Ansible
Definition
An automation platform designed for configuration management, application deployment, and task automation, simplifying IT processes and enhancing
Use Cases
- Red Hat: Automating configuration and application deployment across hybrid environments for enterprise customers — Red Hat develops and distributes Ansible and provides Ansible Automation Platform, which organizations use to standardize automation with playbooks, inventories, roles/collections, and centralized execution via Automation Controller (formerly Ansible Tower). (Helps teams reduce manual configuration work, improve consistency, and scale repeatable operations across many systems (outcomes vary by organization).)
- Mozilla: Configuration management and automation for server fleets supporting web services — Mozilla has publicly shared use of Ansible for automating system configuration and operational tasks using playbooks and roles to keep environments consistent. (Improved repeatability of server configuration and reduced manual operational effort (exact metrics depend on the specific project and time period).)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between Ansible and Terraform?
- Terraform is mainly for provisioning infrastructure (creating cloud resources like networks, VMs, and databases) using a declarative state model. Ansible is mainly for configuring systems and deploying software (install packages, edit config files, restart services) and can also orchestrate tasks. Many teams use Terraform to create infrastructure and Ansible to configure what runs on it.
- When should I use Ansible?
- Use Ansible when you need repeatable automation for configuring servers, deploying applications, enforcing security baselines, or running operational tasks across many machines. It’s especially useful when you want agentless automation (SSH/WinRM), human-readable playbooks, and the flexibility to manage hybrid environments (cloud and on‑prem).
- How much does Ansible cost?
- Ansible (the community open-source project) is free to use. Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform is a commercial product with subscription pricing that typically depends on factors like the number of managed nodes, support level, and included enterprise features (e.g., centralized management, RBAC, auditing, and certified content).
Category: software
Difficulty: advanced
Related Terms
See Also