Ansible

Proper Noun · Open Source

Definitions

  1. Ansible is an open-source automation tool used for configuration management, application deployment, and infrastructure provisioning. Built on Python and maintained by Red Hat, it uses a simple, human-readable language called YAML to describe automation tasks in files known as playbooks. Unlike other configuration management tools such as Puppet or Chef, Ansible is agentless, meaning it connects to managed nodes over SSH and requires no special software to be installed on them. Playbooks define the desired state of a system, and Ansible ensures that state is reached regardless of the current configuration. It supports modules for cloud platforms, networking gear, containers, and databases, making it a versatile choice for managing heterogeneous environments. Teams use Ansible to enforce consistency across hundreds or thousands of servers, automate repetitive sysadmin tasks, and integrate with CI/CD pipelines for end-to-end deployment workflows.

    In plain English: A tool for automating server and infrastructure tasks.

    Example: "They used Ansible to standardize server setup across environments."

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