Step-by-Step Guide to Using Ansible on Windows

In the realm of automation and configuration management, Ansible stands tall as an open-source tool that simplifies the process of managing and deploying software applications. While traditionally associated with Linux environments, Ansible has evolved to be cross-platform, including robust support for Windows. In this step-by-step guide, we will delve into the intricacies of using Ansible on a Windows environment, empowering users to harness the full potential of this powerful automation tool.

1. Setting up Ansible on Windows:

   Before embarking on the automation journey, the first step is to install Ansible on your Windows machine. Ansible can be installed using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or through a native Windows installation.

   # Install Ansible using WSL
   wsl sudo apt-get update
   wsl sudo apt-get install ansible
   

   # Install Ansible on Windows
   pip install ansible
   

2. Configuring Ansible:

   Once installed, Ansible needs to be configured to recognize your Windows hosts. The configuration file, usually located at /etc/ansible/ansible.cfg or C:\ProgramDatansiblensible.cfg, can be customized to suit your environment.

   [defaults]
   inventory = C:\Path	o\your\inventoryile
   

3. Creating an Ansible Inventory:

   Ansible uses an inventory file to keep track of the hosts it manages. Create a simple inventory file listing the Windows hosts you want to manage.

   [windows_hosts]
   windows_machine1
   windows_machine2
   

4. Testing the Connection:

   Before diving into automation tasks, ensure that Ansible can connect to your Windows hosts. The ansible command with the -m flag for the win_ping module can be used for a quick connectivity test.

   ansible windows_hosts -m win_ping
   

Commands:

• Running Basic Commands:

  Now that your setup is complete, let's explore some basic Ansible commands for Windows.

  # Run a command on Windows machines
  ansible windows_hosts -m win_shell -a "Get-Service"
  
  # Install a software package
  ansible windows_hosts -m win_chocolatey -a "name=firefox state=present"
  
  # Execute PowerShell script
  ansible windows_hosts -m win_shell -a "script.ps1"
  

• Managing Windows Services:

  Ansible simplifies service management on Windows. For instance, starting and stopping services becomes a breeze.

  # Start a service
  ansible windows_hosts -m win_service -a "name=serviceName state=started"
  
  # Stop a service
  ansible windows_hosts -m win_service -a "name=serviceName state=stopped"
  

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Install Ansible on Windows:

   • Choose between WSL or native installation.
   • Follow the provided commands for installation.

2. Configure Ansible:

   • Edit the configuration file to point to your inventory.

3. Create an Ansible Inventory:

   • List your Windows hosts in an inventory file.

4. Test the Connection:

   • Ensure connectivity using the win_ping module.

5. Run Basic Commands:

   • Execute commands, install software, and run PowerShell scripts.

6. Manage Windows Services:

   • Start and stop services effortlessly.

More Examples:

1. Deploying Applications:

   Ansible excels in application deployment. Consider the following example of deploying a web application on Windows hosts.

   - name: Deploy Web App
     hosts: windows_hosts
     tasks:
       - name: Copy files
         win_copy:
           src: /path/to/webapp
           dest: C:\WebApp
   
       - name: Start IIS
         win_service:
           name: W3SVC
           state: started
   

2. Configuring Windows Firewall:

   Ansible can manage Windows Firewall settings efficiently.

   - name: Allow Port 80
     hosts: windows_hosts
     tasks:
       - name: Allow Inbound Port 80
         win_firewall_rule:
           name: AllowPort80
           direction: in
           protocol: tcp
           localport: 80
           action: allow