Top 10 Windows Server Automation Tasks with Ansible

In today's dynamic IT landscape, automation has become a cornerstone for efficient system administration. Among the myriad of tools available, Ansible stands out for its simplicity and versatility. In this article, we will delve into the top 10 Windows Server automation tasks that can be seamlessly accomplished with Ansible. Whether you are a seasoned system administrator or a newcomer to automation, these tasks will help streamline your workflow and enhance the efficiency of your Windows Server environment.

1. Installing Software Packages:
Ansible simplifies the process of software installation on Windows Servers. Use the following playbook snippet to install software packages:

- name: Install Software
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Install Notepad++
      win_chocolatey:
        name: notepadplusplus
        state: present

This example uses Chocolatey, a package manager for Windows, to install Notepad++. Replace "notepadplusplus" with the desired package name.

2. Managing Windows Updates:
Automating Windows Updates is crucial for system security. Ansible can handle this with ease:

- name: Update Windows
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Install Windows Updates
      win_updates:
        category_names:
          - SecurityUpdates
          - UpdateRollups
        state: installed

Customize the category_names parameter based on your update preferences.

3. Configuring Firewall Rules:
Ensure the proper functioning of your applications by automating firewall rule configuration:

- name: Configure Firewall
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Allow TCP Traffic on Port 8080
      win_firewall_rule:
        name: Allow_TCP_8080
        localport: 8080
        direction: in
        action: allow
        enabled: yes

Adjust the parameters according to your specific requirements.

4. Creating User Accounts:
Simplify user management on Windows Servers using Ansible:

- name: Create User Account
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Add User
      win_user:
        name: john_doe
        password: '{{ "secretpassword" | password_hash("sha512") }}'
        state: present

Replace "john_doe" and "secretpassword" with the desired username and password.

5. Managing Services:
Automate the start, stop, or restart of services on Windows Servers:

- name: Manage Services
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Stop Service
      win_service:
        name: servicename
        state: stopped

Replace "servicename" with the name of the service you want to manage.

6. Configuring IIS:
Automate the setup of Internet Information Services (IIS) on Windows Servers:

- name: Configure IIS
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Install IIS
      win_feature:
        name: Web-Server
        state: present

Adjust the "name" parameter based on the IIS components you want to install.

7. Managing Scheduled Tasks:
Schedule tasks efficiently using Ansible:

- name: Manage Scheduled Tasks
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Create Scheduled Task
      win_scheduled_task:
        name: TaskName
        actions:
          - create: 'C:\path\to\script.ps1'
        trigger:
          daily:
            at: '12:00'
        state: present

Customize the parameters to suit your scheduling needs.

8. Configuring Active Directory Integration:
Integrate Ansible with Active Directory for seamless user management:

- name: Configure Active Directory Integration
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Add to Domain
      win_domain_membership:
        hostname: windows-server
        domainname: example.com
        username: admin
        password: admin_password
        state: domain

Replace "windows-server," "example.com," "admin," and "admin_password" with your server details.

9. Managing Registry Settings:
Automate changes to the Windows Registry using Ansible:

- name: Manage Registry Settings
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Set Registry Key
      win_regedit:
        path: HKLM:\Software\Example
        name: KeyName
        value: 'NewValue'
        type: string

Modify the parameters to match the registry key you want to configure.

10. Disk Management:
Automate disk-related tasks on Windows Servers:

- name: Disk Management
  hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Extend C Drive
      win_partition:
        drive_letter: C
        size: 10240
        state: present

Adjust the "drive_letter" and "size" parameters based on your requirements.

By leveraging Ansible, these automation tasks empower system administrators to efficiently manage and maintain Windows Server environments. The flexibility and simplicity of Ansible make it a valuable tool for achieving streamlined and consistent automation across diverse infrastructures.