How to Configure Ansible to Work with Jenkins?

In the dynamic landscape of DevOps, the seamless integration of tools is essential for efficient automation and collaboration. One such powerful duo is Ansible and Jenkins. Ansible, an open-source automation tool, and Jenkins, a widely-used automation server, together can streamline and enhance your continuous integration and deployment processes. This article will guide you through the process of configuring Ansible to work harmoniously with Jenkins, ensuring a robust and automated workflow.

Setting the Stage:
Before diving into the configuration, ensure that both Ansible and Jenkins are installed on your system. If not, you can install them using the following commands:

# Install Ansible
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ansible

# Install Jenkins
sudo apt update
sudo apt install jenkins

Now, let's proceed with the configuration.

Configuring Ansible in Jenkins:

1. Install Ansible Plugin:

   • Open your Jenkins dashboard.
   • Navigate to 'Manage Jenkins' > 'Manage Plugins.'
   • In the 'Available' tab, search for 'Ansible' and install the 'Ansible' plugin.

2. Configure Ansible in Global Tool Configuration:

   • Head to 'Manage Jenkins' > 'Global Tool Configuration.'
   • Find the 'Ansible installations' section and click 'Add Ansible.'
   • Provide a name and set the 'Path to Ansible executable' with the path to your Ansible installation (e.g., /usr/bin/ansible).
   • Save the configuration.

Creating a Jenkins Job with Ansible:

1. Create a New Jenkins Job:

   • Click on 'New Item' on the Jenkins dashboard.
   • Enter a name for your job and select 'Freestyle project.'
   • Click 'OK' to create the job.

2. Configure Source Code Management (SCM):

   • Choose your preferred SCM system (e.g., Git).
   • Provide the repository URL and credentials if required.

3. Add a Build Step using Ansible:

   • In the job configuration, find the 'Build' section.
   • Click on 'Add build step' and choose 'Invoke Ansible Playbook.'
   • Specify the 'Playbook Path' and any additional parameters.

4. Configure Ansible Playbook Execution:

   • Define the path to your Ansible playbook relative to your repository.
   • Set any required playbook options and inventory file.

Example Ansible Playbook:

# playbook.yml
---
- name: Configure Web Server
  hosts: web_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Ensure Apache is installed
      apt:
        name: apache2
        state: present
      become: yes

Build and Monitor:
Save your Jenkins job configuration and build the project. Jenkins will trigger the Ansible playbook, and you can monitor the progress from the Jenkins console.

Congratulations! You've successfully configured Ansible to work with Jenkins, paving the way for streamlined automation in your CI/CD pipeline. This integration enhances collaboration, reduces manual intervention, and promotes a more efficient development lifecycle.