Ansible vs Ansible Core

The landscape of DevOps and automation is highly dynamic, with Ansible being among the tools that have been developed for configuration management, application deployment and IT orchestration. Nonetheless, within the realm of Ansible, there are two distinct entities called “Ansible” and “Ansible Core”, each having its own weightage and functionalities. This article seeks to highlight the differences between Ansible and Ansible Core in order to better understand them in modern IT operations.

Key Definitions And Terminologies Related To Ansible

• Ansible: It is a strong open-source automation platform built to streamline IT operations through simplified configuration management, application deployment, and task automation. To define system configurations and manage complex workflows it uses declarative language, especially YAML. Agentless operation is employed by Ansible which means it communicates with remote nodes through SSH or WinRM thus increasing its scalability and flexibility.
• Ansible Core: This forms the very foundation of the Ansible framework that includes all the necessary components needed for running playbooks as well as managing infrastructure. Serves as the main structure that supports module execution, inventory management, and task execution in Ansible; this is why it’s referred to as the backbone of Ansible. Unlike this broader terminology called “ansible” where multiple other things can be included such as Ansible Tower and Ansible Galaxy, Ansible Core remains focused on the fundamental aspects of automation.
• Modules: The Ansible modules are module-shaped structures of code, that allow tasks to be executed on command nodes. They administer the compilation of programs into binary files, the configuration of files or services management being the main components on the road to scripting workflows at any time.
• Playbook: Ansible playbooks mean automation tasks are equipped with workflows. YAML(Yet Another Markup Language) serves as a fine format for writing tasks including configuring and running operations across the infrastructure. Playbook make it possible to generalize recurring tasks by applying a plug-and-play approach.
• Inventory: The Ansible inventory is a kind of list with states of managed nodes that are ready to be implemented as actionable tasks. It is the environment that playbooks will carry out their tasks, and it will also help to have a specific target for easy access to infrastructure resources.
• Plugins: Ansible plugins serve the purpose of expanding the sphere of influence of the automation platform by including features from external systems or office automation tools. In this context they increase flexibility and adaptability, which help users to customize Ansible for their particular needs.
• Configuration Management: Ansible provides a configuration management function by automating the setup of configuring systems as well as system maintenance processes across the several environments that are distributed. It provides for uniformity, and obedience to norms while ensuring that these resources can be replicated as desired.
• Ansible Tower: Ansible Tower, or Red Hat Ansible Automation platform, as it is known presently, is an enterprise-level (beyond just organizations) automation solution which is built upon Ansible Core. It offers supplemental services is web-like user interface, role-based access control (RBAC), job scheduling, and centralized logging designed to the needs of institutions with complex automation.

Difference Between Ansible vs Ansible Core

The following are the differences between ansible and ansible core:

Aspect	Ansible	Ansible Core
Functionality	Comprehensive ecosystem including Ansible Core, Tower, Galaxy, etc.	Minimalistic approach focusing on core automation tasks
Installation	Full package with plugins, dependencies, and modules	Lightweight installation with basic components only
Use Cases	Diverse automation scenarios across hybrid environments	Lightweight automation, rapid configuration changes
Community Support	Vibrant community with extensive contributions	Adequate support with focus on core functionality

Key Features Of Ansible

The following are the key features of ansible:

• Agentless Architecture: Ansible design eminent as an agent-less one therefore, it can talk to the nodes with SSH, or Microsoft Remote Management Protocol respectively. Having a structure of the setup centralizes the deployment operation so that, you can carry on also monitor agents in the host environments.
• Playbooks: Playbooks of Ansible enable automation as a genre, which is a vessel for coding of configuration tasks, orchestration logics, and the ultimate objectives in a reusable and pluggable form. Playsheets offer a possibility both to align IaC into the single document and flow out complex workloads using the single tool.
• Modules: Ansible has a variety of modules which one can use because they are self-contained chunks of code that perform the assignment in the form of a task on nodes that have been managed. Modules are written for a variety of purposes such as installing packages, configuring files, creating services, and managing cloud provisioning.
• Extensibility: Using plugins and modular design to reduce cross-platform effort and integrate with various systems and services, Ansible has extended its capabilities.
• Community and Ecosystem: A healthy community of Ansible users, contributors, and developers who keep sharing their goodies and critical feedback for continuous platform development is one of the platform’s strengths. The Ansible realm includes an additional group of Ansible nodes such as Ansible Tower (Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform), Ansible Galaxy (a hub for sharing collected materials), and an immense number of third-party integrations.

