Ansible Tower and AWX Overview

What is Ansible Tower?

Ansible Tower is a web-based interface for managing Ansible. It provides a centralized platform for managing and running Ansible playbooks, inventory, and credentials, making it easier to manage complex deployments.

What is AWX?

AWX is the open-source version of Ansible Tower. It encompasses the same features as Tower but is free to use and modify. AWX serves as a community-supported project that enables users to deploy Ansible playbooks in their environments.

Key Features

Web-based UI for easier management
Role-based access control (RBAC)
REST API for automation
Scheduling for playbook runs
Real-time job status updates

Installation

To install AWX, follow these steps:

Install Docker and Docker Compose.

Clone the AWX repository from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/ansible/awx.git

Navigate to the installer directory:

cd awx/installer

Run the installation playbook:

ansible-playbook -i inventory install.yml

Ensure you have the necessary permissions and configurations in your inventory file before running the playbook.

Note: Always test in a staging environment before deploying to production.

FAQ

What is the difference between Ansible and Ansible Tower/AWX?

Ansible is a command-line tool for automation, while Ansible Tower/AWX provides a web interface, scheduling, and role-based access control on top of Ansible.

Can I run Ansible playbooks without Ansible Tower/AWX?

Yes, you can run Ansible playbooks directly from the command line without using Tower or AWX.