How to Install Ansible on a Windows Machine?

Ansible is a powerful open-source automation tool that simplifies configuration management, application deployment, and task automation. While traditionally associated with Unix-like systems, installing Ansible on a Windows machine may seem a bit unconventional. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to set up Ansible on your Windows environment, enabling you to leverage its capabilities for streamlined automation.

Prerequisites:

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

1. Windows Operating System:

   • Ansible is compatible with Windows 10, Windows Server 2012, and newer versions.

2. Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL):

   • WSL allows you to run a Linux distribution on your Windows machine. Follow the official Microsoft documentation to install WSL.

Step 1: Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL):

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following command to enable WSL:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Step 2: Install a Linux Distribution:

Choose a Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store, such as Ubuntu, and install it.

Step 3: Set Up a Linux User:

Once the Linux distribution is installed, open it, and set up a user account. Remember the credentials; you'll need them later.

Step 4: Update and Upgrade:

Update the package lists and upgrade the existing packages on your Linux subsystem:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 5: Install Ansible:

Install Ansible using the package manager:

sudo apt install ansible -y

Step 6: Verify Ansible Installation:

Confirm that Ansible is installed correctly by checking its version:

ansible --version

You should see details about the installed Ansible version, indicating a successful installation.

Additional Configuration (Optional):

Configure Ansible Hosts File:

Edit the Ansible hosts file to specify the managed hosts. Open the file in a text editor:

sudo nano /etc/ansible/hosts

Add the IP addresses or hostnames of your managed machines.

More Examples:

Now that Ansible is set up on your Windows machine, explore its capabilities with these examples:

1. Ping all Hosts:

   ansible all -m ping
   

2. Run a Basic Command:

   ansible all -a "ls -la"
   

3. Install a Package:

   ansible all -m apt -a "name=nginx state=present"  # For Debian-based systems
   

   ansible all -m yum -a "name=nginx state=present"  # For Red Hat-based systems
   

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Ansible on your Windows machine and executed some basic commands.