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Ansible is an open-source IT automation tool that makes it easy to manage servers. This guide will walk you through installing Ansible, setting up SSH access using both SSH key and password, and running basic ad-hoc commands and playbooks.

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📦 1. Install Ansible

You can install Ansible via APT or PIP depending on your environment.

🔧 APT (Debian/Ubuntu)

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ansible -y

🐍 PIP (Python)

sudo apt install python3-pip -y
pip3 install --user ansible

Make sure ~/.local/bin is in your PATH.

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🛠️ 2. Verify Installation

ansible --version

Output example:

ansible [core 2.15.0]

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🔐 3. Configure SSH Access

Ansible uses SSH to communicate with remote systems. You can use either:

• SSH Key (default & secure)
• SSH Password (fallback method)

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✅ Option A: SSH Key Authentication

Generate SSH Key

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096

Press enter through all prompts.

Copy Key to Remote Server

ssh-copy-id [email protected]

Test Connection

ssh [email protected]

Create Inventory File

# host.ini
[web]
192.168.1.10 ansible_user=ubuntu

Ping Test

ansible -i host.ini web -m ping

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🔑 Option B: SSH Password Authentication

Used when SSH key is not available yet.

Create Inventory File

# inventory.ini
[linux]
192.168.1.20 ansible_user=ubuntu

Ping Test with Password Prompt

ansible -i inventory.ini web -m ping --ask-pass

You’ll be prompted for the SSH password.

You can add password directly on the inventory like this:

# inventory.ini
[linux]
192.168.1.20 ansible_user=ubuntu ansible_password=pass ansible_port=2222

Run Playbook with Password

ansible-playbook -i inventory.ini playbook.yml --ask-pass --become --ask-become-pass

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⚙️ 4. Default Policies and Sudo Access

To run tasks requiring sudo, use:

--become --ask-become-pass

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🧪 5. Ad-Hoc Commands

Run one-off commands without writing a playbook.

Install Package (APT)

ansible -i inventory.ini web -m apt -a "name=htop state=present" --become

Install Python Package (PIP)

ansible -i inventory.ini web -m pip -a "name=requests" --become

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📜 6. Create Your First Playbook

install_tools.yml

- name: Install basic tools
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Install htop
      apt:
        name: htop
        state: present
        update_cache: yes

    - name: Install requests via pip
      pip:
        name: requests

Run the Playbook

With SSH Key:

ansible-playbook -i inventory.ini install_tools.yml --become

With Password:

ansible-playbook -i inventory.ini install_tools.yml --ask-pass --become --ask-become-pass

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✅ Summary Table

Purpose	Command Example
Install via APT	sudo apt install ansible
Install via PIP	pip3 install --user ansible
Ping Test (SSH Key)	ansible -i inventory.ini all -m ping
Ping Test (Password)	ansible -i inventory.ini all -m ping --ask-pass
Sudo Ad-Hoc Command	--become
Sudo Password Prompt	--ask-become-pass
Run Playbook (SSH Key)	ansible-playbook -i inventory.ini playbook.yml --become
Run Playbook (Pass)	ansible-playbook -i inventory.ini playbook.yml --ask-pass --ask-become-pass

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💡 Tips

• Keep separate inventory files for key and password-based hosts.
• Use group_vars and ansible.cfg for more automation.
• Use --limit to target specific hosts or groups.

Source:

https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/getting_started/index.html

https://github.com/ansible/ansible

https://medium.com/@shivam2003/ansible-a-complete-guide-from-basics-to-advanced-ffd1bf74322f