15 Must-Have Ansible Modules for DevOps Engineers

In the ever-evolving landscape of DevOps, automation is the linchpin that streamlines processes and enhances efficiency. Ansible, an open-source automation tool, has become a cornerstone for DevOps engineers seeking to simplify configuration management, application deployment, and task automation. In this article, we'll delve into 15 must-have Ansible modules that can significantly empower DevOps professionals in their daily workflows.

1. Setup: Installing Ansible

Before diving into the modules, let's ensure Ansible is properly installed. Use the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ansible

2. Basic Ansible Concepts

Understanding basic Ansible concepts is crucial. Ansible uses YAML syntax for its playbooks, and the core building block is a task defined in the playbook.

- name: This is a sample Ansible task
  hosts: localhost
  tasks:
    - name: This task does something
      command: echo "Hello, Ansible!"

3. File Management with 'copy' Module

DevOps often involves copying files across servers. The 'copy' module helps achieve this seamlessly:

- name: Copy a file to remote server
  hosts: web_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Transfer file
      copy:
        src: /path/to/local/file
        dest: /path/to/remote/location

4. Package Management with 'apt' Module

Managing packages is a common DevOps task. Ansible's 'apt' module simplifies package management on Debian-based systems:

- name: Ensure Nginx is installed
  hosts: web_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Install Nginx
      apt:
        name: nginx
        state: present

5. Service Management with 'systemd' Module

Controlling services is vital. The 'systemd' module allows you to manage services with ease:

- name: Ensure Nginx is running
  hosts: web_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Start Nginx
      systemd:
        name: nginx
        state: started

6. User Management with 'user' Module

Creating and managing users can be automated using the 'user' module:

- name: Ensure a user exists
  hosts: all_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Create a user
      user:
        name: john_doe
        state: present

7. Template Files with 'template' Module

The 'template' module allows you to use Jinja2 templates for file creation:

- name: Create a configuration file
  hosts: app_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Use Jinja2 template
      template:
        src: /path/to/template.j2
        dest: /etc/config.conf

8. Database Management with 'mysql_db' Module

Managing databases is a breeze with the 'mysql_db' module:

- name: Ensure a database exists
  hosts: db_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Create a database
      mysql_db:
        name: my_database
        state: present

9. Cloud Automation with 'ec2' Module

For cloud-based environments, the 'ec2' module facilitates AWS EC2 instance management:

- name: Create an EC2 instance
  hosts: aws_environment
  tasks:
    - name: Launch EC2 instance
      ec2:
        key_name: my-key
        instance_type: t2.micro
        image: ami-12345678
        state: present

10. Network Configuration with 'ios_command' Module

For network automation, Ansible provides modules like 'ios_command' for Cisco devices:

- name: Configure Cisco router
  hosts: cisco_routers
  tasks:
    - name: Set hostname
      ios_command:
        commands:
          - conf t
          - hostname MyRouter

11. Docker Containers with 'docker_container' Module

Managing Docker containers is simplified with Ansible's 'docker_container' module:

- name: Ensure a Docker container is running
  hosts: docker_hosts
  tasks:
    - name: Run a container
      docker_container:
        name: my_container
        image: my_image
        state: started

12. Git Operations with 'git' Module

Automate Git operations with the 'git' module:

- name: Clone a Git repository
  hosts: git_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Clone repo
      git:
        repo: https://github.com/example/repo.git
        dest: /path/to/local/repo

13. VMware Infrastructure with 'community.vmware.vmware_vm_vm_drs_rule' Module

For VMware environments, Ansible offers modules like 'community.vmware.vmware_vm_vm_drs_rule' for managing VM DRS rules:

- name: Ensure VM DRS rule is configured
  hosts: vmware_environment
  tasks:
    - name: Configure VM DRS rule
      community.vmware.vmware_vm_vm_drs_rule:
        cluster_name: my_cluster
        affinity_rule: true

14. Monitoring with 'nagios' Module

Integrate Ansible with Nagios for efficient monitoring:

- name: Add host to Nagios
  hosts: nagios_server
  tasks:
    - name: Add host
      nagios:
        command: add_host
        host: new_host
        state: present

15. Security Compliance with 'os_hardening' Module

Ensure security compliance using Ansible's 'os_hardening' module:

- name: Harden server security
  hosts: security_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Apply security hardening
      os_hardening:
        state: enforce

These 15 Ansible modules cover a broad spectrum of tasks, enabling DevOps engineers to automate various aspects of infrastructure management. As you explore and integrate these modules into your playbooks, you'll find your workflows becoming more efficient and your DevOps processes streamlined.