Ansible has become one of the most popular tools in IT automation due to its simplicity and very agentless architecture, as well as versatile applications.
While most of the organizations are adopting automation for managing complex infrastructures, skills in Ansible have become highly sought after.
This guide is ideal for those who are preparing for a job interview and would like to deepen their knowledge about Ansible. We have listed common interview questions on Ansible.
These Ansible interview questions and answers cover from the basic to advanced concepts, and also show the correct method of answering scenario based Ansible interview questions.
Whether you are a fresher or an experienced professional with 5+ years of experience, these latest Ansible interview questions will help you learn the latest industry trends of Ansible.
1. Ansible Interview Questions for Freshers 2. Intermediate Level Ansible Interview Questions |
Here are some basic Ansible interview questions and answers that are asked to beginners with 0 years of experience to test their fundamental knowledge about Ansible.
Ansible is an open-source IT automation tool that simplifies configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration tasks. It enables you to define configurations in human-readable YAML syntax, allowing for consistent deployments across multiple systems. Ansible is agentless, connecting over SSH to execute commands, and doesn’t require additional software on managed nodes. This architecture helps organizations streamline their IT operations, reducing manual tasks and improving overall efficiency.
Ansible’s architecture consists of a control node (a machine where Ansible is installed) that manages one or more managed nodes (target machines) over SSH connections. The control node executes playbooks, which contain task definitions, by running modules on the managed nodes. Modules are scripts (usually Python) that Ansible uses to perform specific tasks like installing packages, managing services, or handling files. Since Ansible doesn’t require agents, it’s simple to deploy and minimizes maintenance on target nodes.
An Inventory file is where Ansible keeps track of the nodes it will manage, listing hostnames or IP addresses grouped into logical sets for efficient targeting. Inventory files can be static (defined in `hosts` or `inventory` files) or dynamic (generated by scripts or plugins to retrieve resources from cloud providers). The inventory also allows for variable definitions at host and group levels, making it versatile for handling diverse environments.
Playbooks are YAML files in which Ansible configurations and tasks are defined. Playbooks consist of one or more plays, each targeting specific hosts or groups. Main components include:
1. Hosts: Specifies the target hosts.
2. Tasks: Describes actions to execute, such as package installation or configuration updates.
3. Variables: Store dynamic values for reuse across tasks.
4. Handlers: Executed only when triggered by a task, often used for actions like restarting services.
5. Roles: Modular units that group related tasks and files, making playbooks more organized and reusable.
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization format used for defining configurations. Ansible uses YAML because it is simple, easy to read, and naturally indented, which fits well with Ansible’s goal of making configuration and task automation accessible to IT teams. YAML makes it intuitive to structure playbooks, allowing users to define tasks, variables, and conditions concisely.
Ad-hoc commands are simple one-liner commands run directly in the command line for quick, immediate actions (e.g., `ansible all -m ping` to check connectivity). Playbooks, on the other hand, are structured YAML files with a series of defined tasks for more complex and repeatable workflows. Ad-hoc commands are ideal for quick operations, while playbooks are better for comprehensive, organized automation.
Modules are reusable units of code (usually in Python) that Ansible uses to perform specific functions on target nodes. Ansible provides a wide range of built-in modules for tasks like package management, service control, and user management. Custom modules can also be written to extend functionality. Modules execute on the target machine and communicate their results back to the control node.
Handlers are tasks that run only when triggered by other tasks with a `notify` directive. They are often used for actions that should only happen if a preceding task changes something on the target node, such as restarting a service after a configuration file is updated. This feature helps ensure changes are applied only when necessary.
Facts are system variables automatically collected by Ansible at the start of a playbook execution. They provide detailed information about the managed nodes, such as IP addresses, memory, and OS details. Facts are stored as variables and can be used in playbooks to conditionally execute tasks based on the system properties of each host.
Ansible Vault is a tool for encrypting sensitive data, like passwords or API keys, used in Ansible playbooks. Using `ansible-vault`, users can create, edit, or view encrypted files, which ensures that sensitive information remains secure in source control. The encrypted files are decrypted at runtime, allowing for secure handling of confidential data.
Variables in Ansible allow for dynamic values in playbooks, making configurations more flexible. Variables can be defined at various levels, such as inventory files, within playbooks, or in external variable files, and they can also be passed at runtime. They’re essential for adapting playbooks across different environments by storing values like paths, hostnames, or package names.
Ansible uses the `when` keyword to apply conditions to tasks, allowing them to run only if certain conditions are met. Conditions can be based on facts, variables, or other criteria, making it possible to tailor tasks to specific hosts or environments. For instance, you could use a conditional to install a package only on Debian-based systems.
Tags in Ansible label tasks so they can be selectively executed. For example, if you want to test only a subset of tasks within a playbook, you can add tags to those tasks and then run the playbook with the `--tags` option. Tags streamline testing and partial execution, which can save time and improve efficiency.
