How do I build automation with ChatGPT and keep my system running with Ansible

 Simplify Your Ansible Playbook Creation with ChatGPT

Are you tired of writing complex Ansible playbooks manually? Want to streamline your DevOps processes and save time? Look no further! I’ve just released a new video that shows you how to use ChatGPT to simplify and speed up the process of generating Ansible code.

In the video, I walk you through several practical examples where ChatGPT helps in automating the creation of Ansible playbooks. Whether you’re checking system resources, verifying Java installations, monitoring WebSphere applications, or ensuring your filesystems aren’t running out of space, ChatGPT can help you generate the required playbook code with ease.

What You’ll Learn:

1. System Resource Monitoring:

   • Learn how to create an Ansible playbook that monitors CPU, memory, disk, and network usage across your servers.

2. Conditional Logic for Different Linux Distros:

   • See how to write playbooks that adapt to different Linux distributions, ensuring that the correct commands are executed regardless of the environment.

3. Java and WebSphere Application Checks:

   • Discover how to automate the process of checking for Java installations and monitoring the status of WebSphere Application Server instances.

4. Filesystem Usage Alerts:

   • Watch how to create a playbook that checks filesystem usage and triggers alerts if any directory exceeds a specified storage threshold.

Why This Video is Essential:

Ansible is a powerful tool for automating IT infrastructure, but writing playbooks can be time-consuming and error-prone. By leveraging ChatGPT, you can generate accurate, optimized code faster and with less effort. This video is a must-watch for DevOps professionals, system administrators, and anyone looking to improve their Ansible workflows.

Watch the video now to see how ChatGPT can transform your approach to Ansible playbook creation and make your automation tasks more efficient than ever!

Ansible is giving below error - consul1 | UNREACHABLE!

Hello all and welcome again into my DevSecOps Blog!!

I am getting the below error while running the ansible consul1 -m ping on my Debian controller and host..

consul1 | UNREACHABLE! => {
    "changed": false,
    "msg": "Failed to create temporary directory.In some cases, you may have been able to authenticate and did not have permissions on the target directory. Consider changing the remote tmp path in ansible.cfg to a path rooted in \"/tmp\", for more error information use -vvv. Failed command was: ( umask 77 && mkdir -p \"` echo /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp `\"&& mkdir \"` echo /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp/ansible-tmp-1723792189.0846684-1866486-106472010969667 `\" && echo ansible-tmp-1723792189.0846684-1866486-106472010969667=\"` echo /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp/ansible-tmp-1723792189.0846684-1866486-106472010969667 `\" ), exited with result 127",
    "unreachable": true
}

....

As I could figure out a way to result from this - I consulted ChatGPT to help work around this..

Here is My prompt.

Prompt: 

[ Hey Brian, good morning .. I am getting below error while running the ansible consul1 -m ping on my debian controller and host. consul1 | UNREACHABLE! => { "changed": false, "msg": "Failed to create temporary directory.In some cases, you may have been able to authenticate and did not have permissions on the target directory. Consider changing the remote tmp path in ansible.cfg to a path rooted in \"/tmp\", for more error information use -vvv. Failed command was: ( umask 77 && mkdir -p \" echo /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp \"&& mkdir \" echo /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp/ansible-tmp-1723792189.0846684-1866486-106472010969667 \" && echo ansible-tmp-1723792189.0846684-1866486-106472010969667=\" echo /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp/ansible-tmp-1723792189.0846684-1866486-106472010969667 \" ), exited with result 127", "unreachable": true }" , can you please help me troubleshoot this and suggest me solutions for this problem?  ]

- I have made this GPT Myself and if you are into Code for Ansible you can find it here - Brian YML CODER. 

Ok, here is the output result.

The error message you're encountering suggests that Ansible is unable to create a temporary directory on the remote host. This issue is often related to permissions or the remote user not having the necessary privileges to create directories in the specified path.

Here’s a breakdown of the possible causes and steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

1. Permission Issues on the Remote Host

• Issue: The user under which Ansible is executing commands (likely ansible based on the paths) might not have the necessary permissions to create directories in the /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp directory.
• Solution: Ensure that the remote user has appropriate permissions to write to the /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp directory. You can do this by connecting to the remote host and manually checking the permissions:

  bash
  ssh user@remote_host
  mkdir -p /home/ansible/.ansible/tmp

  If the ansible user cannot create the directory, adjust the permissions or use sudo as needed.

