Ansible Console

Synopsis

usage: ansible-console [-h] [--version] [-v] [-b]
                    [--become-method BECOME_METHOD]
                    [--become-user BECOME_USER]
                    [-K | --become-password-file BECOME_PASSWORD_FILE]
                    [-i INVENTORY] [--list-hosts] [-l SUBSET]
                    [--private-key PRIVATE_KEY_FILE] [-u REMOTE_USER]
                    [-c CONNECTION] [-T TIMEOUT]
                    [--ssh-common-args SSH_COMMON_ARGS]
                    [--sftp-extra-args SFTP_EXTRA_ARGS]
                    [--scp-extra-args SCP_EXTRA_ARGS]
                    [--ssh-extra-args SSH_EXTRA_ARGS]
                    [-k | --connection-password-file CONNECTION_PASSWORD_FILE]
                    [-C] [--syntax-check] [-D] [--vault-id VAULT_IDS]
                    [--ask-vault-password | --vault-password-file VAULT_PASSWORD_FILES]
                    [-f FORKS] [-M MODULE_PATH] [--playbook-dir BASEDIR]
                    [-e EXTRA_VARS] [--task-timeout TASK_TIMEOUT] [--step]
                    [pattern]

Commands

It can be configured at runtime, and it supports several commands:

• cd [pattern]: You can utilize host patterns like app*.dc*:!app01* to modify the host or group.
• list: the current path's list of available hosts
• list groups: groups currently on the journey are listed.
• Become: Switching on the become flag
• !: (!yum update -y) imposes the shell module rather than the Ansible module.
• verbosity [num]: set the level of verbosity
• forks [num]: select the quantity of knives
• become_user [user]:the become user setting
• remote_user [user]: configure the remote user
• become_method [method]: set the technique for privilege escalation
• check [bool]: toggle the check mode
• diff [bool]: change the diff mode
• timeout [integer]: set the task timeout in seconds (0 to disable)
• help [command/module]: display the command's or module documentation
• exit: Quit the Ansible console.

Common Option

--ask-vault-password, --ask-vault-pass

Ask for the vault's password

--become-method <BECOME_METHOD>

Using the default way of privilege escalation, sudo, and ansible-doc -t become -l will provide all viable options.

--become-password-file <BECOME_PASSWORD_FILE>, --become-pass-file <BECOME_PASSWORD_FILE>

turn into a password file

--become-user <BECOME_USER>

run actions in the context of this user ,default: root

--connection-password-file <CONNECTION_PASSWORD_FILE>, --conn-pass-file <CONNECTION_PASSWORD_FILE>

password file for connections

--list-hosts

produces a list of matching hosts but doesn't carry out any other operations.

--playbook-dir <BASEDIR>

Use this as a replacement for a playbook directory since this tool doesn't use playbooks. The relative path for several features, such as roles, group vars, etc., is set by this.

--private-key <PRIVATE_KEY_FILE>, --key-file <PRIVATE_KEY_FILE>

Utilize this file to verify the connection.

--scp-extra-args <SCP_EXTRA_ARGS>

To check the connection, use this file.

--sftp-extra-args <SFTP_EXTRA_ARGS>

only specify additional parameters to give to sftp (e.g. -f, -l)

--ssh-common-args <SSH_COMMON_ARGS>

define standard parameters for sftp, scp, and ssh (e.g., ProxyCommand)

--ssh-extra-args <SSH_EXTRA_ARGS>

only specify additional options to pass to ssh (e.g., R)

--step

one-step-at-a-time: Before beginning each task, check it.

--syntax-check

run the playbook through a syntax check but do not run it.

--task-timeout <TASK_TIMEOUT>

restrict the task's timeout in seconds; the value must be a positive integer.

--vault-id

the appropriate vault identification

--vault-password-file, --vault-pass-file

password file vault

--version

display the version number of the programs, the configuration file's location, the configured module search path, the module's location, the executable location, and the exit.

-C, --check

Don't modify anything; instead, try to anticipate some of the potential modifications

-D, --diff

Show the differences in changed (small) files and templates; works nicely with -check

-K, --ask-become-pass

ask for the password for privilege escalation

-M, --module-path

path(s) to the module library should be prepended with a colon (default: /.ansible/plugins/modules:/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules).

-T <TIMEOUT>, --timeout <TIMEOUT>

change the connection timeout in seconds (the default value is 10)

-b, --become

conduct business as become (does not imply password prompting)

-c <CONNECTION>, --connection <CONNECTION>

Useful connection type (by default, smart)

-e, --extra-vars

If the filename begins with @, add more variables as key=value or YAML/JSON.

-f <FORKS>, --forks <FORKS>

define how many parallel processes to employ (the default value is 5).

-h, --help

display this help screen, then quit

-i, --inventory, --inventory-file

specify a comma-separated host list or the inventory host path. -inventory-file is no longer supported.

-k, --ask-pass

requesting the connection password

-l <SUBSET>, --limit <SUBSET>

further limit selected hosts to a distinct pattern

-u <REMOTE_USER>, --user <REMOTE_USER>

(Default: None) Connect using this user

-v, --verbose

Ansible causes for printing extra debug messages. If you add more than one -v, the jargon will increase; at the moment, the built-in plugins evaluate up to -vvvvv. It is reasonable to start with a level of -vvv; connection debugging may require -vvvv.

Environment 

You can specify the following environment variables.

ANSIBLE_CONFIG: replace the ansible configuration file default 

There are many more options available for the majority of the Ansible.cfg settings.

Files 

/etc/ansible/ansible.cfg: used if config file is present

~/.ansible.cfg: User configuration file, if present, replaces default configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ansible in DevOps?

A tool for IT configuration management, deployment, and orchestration is called Ansible.

What is the difference between Jenkins and Ansible?

Is Ansible similar to Kubernetes?

Although both Ansible and Kubernetes are automation technologies, their roles within the software development lifecycle are distinct.

What is Ansible in AWS?

You can automate your AWS deployments using the open-source tool Ansible. You may define, distribute, and manage applications and services using automation playbooks.

What are plugins in Ansible?

Plugins are pieces of code that extend the basic capabilities of Ansible. A robust, adaptable, and expandable feature set is made possible via Ansible's plugin architecture.

Can I use Ansible in the cloud?

As easy as you can construct a single system, Ansible guarantees your cloud deployments operate flawlessly across public, private, and hybrid clouds.

Conclusion

This blog has extensively discussed Ansible Console in this article.

If you want to learn more, check out the excellent content on the Coding Ninjas Website:

Ansible Interview Questions Part 1, Ansible Interview Questions Part 2, 12 Best DevOps Tools To Get Acquainted With, and DevOps Interview Questions.

Refer to the links problems, top 100 SQL problems, resources, and mock tests to enhance your knowledge.

For placement preparations, visit interview experiences and interview bundles.

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