Ansible Modules Overview

Introduction

Ansible is an open-source automation tool that simplifies cloud provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment. At the core of Ansible's functionality are modules.

What are Ansible Modules?

Ansible modules are reusable, standalone scripts that Ansible runs. They can manage system resources, install packages, configure services, and perform various tasks on target machines.

Types of Ansible Modules

Modules can be categorized based on their functionality:

• Core Modules: Included with Ansible and maintained by the Ansible community.
• Extras Modules: Additional modules that are not part of the core but useful for specific tasks.
• Custom Modules: User-defined modules tailored for specific needs.

Using Ansible Modules

Modules can be invoked directly in Ansible playbooks or through ad-hoc commands. Here’s how you can use a module:

Using a Module in a Playbook

- hosts: all
  tasks:
    - name: Install nginx
      apt:
        name: nginx
        state: present
            

Using a Module with Ad-Hoc Commands

ansible all -m apt -a "name=nginx state=present"
            

Best Practices

When working with Ansible modules, consider the following best practices:

1. Use the latest version of Ansible to access new features and modules.
2. Test modules in a safe environment before deploying to production.
3. Leverage Ansible Galaxy for reusable roles and modules.

FAQ