2. Insufficient Space or Quota Limits

• Issue: The remote system might be out of disk space, or the user might have hit their quota limit, preventing directory creation.
• Solution: Check the available disk space on the remote host with:

  bash
  df -h
  

  Also, check if there are any quota limits set for the user:

  bash
  quota -v ansible
  

  Ensure that there is sufficient space, and no quota limits are being exceeded.

3. Invalid or Non-Standard Shell Environment

• Issue: The shell environment might not be set up correctly, or the shell is non-standard, which might cause issues with command execution.
• Solution: Verify the shell environment for the user, and ensure that it’s a standard shell like bash or sh. You can also check if the shell initialization files (.bashrc, .profile, etc.) are misconfigured or not being executed properly.

4. Change the Remote Temporary Directory Path

• Issue: The default temporary directory might not be accessible or appropriate.
• Solution: Change the temporary directory to a path under /tmp in your ansible.cfg. You can do this by adding or updating the following setting in your ansible.cfg:

  ini
  [defaults]
  remote_tmp = /tmp/.ansible/tmp
  

  This setting will ensure that the temporary directory is created in /tmp, which is generally accessible by all users.

5. Verbose Output for Detailed Error Information

• Issue: The error message might not provide enough details.
• Solution: Run the Ansible command with the -vvv flag for verbose output to get more detailed information:

  bash
  ansible consul1 -m ping -vvv
  

  This will give you more insight into what’s failing and why.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the issue. Let me know if any particular step is unclear, or if you encounter any additional errors while troubleshooting!

How to Write a DevOps Handover Document

A DevOps Handover document template to help a person leaving a project pass on the work done to another engineer, so it is continued, the work is around the Ansible playbook, for ci/cd automation, Jenkins pipeline and GitLab repository..

                          ##### BEGINNING OF  DOCUMENT TEMPLATE #########

DevOps Handover Document

Project Overview

Provide a brief overview of the project, its objectives, and its key components.

• Project Name:
• Project Description:
• Key Stakeholders:
• Project Timeline:
• Current Status:

Ansible Playbook

Overview

Provide an overview of the Ansible playbook used in the project.

• Purpose: Describe the purpose of the playbook.
• Main Playbooks and Roles: List the primary playbooks and roles, their locations, and their functions.
• Dependencies: Outline any dependencies or prerequisites for running the playbooks.

Directory Structure

├── ansible/
│   ├── playbooks/
│   │   ├── main_playbook.yml
│   │   └── other_playbooks.yml
│   ├── roles/
│   │   ├── role1/
│   │   └── role2/
│   ├── inventory/
│   │   ├── production
│   │   └── staging
│   └── ansible.cfg

• Playbooks: Detailed description of key playbooks and their functions.
• Roles: Detailed description of key roles and their tasks.
• Inventory: Description of the inventory files and their purpose.
• Configuration: Any special configurations in ansible.cfg.

Running Playbooks

Provide step-by-step instructions for running the playbooks.

1. Setup Environment:

   bash
   ansible-playbook -i inventory/production main_playbook.yml
   

2. Common Commands:
   • Command for running a specific playbook.
   • Command for running playbooks in staging/production environments.
   • Command for checking the playbook syntax.
   • Any other relevant commands.

CI/CD Automation

Jenkins Pipeline

Overview

Provide an overview of the Jenkins pipeline configuration.

• Purpose: Describe the pipeline’s role in the project.
• Pipeline Stages: List and describe each stage of the pipeline.

Configuration

• Jenkinsfile Location:
• Pipeline Script: Provide a snippet or full script of the Jenkinsfile if possible.
• Plugins: List the Jenkins plugins used and their purposes.

Common Tasks

• Triggering Builds: How to manually trigger builds.
• Monitoring Builds: How to monitor build status and logs.
• Debugging Issues: Steps to debug common issues.

GitLab Repository

Overview

Provide an overview of the GitLab repository setup.

• Repository URL:
• Branches: List and describe the purpose of key branches (e.g., main, develop, feature/*, hotfix/*).
• Branching Strategy: Explain the branching strategy used in the project.
• Merge Requests: Outline the process for creating and reviewing merge requests.

