Introduction
The world of IT automation is rapidly evolving, and Red Hat is at the forefront with its containerized Ansible Automation Platform. In this guide, we will walk you through the containerized Ansible Automation Platform installation process on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (RHEL 9). This innovation opens doors to a more streamlined and efficient management experience.
Why Containerized Ansible Automation Platform?
As the Ansible Automation Platform has grown in complexity with the addition of new services and components, managing it has become more challenging. The containerized Ansible Automation Platform represents a significant step towards improving this management experience. It simplifies installation, enhances security, and provides a launchpad for new features, all while reducing the platform’s footprint.
The containerized Ansible Automation Platform offers several advantages:
1. Slimmed Down Installation: The installation process is simplified, making it more accessible to users.
2. Layered Installation: This approach provides flexibility and customization options.
3. Enhanced Security: The use of rootless Podman containers ensures security from the outset.
4. Platform for Future Features: The containerized platform sets the stage for future enhancements.
5. Lighter Footprint: It caters to various markets and solutions, ensuring optimal performance.
With this technical preview release, you gain access to exciting features such as:
- Applying Your License: Use the controller_license_file option to apply your Ansible Automation Platform license during installation.
- Pre-Seeding Configurations: Pre-seed automation controller configuration as code for greater flexibility.
Setting Up the Containerized Ansible Automation Platform
Let’s dive into the step-by-step installation process:
1. Download and Unpack the Installation Bundle:
- Visit the Red Hat Network (RHN) portal and download the latest release of the installation bundle. Choose between ‘online’ (requires internet access) and ‘offline’ bundle options.
- Extract the installation files to a directory of your choice. It’s worth noting that the installation is now designed to run as a non-root user.
2. Edit the Inventory File:
In the installation directory, you’ll find an inventory file that provides essential, optional, and recommended configurations. You can tailor these configurations to your needs. An example of the inventory file structure is provided for you to m