my-docs/Configuration Management & Automation/Ansible/3-PlayBook.md

# Ansible Playbook Guide

Ansible Playbooks are YAML files that automate server configuration, deployment, and management. This guide provides instructions on running a playbook and includes examples to help you get started.

## Running an Ansible Playbook

To execute an Ansible Playbook, use the following command:

```bash
ansible-playbook <playbook.yaml> -i <inventory-file.ini>
```

- **`<playbook.yaml>`**: Path to your playbook file.
- **`<inventory-file.ini>`**: Path to your inventory file (can be in INI or YAML format).

## Example Playbooks

### 1. Simple APT Cache Update

This playbook updates the APT package cache on all specified hosts.

```yaml
- name: Update APT Cache Playbook
  hosts: all           # Run on all hosts defined in the inventory
  become: yes          # Use sudo for elevated privileges
  tasks:
    - name: Update apt-cache
      ansible.builtin.apt:
        update_cache: yes
```

### 2. Update APT Cache and Install Nginx

This playbook updates the APT cache and installs the Nginx web server on all specified hosts.

```yaml
- name: Install Nginx and Update APT Cache
  hosts: all           # Run on all hosts defined in the inventory
  become: yes          # Use sudo for elevated privileges
  tasks:
    - name: Update apt-cache and install Nginx
      ansible.builtin.apt:
        name: nginx
        state: present
        update_cache: yes
```

### 3. Install Nginx and Copy Configuration File

This playbook installs Nginx and copies a custom configuration file from the Ansible server to the target hosts.

```yaml
- name: Install Nginx and Copy Configuration
  hosts: all           # Run on all hosts defined in the inventory
  become: yes          # Use sudo for elevated privileges
  tasks:
    - name: Update apt-cache and install Nginx
      ansible.builtin.apt:
        name: nginx
        state: present
        update_cache: yes
        
    - name: Copy Nginx configuration file
      ansible.builtin.copy:
        src: /root/ansible/nginx.conf # Source file on Ansible server
        dest: /etc/nginx/nginx.conf   # Destination file on the target hosts
```

### 4. Full Nginx Deployment: Install, Configure, and Restart

This playbook demonstrates a full Nginx deployment, including updating the APT cache, installing Nginx, copying a configuration file, and restarting the Nginx service.

```yaml
- name: Full Nginx Deployment
  hosts: all           # Run on all hosts defined in the inventory
  become: yes          # Use sudo for elevated privileges
  tasks:
    - name: Update apt-cache and install Nginx
      ansible.builtin.apt:
        name: nginx
        state: present
        update_cache: yes
        
    - name: Copy Nginx configuration file
      ansible.builtin.copy:
        src: /root/ansible/nginx.conf
        dest: /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
      notify: Restart Nginx # Triggers the handler to restart Nginx

  handlers:
    - name: Restart Nginx
      ansible.builtin.service:
        name: nginx
        state: restarted
```

## Key Components Explained

- **`hosts: all`**: Specifies that the playbook should run on all hosts listed in the inventory file.
- **`become: yes`**: Ensures tasks requiring elevated privileges (sudo) are executed as the root user.
- **Tasks**:
  - **`Update apt-cache`**: Uses the APT module to update the package cache.
  - **`Install Nginx`**: Installs the Nginx web server.
  - **`Copy Configuration File`**: Copies a custom configuration file to the appropriate directory on the target hosts.
  - **`Restart Nginx`**: Restarts the Nginx service to apply the new configuration.

## Running the Playbooks

Save the desired playbook as a YAML file (e.g., `deploy_nginx.yaml`), and run it using:

```bash
ansible-playbook deploy_nginx.yaml -i inventory.ini
```

Ensure that your inventory file (`inventory.ini`) includes all necessary hosts and connection details.

## Additional Examples

### Show Debug Message

Use the `debug` module to display a message during playbook execution. This is useful for testing or providing feedback within your playbooks.

```yaml
- name: Show Debug Message
  ansible.builtin.debug:
    msg: "Test Message"
```

### Use a Shell Command

Run a shell command and capture the output for further use within the playbook.

```yaml
- name: Execute Shell Command
  ansible.builtin.shell:
    cmd: echo "Hello, Ansible!"
  register: shell_output # Register the command output as a variable

- name: Display Shell Output
  ansible.builtin.debug:
    msg: "Output is: {{ shell_output.stdout }}" # Display the command output
```

### Playbook with Conditional Statements

This playbook demonstrates the use of conditional statements to check if a file exists and take action based on the result.

```yaml
- name: Check if File Exists
  ansible.builtin.shell:
    cmd: ls /path/to/file
  register: file_output
  ignore_errors: yes

- name: File Exists
  ansible.builtin.debug:
    msg: "File exists"
  when: file_output.rc == 0 # Only runs if the previous command was successful

- name: File Does Not Exist
  ansible.builtin.debug:
    msg: "File does not exist"
  when: file_output.rc != 0 # Runs if the previous command failed
```

### Check File Existence Using the `stat` Module

A more reliable method to check if a file exists using the `stat` module.

```yaml
- name: Check if File Exists
  ansible.builtin.stat:
    path: /path/to/file
  register: file_stat

- name: File Exists
  ansible.builtin.debug:
    msg: "File exists"
  when: file_stat.stat.exists # Checks if the file exists

- name: File Does Not Exist
  ansible.builtin.debug:
    msg: "File does not exist"
  when: not file_stat.stat.exists # Checks if the file does not exist
```

### Standalone Nginx Installation

This playbook installs Nginx on both Debian-based and RedHat-based systems by detecting the operating system family.

```yaml
- name: Install Nginx
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Install on Debian-based systems
      ansible.builtin.apt:
        name: nginx
        state: present
      when: ansible_facts['os_family'] == "Debian" # Conditional based on OS family

    - name: Install on RedHat-based systems
      ansible.builtin.yum:
        name: nginx
        state: present
      when: ansible_facts['os_family'] == "RedHat" # Conditional based on OS family
```

### Create a User

This playbook checks if a user exists and creates the user if it does not.

```yaml
- name: Manage User Account
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Check if user exists
      ansible.builtin.command:
        cmd: id new_user
      register: user_data
      ignore_errors: yes

    - name: Create user
      ansible.builtin.user:
        name: new_user
        state: present
      when: user_data.rc != 0 # Only create the user if they do not already exist
```

### Install Multiple Packages

These examples show how to install multiple packages, either using a loop or as a list.

#### Using a Loop:

```yaml
- name: Install Multiple Packages with Loop
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Install packages
      ansible.builtin.apt:
        name: "{{ item }}"
        state: present
      loop:
        - vim
        - git
        - nginx
```

#### Using a List:

```yaml
- name: Install Multiple Packages as a List
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Install packages
      ansible.builtin.apt:
        name: ["vim", "nginx", "git"]
        state: present
```

### Create Multiple Users

This playbook creates multiple users with different groups.

```yaml
- name: Create Multiple Users
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Create users
      ansible.builtin.user:
        name: "{{ item.name }}"
        group: "{{ item.group }}"
        state: "{{ item.state }}"
      loop:
        - { name: "radin", state: "present", group: "sudo" }
        - { name: "test", state: "present", group: "dev" }
        - { name: "test2", state: "present", group: "test_unit" }
```