Key Features Of Ansible-Core

The following are the key features of ansible-core:

• Lightweight Footprint: Ansible Core retains the minimum possible system, concentrating primarily on the basics of automation process. The first point is that it presents a small footprint in terms of weight and also offers a straightforward installation, making it more suitable for locations where there is a pressing need for resource optimization and/or reducing overhead.
• Flexibility and Modularity: Modular nature of Ansible Core supports the flexibility and the extensibility, allowing users to customize the automation concerns per their particular necessities. It may be lighter than expected in some areas and does not carry the whole package of advanced features available in the entire Ansible environment, but it is still very versatile and adaptable.
• Stability and Reliability: Stability, reliability, and performance are among the key concerns of the Ansible Core, which is a role of a basic engine. It is subjected to an intensive empirical testing and verification to make certain of unwavering performance.
• Integration and Compatibility: Ansible Core seamlessly integrates with various operating systems, cloud platforms, and infrastructure components, offering broad compatibility and interoperability. Whether managing Linux servers, Windows workloads, or cloud instances, Ansible Core provides a unified automation solution that spans heterogeneous environments.

Use Cases

• Ansible: With its expansive feature set and robust ecosystem, Ansible caters to diverse automation use cases, ranging from provisioning infrastructure and configuring applications to orchestrating complex workflows across hybrid cloud environments. It excels in scenarios demanding scalability, flexibility, and extensibility, making it a preferred choice for enterprise-grade automation initiatives.
• Ansible Core: While lacking the breadth of features offered by the full Ansible ecosystem, Ansible Core excels in scenarios necessitating lightweight automation, rapid configuration changes, and agile infrastructure management. It proves invaluable in environments where simplicity, efficiency, and resource optimization are paramount.

Community Support

• Ansible: Benefit from a vibrant and expansive community comprising developers, sysadmins, and automation enthusiasts contributing modules, playbooks, documentation, and insights. This collective effort fosters innovation, accelerates problem resolution, and ensures the continuous evolution of the Ansible ecosystem. The Ansible project is hosted on GitHub, where you can explore the source code, report issues, and contribute to the development.
• Ansible Core: Although primarily focused on maintaining the core functionality of Ansible, Ansible Core receives ample support from the community, ensuring its stability, reliability, and compatibility with diverse operating environments. If you’re interested in learning more about Ansible Tower (Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform), the official documentation provides detailed information on installation, configuration, and usage.

Role of Ansible Core in Ansible

Ansible Core serves as the foundational infrastructure for executing automation tasks, managing inventories, and orchestrating workflows. Its robust architecture and comprehensive functionality enable smooth and efficient automation operations, contributing to the overall success of Ansible-based automation initiatives. As the backbone of Ansible, Core plays a pivotal role in ensuring the stability, reliability, and performance of automation processes.

Ansible Core serves several key functions:

• Running Playbooks: Playbooks serve as the heart of automation in Ansible. hey encapsulate a series of tasks and configurations in a declarative YAML format, enabling users to define automation workflows. Ansible Core provides the necessary infrastructure for interpreting and executing these playbooks seamlessly.
• Managing Inventories: Inventories serve as catalogs of managed nodes or hosts accessible for automation tasks. Ansible Core facilitates the management of inventories, allowing users to define and organize target environments efficiently. This enables precise targeting of automation tasks to specific nodes or groups of nodes.
• Orchestrating Tasks: Task orchestration lies at the core of automation workflows. Ansible Core provides the mechanisms for orchestrating tasks across distributed infrastructure environments. It ensures that tasks are executed in a coordinated manner, maintaining consistency and reliability throughout the automation process.

Ansible Core workflow

The workflow of Ansible Core involves several key steps that enable the efficient execution of automation tasks and management of infrastructure. Below is an overview of the Ansible Core workflow:

Ansible vs Ansible Core – FAQs

Is Ansible Core free to use?

Yes, Ansible Core is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and is freely available for use, modification, and distribution.

Can Ansible Core manage complex infrastructures?

While Ansible Core lacks some advanced features found in the full Ansible ecosystem, it remains capable of managing complex infrastructures effectively. Users may need to augment its capabilities through custom scripting or integration with complementary tools for intricate automation tasks.

How does Ansible Tower differ from Ansible Core?

Ansible Tower (now known as Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform) extends the capabilities of Ansible Core by providing features such as a web-based user interface, role-based access control (RBAC), job scheduling, and centralized logging. It caters to enterprises seeking enhanced automation governance, scalability, and collaboration capabilities.

Can I integrate Ansible Core with other DevOps tools?

Absolutely! Ansible Core’s modular architecture facilitates seamless integration with various DevOps tools, including version control systems (e.g., Git), continuous integration servers (e.g., Jenkins), and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure). Such integrations enhance automation workflows, streamline deployments, and foster collaboration across diverse toolchains.

Is Ansible Core suitable for small-scale automation projects?

Yes, Ansible Core’s lightweight footprint and streamlined functionality make it an excellent choice for small-scale automation projects, rapid prototyping, and agile development environments. Its simplicity, ease of use, and minimal overhead expedite automation adoption and empower users to automate repetitive tasks efficiently.