By default, Ansible connects to managed nodes over SSH. You can specify the SSH user with the `-u` option or configure connection details in the inventory file. Ansible also supports various connection methods (e.g., paramiko, local), but SSH is preferred for its simplicity and security.
Fact gathering can be disabled in Ansible by setting `gather_facts: no` at the start of a play. Disabling fact gathering can improve performance for tasks that don’t need system information, especially when running large playbooks across many hosts.
The following are a few intermediate level questions that you can expect during an interview
Roles are a way to organize playbooks into reusable, structured components. Each role contains related tasks, files, templates, variables, and handlers within a specific directory structure. This modular approach enables users to share and reuse roles across multiple projects, simplifying complex playbooks and making them easier to manage.
Roles can be created using `ansible-galaxy init
Ansible Galaxy is a repository where users can find and share Ansible roles. It simplifies importing reusable roles created by the community. Users can download roles with `ansible-galaxy install
Variables can be passed in multiple ways, such as defining them in playbooks, inventory files, or separate variable files. They can also be passed at runtime using the `--extra-vars` (`-e`) option (e.g., `ansible-playbook playbook.yml -e "var=value"`), providing flexibility for different environments or configurations.
In Ansible, `include` and `import` both incorporate additional tasks, but `include` is dynamic, and `import` is static. The `import` directive processes tasks at parse time, while `include` processes tasks at runtime. This difference allows for conditionally including tasks using `include`.
Ansible allows you to control error handling using strategies like `ignore_errors`, `failed_when`, and `any_errors_fatal`. Setting `ignore_errors: yes` lets tasks continue even if they fail, while `failed_when` lets you define custom failure conditions. For critical tasks where errors should stop the playbook, you can use `any_errors_fatal: true`.
Delegation lets you run a task on a different host than the one specified in `hosts`. This is achieved using the `delegate_to` directive. For instance, if you’re installing a package on multiple web servers but want to log the installation on a central server, you could delegate the logging task to the central server.
`ansible-pull` is a command that allows a managed node to pull configurations from a central Git repository. Instead of pushing playbooks from the control node, `ansible-pull` clones the repository on the node itself and applies the playbook locally. It’s often used for environments where nodes are not always connected to the control machine or in large environments where pull-based configuration makes more sense.
Callbacks in Ansible are custom Python scripts that allow you to extend Ansible’s functionality by hooking into events during playbook execution. They can be used for tasks like custom logging, notification systems, or real-time tracking. Ansible provides several built-in callbacks (e.g., JSON logging, profiling), and users can create custom ones to tailor Ansible’s behavior to their needs.
Local actions are tasks executed on the control node instead of the managed node, allowing you to perform actions locally even while targeting remote hosts. They are specified with `local_action` or `delegate_to: localhost`. This can be useful for tasks like generating reports, collecting local information, or initiating SSH tunnels from the control node.
Ansible supports parallelism using the `forks` setting, which specifies the number of parallel tasks. This can be adjusted in the `ansible.cfg` file under the `forks` parameter or passed via the command line with the `-f` option (e.g., `ansible-playbook -f 10 playbook.yml`). Increasing the number of forks can reduce execution time for tasks across many hosts.
The `serial` keyword allows you to control how many hosts are processed at a time within a play. For example, `serial: 2` would execute tasks on two hosts at a time until all hosts are processed. This is useful for rolling updates, where you need to ensure only a few hosts are updated simultaneously, minimizing downtime or service disruption.
`ansible` is used to run ad-hoc commands on hosts without needing a playbook file, while `ansible-playbook` is used to execute structured playbooks. `ansible` is more suited for one-off tasks, like checking server uptime, whereas `ansible-playbook` is for more complex configurations and deployments.
Ansible supports looping in tasks using the `loop` keyword or other specific keywords (`with_items`, `with_fileglob`, etc.). Loops can iterate over lists, dictionaries, or ranges. For example, `loop: "{{ my_list }}"` would iterate over each item in `my_list`. Ansible also provides `with_sequence` for numerical ranges and `with_nested` for nested looping.
The `register` keyword stores the output of a task into a variable, which can then be used in subsequent tasks. This is useful for capturing results, checking conditions, or debugging. For example, registering the output of a command allows you to use `when` statements to run conditional tasks based on the command’s result.
Here are some Ansible interview questions for 5 years experience or more. These interview questions and answers cover advanced concepts of Ansible.
The `ansible.cfg` file is the main configuration file for Ansible. It allows you to set various defaults and configurations such as `inventory` location, `forks` for parallelism, SSH connection options, logging, retry behavior, and plugin configurations. Modifying `ansible.cfg` customizes Ansible’s behavior to fit specific operational needs.
Custom modules allow users to extend Ansible’s functionality by creating their modules, usually written in Python. These modules need to adhere to Ansible’s standard output format (JSON). Once written, the custom module can be placed in the `library` directory within a role or specified path, making it available like any other built-in module.
