> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://taqiyeddine.gitbook.io/exploring-it/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://taqiyeddine.gitbook.io/exploring-it/ansible-and-python/first-ansible-playbook.md).
# First Ansible Playbook!
Setting Up a Web Server with Ansible
*Ansible, the simple, yet powerful IT automation tool, allows users to set up and manage infrastructure seamlessly. In today's post, we will explore a simple Ansible playbook that sets up a web server on RedHat-based systems and presents the system's hostname on a web page.*
#### **The Playbook in Focus: run\_httpd.yml**
```yaml
---
- name: Run a web server
hosts: redhat
become: yes
tasks:
- name: Check if apache is installed
yum:
name: httpd
state: present
- name: Start HTTPD and enable it
service:
name: httpd
state: started
enabled: yes
- name: Set content of index.html with hostname
copy:
content: |
Welcome to {{ ansible_hostname }}
This server's hostname is: {{ ansible_hostname }}, Using ANSIBLE PLAYBOOK!
dest: /var/www/html/index.html
notify: Restart HTTPD
handlers:
- name: Restart HTTPD
service:
name: httpd
state: restarted
```
#### **Breaking Down the Playbook**
**1. Overview:** The playbook is named "Run a web server". It targets hosts under the group `redhat` and escalates privileges using `become: yes`, ensuring that it has the necessary permissions for the operations.
**2. Checking and Installing Apache:** The first task uses the `yum` module to ensure the Apache HTTP Server (`httpd`) package is installed. If it's not, Ansible will install it.
```yaml
- name: Check if apache is installed
yum:
name: httpd
state: present
```
**3. Starting and Enabling HTTPD:** Next, the playbook ensures that the `httpd` service is started and enabled to boot up at system startup.
```yaml
- name: Start HTTPD and enable it
service:
name: httpd
state: started
enabled: yes
```
**4. Setting Up the Web Page:** The playbook then creates an `index.html` file inside the `/var/www/html` directory, which is the default document root for Apache in RedHat-based systems. The web page will display the hostname of the server.
```yaml
- name: Set content of index.html with hostname
...
This server's hostname is: {{ ansible_hostname }}, Using ANSIBLE PLAYBOOK!
```
**5. Handlers and Restarting HTTPD:** Lastly, if the content of `index.html` changes, the playbook will restart the `httpd` service to reflect the changes. This is done using Ansible's handlers, which are tasks that only run when notified.
```yaml
handlers:
- name: Restart HTTPD
service:
name: httpd
state: restarted
```
#### **Conclusion**
This Ansible playbook provides an illustrative example of how to set up a basic web server and display dynamic content. By leveraging Ansible's idempotent nature, this playbook ensures that your web server is consistently set up across multiple runs.
Whether you're new to Ansible or an experienced user, this playbook serves as a reminder of the simplicity and efficiency that Ansible brings to infrastructure management.