#server-management

Automate server configuration and application deployment using Ansible for consistent, repeatable infrastructure management. Ansible architecture: 1. Control node: Ansible installation, inventory management, playbook execution. 2. Managed nodes: SSH access, Python installation, no agent required. 3. Inventory: static hosts file or dynamic inventory from cloud providers. 4. Modules: idempotent operations, return status (changed/ok/failed). Playbook structure: 1. YAML syntax: tasks, handlers, variables, templates, and roles organization. 2. Idempotency: tasks run multiple times with same result, state checking. 3. Error handling: failed_when, ignore_errors, rescue blocks for fault tolerance. 4. Variable precedence: group_vars, host_vars, extra_vars hierarchy. Role development: 1. Directory structure: tasks, handlers, templates, files, vars, defaults. 2. Reusability: parameterized roles, role dependencies, Galaxy integration. 3. Testing: molecule for role testing, kitchen for infrastructure testing. Configuration management: 1. Package management: ensure specific versions, security updates, dependency resolution. 2. Service management: start/stop services, enable on boot, configuration file deployment. 3. Security hardening: user management, firewall rules, SSH configuration, file permissions. Deployment strategies: rolling updates, blue-green deployments, canary releases with health checks every 30 seconds.