Managing Ansible with AWX and Ansible Tower

Get hands-on with AWX and Ansible Tower, automating IT tasks and streamlining operations with both basic and advanced.

This entire course module is based on AWX, the open-source version of Ansible Tower.

A good way to start learning is by using AWX, as it serves as the foundation for Ansible Tower.

• Ansible AWX is the open-source version of Ansible Tower, which is a web-based interface for managing Ansible automation.

• Ansible AWX is supported by the community, which means there is no official help if you run into problems.

• Ansible AWX has all the basic features to manage automation tasks but doesn’t have some advanced features like security tools or reporting.
  

• Ansible Tower is the commercial (paid) version of AWX, with extra features that businesses need.

• Ansible Tower comes with customer support from the company behind Ansible (Red Hat), which can help if you run into issues.

• Ansible Tower has more advanced features like security tools, better reporting, and the ability to handle larger and more complex environments.
  

Ansible Tower requires a valid subscription to run on CentOS 8 or 9. Ansible Tower is not free. It is a commercial product that requires a license to use.

Introduction

• An Overview of Ansible AWX/Tower.

• Features of Ansible AWX.

• Features of Ansible Tower.

• Similarities Between Ansible AWX and Ansible Tower.

• Key Differences Between Ansible AWX and Ansible Tower.

• When to Use Ansible AWX vs. Ansible Tower.

VM Setup for Ansible AWX Installation

• Ansible AWX Installation: A Comprehensive Overview

• Ansible AWX Setup

• Ansible AWX VM Setup with Oracle VM

• Ubuntu 24.04 Installation on Oracle VM

• Update and Configure the VM

• Access VMs Using MobaXterm

Installation of Ansible AWX

• Set Up Docker on Ubuntu

• Install and Configure Minikube Cluster on Ubuntu

• Install Kubectl Command-Line Tool

• Initialize the Minikube Cluster

• Configure the Minikube Cluster

• Deploy Ansible AWX via Operator

• Create a awx-ubuntu.yml file

• Access the Dashboard from the Ubuntu System

• Access the Dashboard from Outside the Ubuntu System

Ansible AWX Dashboard: Introduction and Overview

• Navigating the Ansible AWX Dashboard

• Ansible AWX Dashboard: Key Features and Functionality

• Ansible AWX Dashboard: Access Section

Client Setup for Ansible AWX: A Step-by-Step Guide

• SSH and User Setup for AWX Client Integration

• Passwordless Authentication for AWX-Client Integration

Ansible AWX: Organization, Project Setup, and Troubleshooting Lab

• Lab Session Overview: Key Concepts and Practical Exercises

• Create Organization in AWX

• Create a Project

• Troubleshooting Project Creation Warning

• Set Up Credentials

• Create an Inventory

• Run Command - Test Ping Connectivity

• Run Command - Check OS Version

Ansible AWX Templates

• Introduction to AWX Templates: Key Concepts and Usage

• Create and Place Ansible Playbook in Directory

• Create Job Template: MyFirstJobTemplate

• Launch the Template

Cross-Platform Nginx Package Installation with Ansible AWX

• Overview of Playbook for Nginx Installation

• Create a new Playbook Directory

• Copy Ansible Playbook to Playbook Directory

• Create New Job Template

• Run Job Template and Verify Nginx on Clients

Ansible AWX Integration with Git

• AWX and Git Integration: A Complete Overview

• Create a Project Using Git as Source Control

• Create a new Inventory

• Add Hosts to Inventory Using a Git Repository

• Create New Job Template

• Launch the Template

• Run Another Playbook with the Same Job Template

• Sync a Git Repository from Your Project

• Add and Configure Schedules in Your Project

• Execute a Playbook via AWX

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

• How RBAC Works in AWX: An Overview

• Different User Types in AWX

• Organizations in AWX: Key Functions and Roles

• Create a Normal User

• Create a System Auditor User

• Create a System Administrator User

• Add Permissions to access Job Template

• Add Permissions to access Inventory

• Create New Team

• Manage Teams: Adding Users to a Team in AWX

• Configuring Team Memberships

• Assign Roles to Teams

Ansible AWX Setup in the AWS Cloud