What are the prerequisites for installing Ansible AWX?

Ansible AWX is a powerful open-source platform designed to make it easier to automate complex IT tasks. Whether you're managing infrastructure, deploying applications, or orchestrating workflows, AWX provides a centralized solution. However, before you embark on the journey of installing Ansible AWX, it's crucial to ensure that your environment meets certain prerequisites. In this article, we will guide you through the essential requirements and steps to set up Ansible AWX successfully.

1. System Requirements:
   Before diving into the installation process, let's take a look at the system requirements for Ansible AWX. Ensure that your system complies with the following specifications:

   • Minimum 4 GB of RAM
   • Minimum 2 CPU cores
   • Minimum 20 GB of disk space
   • CentOS, RHEL, or similar Linux distribution
   • Docker and Docker-Compose installed

2. Installing Docker and Docker-Compose:
   Ansible AWX relies on Docker containers, so it's imperative to have Docker and Docker-Compose installed on your system. Use the following commands to install them:

   # Install Docker
   sudo yum install -y docker
   
   # Start and enable Docker
   sudo systemctl start docker
   sudo systemctl enable docker
   
   # Install Docker-Compose
   sudo yum install -y docker-compose
   

3. Additional Dependencies:
   AWX requires additional dependencies such as Git and Python. Install them using the following commands:

   # Install Git and Python
   sudo yum install -y git python3-pip
   

4. Cloning the AWX Repository:
   Next, clone the AWX repository from GitHub. This step involves using Git to fetch the latest version of AWX.

   # Clone the AWX repository
   git clone https://github.com/ansible/awx.git
   

5. Configuring AWX:
   Navigate to the AWX installation directory and edit the inventory file to configure AWX settings such as the PostgreSQL database, admin username, and password.

   # Navigate to the AWX installation directory
   cd awx/installer
   
   # Edit the inventory file using a text editor
   nano inventory
   

   Modify the necessary parameters in the inventory file according to your environment.

6. Running the AWX Installer:
   After configuring the inventory file, run the AWX installer using Docker-Compose.

   # Run the AWX installer
   ansible-playbook -i inventory install.yml
   

   This command initiates the installation process, pulling the required Docker images and setting up the AWX components.

7. Accessing the AWX Web Interface:
   Once the installation is complete, access the AWX web interface by navigating to http://<your-server-IP>:8052 in your web browser. Log in with the credentials you specified in the inventory file.

More Examples:

• Monitoring and Troubleshooting:
  Explore the AWX dashboard, monitor jobs, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during execution. AWX provides detailed logs and insights into the automation processes.

• Scaling AWX:
  As your infrastructure grows, consider scaling AWX by deploying additional nodes. The AWX documentation provides guidance on scaling options and best practices.

• Integrating with External Systems:
  Extend the functionality of AWX by integrating it with external systems such as version control repositories, cloud providers, and monitoring tools. Explore the available plugins and integrations.