Which Ansible Modules Are Commonly Used for Jenkins Automation?

In the dynamic landscape of DevOps, automation plays a pivotal role in streamlining workflows and improving efficiency. Ansible, a powerful open-source automation tool, integrates seamlessly with Jenkins, a popular automation server. This article explores the Ansible modules commonly employed for Jenkins automation, providing insights, commands, and step-by-step instructions for a comprehensive understanding.

1. Getting Started with Ansible and Jenkins Integration:
   To initiate Jenkins automation with Ansible, ensure both tools are installed and accessible. Begin by configuring the necessary Ansible settings and permissions.

2. Jenkins Job Creation Using the Ansible 'jenkins_job' Module:
   The 'jenkins_job' module facilitates the creation and management of Jenkins jobs. Use the following command as a template to create a job:

   ansible localhost -m jenkins_job -a "name=MyJob config.xml=@path/to/config.xml"
   

3. Managing Jenkins Plugins with 'jenkins_plugin' Module:
   Efficiently handle Jenkins plugins using the 'jenkins_plugin' module. Install or uninstall plugins as needed with commands like:

   ansible localhost -m jenkins_plugin -a "name=plugin-name state=present"
   ansible localhost -m jenkins_plugin -a "name=plugin-name state=absent"
   

4. Securing Jenkins Credentials with 'jenkins_credentials' Module:
   Securely manage Jenkins credentials using the 'jenkins_credentials' module. The command below demonstrates how to add or remove credentials:

   ansible localhost -m jenkins_credentials -a "username=admin password=admin description='Admin credentials' state=present"
   ansible localhost -m jenkins_credentials -a "username=admin state=absent"
   

5. Configuring Jenkins Nodes Using 'jenkins_node' Module:
   Scale your Jenkins infrastructure by utilizing the 'jenkins_node' module. Add or remove nodes with commands such as:

   ansible localhost -m jenkins_node -a "name=Node-1 node_description='First Jenkins Node' remote_fs='/var/jenkins' num_executors=2 state=present"
   ansible localhost -m jenkins_node -a "name=Node-1 state=absent"
   

6. Triggering Jenkins Jobs with 'jenkins_job_trigger' Module:
   Automate job triggering using the 'jenkins_job_trigger' module. Use the following command to trigger a job:

   ansible localhost -m jenkins_job_trigger -a "name=MyJob state=build"
   

7. Advanced Automation with 'jenkins_script' Module:
   For advanced automation tasks, the 'jenkins_script' module allows the execution of Groovy scripts. Execute scripts with commands like:

   ansible localhost -m jenkins_script -a "script='println(\"Hello, Jenkins!\")'"
   

More Examples:
Explore additional examples and use cases in the Ansible documentation to customize automation according to your specific Jenkins requirements.