The `meta` module provides special instructions in playbooks, allowing for operations such as controlling role dependencies, pausing playbook execution, or running handlers at specific points. `meta` can be used to skip tasks, stop playbook execution, or perform clean-up actions, enhancing control over playbook flow.
`block` and `rescue` provide error handling in Ansible, allowing you to group tasks and specify alternative actions if a block fails. `block` groups a set of tasks, and `rescue` defines tasks to execute if any task within the block fails. This approach provides more robust error handling and recovery options.
Plugins in Ansible extend and modify its core behavior. There are multiple types of plugins, such as callback (modifying output), connection (controlling connection protocols), filter (customizing Jinja2 templates), lookup (retrieving data from external sources), and action (modifying task execution). Custom plugins can also be written for specialized requirements.
The `strategy` setting in Ansible controls task execution on hosts. There are two main strategies:
● linear: Tasks run on all hosts sequentially before moving to the next task.
● free: Tasks run independently on each host, not waiting for others to complete.
Choosing a strategy affects execution speed and synchronization, particularly in large environments.
`ansible-config` displays and manages Ansible configurations. Running `ansible-config dump` shows the current configuration values, along with their sources. This command is useful for troubleshooting and ensuring all configurations align with intended settings.
Lookup plugins fetch data from external sources, like files, databases, or APIs. They’re invoked with the `lookup` keyword and provide dynamic values to tasks. For example, `lookup('file', 'path/to/file')` reads data from a file, and `lookup('env', 'HOME')` retrieves environment variables.
Collections are modular packages of roles, plugins, and modules that provide structured, reusable content. They are stored on Ansible Galaxy, simplifying the process of sharing configurations and dependencies. Collections enable teams to organize their content and manage complex environments effectively.
Debugging in Ansible can be done with the `-vvv` flag for verbose output or by using the `debug` module within playbooks. You can also set breakpoints with `pause` to examine specific stages. Ansible’s `--step` option lets you step through tasks interactively, which helps identify issues.
The `set_fact` module dynamically defines variables within a playbook at runtime. This helps set variables based on task outputs or applying transformations to existing data. `set_fact` allows for more flexible playbook logic and can be used to store calculated values.
`handlers: flush_handlers` forces handlers to run immediately after a task that notified them, instead of waiting until the end of the play. This is useful in situations where you need changes to take effect immediately, such as reloading a configuration without delaying the next tasks.
Jinja2 templates allow dynamic content generation using `.j2` files. Templates are written in Jinja2 syntax, embedding variables, conditions, and loops, which Ansible processes to produce the final output. They’re often used for configuration files, generating files customized for each managed host.
The `wait_for` module is used to wait for a specific condition, like a port opening or a file being created. For example, `wait_for: port=80 state=started` pauses execution until port 80 is open. It’s commonly used for coordinating tasks in distributed environments, ensuring dependencies are ready.
`include_tasks` dynamically includes tasks at runtime, whereas `import_tasks` statically imports tasks at the start of playbook execution. `include_tasks` allows conditional inclusion of tasks, which is helpful for tasks that might not always be needed, making playbooks more adaptable.
Create an inventory of Azure VMs and write a playbook to install and configure the web server. Use Ansible modules like azure_rm_virtualmachine for VM management and apt for package installation. Execute the playbook to deploy the application across all VMs.
Identify the failure using verbose mode, rollback changes if possible, and troubleshoot using logs and debug modules. Correct the issue and re-run the playbook. Monitor the environment to ensure stability.
Use Ansible modules like azuread_user and azuread_group to create, update, or delete users and groups. Authenticate with Azure AD using client ID and secret. Assign users to groups using the azuread_user module.
Install the Azure collection, authenticate with Azure credentials, and write a playbook using the azure_rm_storageaccount module. Configure settings like blobs and containers with other modules. Verify configurations in the Azure portal.
Use dynamic inventory to fetch VNet details. Write a playbook to check for misconfigurations and apply fixes using modules like azure_rm_networkinterface. Schedule regular executions and send notifications upon detecting issues.
In conclusion, preparing for an Ansible interview requires a solid understanding of both fundamental and advanced concepts, including configuration management, playbooks, roles, and automation workflows.
Familiarity with YAML syntax, inventory management, and troubleshooting are also essential. By mastering these areas and reviewing common interview questions, you can confidently demonstrate your technical proficiency and problem-solving abilities with Ansible.
As automation and DevOps practices continue to evolve, staying current with Ansible’s latest features and best practices will further enhance your skill set, setting you apart in the competitive IT landscape.
He is a senior solution network architect and currently working with one of the largest financial company. He has an impressive academic and training background. He has completed his B.Tech and MBA, which makes him both technically and managerial proficient. He has also completed more than 450 online and offline training courses, both in India and ...
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