Getting Started with Ansible AWX: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ansible AWX, an open-source automation platform, offers a robust solution for managing and orchestrating complex IT tasks. Whether you are a seasoned DevOps engineer or a beginner exploring automation, this step-by-step guide will help you embark on your journey with Ansible AWX.

Understanding Ansible AWX

Ansible AWX serves as the upstream project for Red Hat Ansible Tower. It provides a web-based user interface, REST API, and task engine built on top of Ansible. This guide aims to demystify the installation and configuration process, enabling you to harness the power of Ansible AWX for your automation needs.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation, ensure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. Docker and Docker Compose: Ansible AWX is containerized using Docker, so make sure you have Docker and Docker Compose installed on your system.

2. Git: Clone the AWX repository from GitHub using Git.

git clone https://github.com/ansible/awx.git

Installing Ansible AWX

Now, let's move on to the installation process.

1. Navigate to the AWX Installation Directory:

cd awx/installer

2. Modify the Inventory File:

Edit the inventory file to customize your installation. Pay attention to variables such as awx_web_hostname and awx_alternate_dns_servers.

nano inventory

3. Run the Installation Playbook:

Execute the Ansible playbook to install AWX.

ansible-playbook -i inventory install.yml

Accessing the AWX Web Interface

Once the installation is complete, you can access the AWX web interface using a browser. Open your preferred browser and enter the URL:

http://<awx_web_hostname>/

Replace <awx_web_hostname> with the hostname you specified in the inventory file.

Configuring Ansible Projects

1. Navigate to the Projects Section:

In the AWX web interface, go to the "Projects" section and click on the "+" icon to add a new project.

2. Fill in Project Details:

Enter the necessary details, including the SCM type (Git, Mercurial, Subversion), SCM URL, and credentials.

3. Sync the Project:

Click on the project you created, then click "Sync" to fetch the playbooks from your chosen SCM.

Creating Inventories and Hosts

1. Go to Inventories:

In the AWX interface, navigate to the "Inventories" section and click on the "+" icon to add a new inventory.

2. Add Hosts to the Inventory:

Within the inventory, click on the "Hosts" tab, then click on the "+" icon to add hosts. Enter the host details and save.

Creating and Running Jobs

1. Create a Job Template:

Navigate to the "Templates" section, click on the "+" icon, and create a new job template. Specify the project, playbook, and inventory.

2. Launch the Job:

Click on the job template you created, then click "Launch." Select the inventory and click "Launch" again to execute the job.

More Examples and Advanced Features

Explore advanced features like workflows, surveys, and notifications to enhance your automation. The official Ansible AWX documentation provides in-depth information on these topics.

Congratulations! You've successfully set up Ansible AWX and executed your first automation job. As you delve deeper into the world of Ansible AWX, explore its capabilities to streamline and automate your IT operations.