This IBM Redbooks publication will help you install, tailor and configure an automation environment using Ansible in an IBM Power server environment. Ansible is a versatile and easy to use IT automation platform that makes your applications and systems easier to deploy and maintain. With Ansible you can automate almost anything: code deployment, network configuration, server infrastructure deployment, security and patch management, and cloud management. Ansible is implemented in an easy to use and human readable language (YAML) and uses SSH to connect to the managed systems, hence with no agents to install on remote systems.

Ansible is an Open Source solution that is gaining market share in the automation workspace as it can help you automate almost anything. This IBM Redbooks publication will show you how to integrate Ansible to manage all aspects of your IBM Power infrastructure, including server hardware, the hardware management console, PowerVM, PowerVC, AIX, IBM i, and Linux on Power. We provide guidance on where to run your Ansible automation controller nodes and demonstrate how it can be installed on any operating system supported on IBM Power and also show you how to set up your IBM Power infrastructure components to be managed using Ansible.

This publication is intended for use by anyone who is interested in automaton using Ansible whether they are just getting started or if they are experts on Ansible and want to understand how to integrate IBM Power into their existing environment.

Chapter 1. Introduction to Ansible and IBM Power

Chapter 2. Ansible architecture and design

Chapter 3. Getting started with Ansible

Chapter 4. Automated Application Deployment on Power Servers

Chapter 5. Infrastructure as Code Using Ansible

Chapter 6. Day 2 Management Operations

Chapter 7. Future Trends and Directions

Appendix A. Unveiling IBM i Merlin