundwork for your Ansible journey. You will get a clear understanding of the course's objectives and how the lessons will guide you in mastering Ansible for automation. We’ll also discuss the practical applications of what you will be learning throughout the course.

Introduction to Automation with Ansible

In this module, we will dive deep into the world of Ansible, exploring its role in automation. You’ll learn key foundational concepts and how Ansible simplifies automation tasks. Additionally, we’ll introduce the fundamental terminologies, setup requirements, and the tools Ansible uses, laying the foundation for a deeper exploration.

Ansible Installation and Configuration

In this module, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing and configuring Ansible on your machine. From setting up the environment to configuring passwordless SSH authentication and validating your installation, you’ll be ready to execute Ansible automation tasks. This section is essential for ensuring that your environment is set up correctly for successful automation.

Ansible Inventory

In this module, we will dive into Ansible inventory, exploring its essential role in automation. You will learn how to organize hosts and groups, manage inventory files, and leverage variables to make your automation more dynamic. Practical demonstrations will help you understand how to effectively manage and utilize inventory.

Ansible Modules & Adhoc Tasks

In this module, you’ll learn about the powerful Ansible modules that facilitate automation tasks. We’ll show you how to execute ad-hoc tasks and commands for quick results, giving you the flexibility to handle immediate automation needs. You’ll also explore how to access Ansible's documentation to find the right modules for your tasks.

Ansible Playbooks

In this module, you’ll discover the power of Ansible playbooks—scripts that define automation tasks. We’ll guide you through writing your first playbook, understanding its YAML structure, and leveraging advanced features. By the end of this section, you'll be able to create playbooks that automate complex tasks like Docker and MySQL setups.

Ansible for Windows

In this module, we’ll introduce Ansible’s capabilities for managing Windows-based systems. You’ll learn how to configure and manage Windows nodes, write and execute Windows-specific playbooks, and run ad-hoc tasks. By the end of the section, you’ll be equipped to automate Windows environments with Ansible.

Variables, Magic Variables and Facts in Ansible

In this module, we will explore Ansible's powerful variable system, including magic variables and facts. You’ll learn how to define and use variables within your playbooks and dynamically retrieve system information using Ansible facts. We will also demonstrate how to disable facts gathering for more efficient playbook execution.

Conditionals, Loops and Handlers

In this module, we’ll focus on making your playbooks more dynamic and efficient with conditionals, loops, and handlers. You will learn how to control the flow of your playbooks using conditionals, perform repetitive tasks with loops, and trigger actions automatically with handlers. This module will help you write smarter, more flexible Ansible playbooks.

Ansible Roles

In this module, we’ll explore Ansible roles, a powerful feature for structuring your playbooks and automation tasks. You’ll learn how to create and manage roles to improve the maintainability of your playbooks. This module also covers role dependencies and how to work with variables and defaults in roles.

Ansible Collections

In this module, we’ll introduce Ansible Collections, which allow you to extend the functionality of Ansible. You will learn how to install and manage collections, as well as how to incorporate them into your playbooks. This section will provide you with the tools to expand your automation tasks by leveraging community-contributed and custom collections.

Ansible Galaxy

In this module, we will explore Ansible Galaxy, a platform for sharing and discovering Ansible roles and collections. You’ll learn how to use Galaxy to find existing automation resources, as well as how to contribute your own roles. This section is key for leveraging the power of the Ansible community to enhance your workflows.

Ansible Vault

In this module, we will introduce Ansible Vault, a tool for encrypting sensitive information in your playbooks. You’ll learn how to securely handle passwords, keys, and other sensitive data by encrypting variables and files. This section will equip you with the knowledge to protect your automation tasks and data.

Troubleshooting Ansible

In this module, we will focus on troubleshooting Ansible playbooks and automation tasks. You’ll learn how to use tools like --syntax-check, ansible-lint, and debug modules to diagnose and resolve issues. By the end of this section, you’ll be equipped with the troubleshooting skills needed to ensure smooth automation operations.

Ansible AWX - Web-Based User Interface for Ansible

In this module, we will introduce Ansible AWX, a user-friendly web interface for managing Ansible automation. You’ll learn how to install AWX, set it up on Kubernetes, and use it to run tasks and playbooks. This section will give you a new perspective on managing Ansible tasks through an intuitive web interface.

Conclusion

In this module, we will summarize everything you’ve learned throughout the course, ensuring you have a solid foundation in Ansible automation. We will also discuss next steps for applying your new skills in real-world environments and explore further learning opportunities in DevOps and automation.