Ansible vault operation
Ansible Vault carries out a number of tasks. Particularly, it can
- Encrypt a file
- Decrypt a file
- View a file that is encrypted without decrypting it
- Edit a secure file.
- Create a secure file.
- Make the encrypted key or reset it.
Using Ansible Vault
Encrypting variable files is the most basic function of the Ansible vault. Any YAML file can be encrypted, but the following ones are the most frequently used ones:
- The defaults/main.yml file for a role
- The vars/main.yml file for a role
- The group vars directory's files
- Any additional file that contains variables
Encrypting an Existing File
Using the Ansible Vault, you can encrypt a typical plaintext variable file. You can specify the password required to decrypt it afterward.
#encrypt a role's defaults/main.yml file
ansible-vault encrypt defaults/main.yml
>New vault password:
>Confirm new vault password:
>Encryption successful
You will receive two password prompts from the ansible-vault command. The file will then be encrypted after that.
Creating an Encrypted File
You will receive two password prompts from the ansible-vault command. The file will then be encrypted after that.
The encrypted file is created using the ansible-vault create command.
# ansible-vault create vault.yml
Following the entry of this command. A password and a location for your material will be requested. Use the cat command to see if the file has been encrypted.
To create encrypted files using —the vault id, use the command below.
# ansible-vault create --vault-id password@prompt vault.yml
Editing Encrypted Files
Using the ansible-vault edit command, you can alter an encrypted file if you want to. Using this command will enable you to edit the file and decrypt it to a temporary file.
$ansible-vault edit <file name>
The vault password entry prompt will appear. When the file has been encrypted. A VI editor will open, allowing you to make the necessary adjustments. After saving the modifications, delete the temporary file.
Rekeying Encrypted Files
Using the rekey command, you can update the password for a vault or a file that has been encrypted with a vault.
$ansible-vault rekey <file1> <file2> <file3>
The aforementioned command can rekey many data files at once and will request both the old and new passwords.
Encrypting Unencrypted Files
Use the ansible-vault encrypt command if you want to encrypt already-existing files. Multiple files may be processed simultaneously using this command.
$ansible-vault encrypt <file1> <file2> <file3>
Decrypting Encrypted Files
Run the ansible-vault decrypt command to permanently decrypt any existing files that you no longer want to keep encrypted. They will be saved to the disc in plain text using this command.
$ansible-vault decrypt <file1> <file2> <file3>
Viewing Encrypted Files
The ansible-vault view command can be used to see an encrypted file's contents without altering it.
$ansible-vault view <file1> <file2> <file3>
Decrypt a running playbook
You often ask for the playbook's password in order to decrypt it while it is active.
# ansible-playbook --ask-vault-pass email.yml
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two important files in Ansible?
You should think about the following three key files for Ansible. Ansible.cfg file, the main file, and the host/inventory file.
How many nodes can Ansible manage?
Ansible-applicability pulls vary depending on the use case. But in general, topologies with fewer than 500 nodes nearly never require it. Whereas topologies with more than 2000 nodes frequently do.
What does Ansible's inventory file mean?
The hosts and groups of hosts that the commands, modules, and tasks in a playbook depend on. They are specified in the Ansible inventory file.
How do you check Ansible syntax?
We can use $ ansible-playbook <playbook. yml> --syntax-check command to check the playbook for syntax errors.
Conclusion
We covered the Ansible Vault in this article. We hope this article helps you to learn something new. And if you're interested in learning more, see our posts on Ansible Interview Questions Part 1, Ansible Interview Questions Part 2, 12 Best DevOps Tools To Get Acquainted With, and DevOps Interview Questions.
Visit our practice platform. Coding Ninjas Studio to practice top problems. Attempt mock tests, read interview experiences, and much more.! Feel free to upvote and share this article if it has been helpful for you.
247+ registered 