Repository Structure

bash
├── .gitlab/
│   ├── ci/
│   │   ├── stages/
│   │   ├── jobs/
│   │   └── scripts/
├── src/
│   ├── main/
│   └── test/
├── docs/
└── README.md

• Key Directories: Description of key directories and their contents.
• CI Configuration: Details of GitLab CI configuration (.gitlab-ci.yml).

Common Tasks

• Cloning the Repository:

  bash
  git clone <repository_url>
  

• Working with Branches:
  • Creating a new branch.
  • Merging branches.
• CI/CD Pipelines:
  • How to trigger pipelines.
  • Monitoring pipeline status.
  • Debugging failed pipelines.

Contacts and Resources

Provide a list of key contacts and resources for further assistance.

• Project Manager: Name, email, phone number.
• Technical Lead: Name, email, phone number.
• Relevant Documentation: Links to any additional documentation or resources.
• Access Credentials: Securely provide any necessary credentials or access details.

Additional Notes

Any additional notes, tips, or important information to be aware of.

---

Prepared by: [Your Name]
Date: [Date]

                                   ##### END OF  DOCUMENT TEMPLATE #########

DevOps for Small Businesses: Simplifying Deployment and Scaling

Introduction

Hey there, small business owners! Are you tired of software deployments that move at the speed of a sloth? Want to scale up faster than a caffeine-fueled coder on a deadline? It’s time to talk about DevOps, a superhero team-up of development and operations that's all about getting things done better and faster. Let’s dive into how you can zap those old-school methods and boost your business into the fast lane!

The Basics of DevOps for Small Businesses

What’s the Big Deal with DevOps?

DevOps isn't just for the big leagues; it's like the Swiss Army knife for your business—versatile, efficient, and surprisingly affordable. It blends development (the "Dev") with operations (the "Ops") into a dynamic duo. Think Batman and Robin, but for pushing updates and fixing bugs. Small businesses can particularly rock this by speeding up delivery times and nailing quality from the get-go.

Tools and Technologies

Picking Your Gadget Arsenal

Choosing the right tools is less about stocking up for an apocalypse and more about picking the niftiest gadgets for the job:

• Version Control Systems (Git): This is your diary but for code. It remembers everything, so you don’t have to.
• CI/CD Tools (Jenkins or CircleCI): These are your assembly lines, automating the nitty-gritty so you can sip coffee and brainstorm.
• Monitoring Tools (Nagios, Prometheus): These are your lookouts, keeping an eagle eye on operations and squawking loudly if something goes haywire.
• Configuration Management Tools (Ansible, Puppet): Think of these as your magical elves, setting up everything perfectly while you’re off handling other business spells.

Implementation Strategies

Your DevOps Game Plan

Jumping into DevOps might seem like leaping into a double-dutch jump rope game. Here’s how to not trip up:

1. Look Before You Leap: Check out what you’re doing now and where a dash of DevOps could make life easier.
2. Plan Like a Pro: Set some goals. Nothing fancy—just some milestones you’d like to hit with DevOps.
3. Pick Your Tools Wisely: Gear up based on what you need, not what the cool kids are using.
4. Start Small: Kick off a mini-project. It’s like your own pilot episode, so make it good!

Overcoming Challenges

Dodging the DevOps Pitfalls

Sure, roadblocks pop up, but here’s how to swerve around them:

• Tiny Budgets: Embrace open-source tools. They’re free and often just as good as the pricey stuff.
• Skill Shortages: Consider some quick training, or maybe even bring in a freelancer to help raise your team’s game.
• Fear of Change: Change can be scary, but so was your first smartphone, right? And look at you now!

Case Studies

Success Stories to Make You Smile

Consider the local boutique that streamlined its online checkout system with DevOps magic, turning its once-glacial process into a sprinter’s paradise. They cut down issue resolution from days to hours. Now, that’s moving at the speed of business!

Conclusion and Next Steps

Take the DevOps Plunge

Think of DevOps as your business’s new best friend. It’s here to help you deploy faster, scale bigger, and react quicker to whatever the market throws at you. Start small, think big, and scale fast. Ready to become a DevOps believer? Dive into some resources, connect with experts, or just start tinkering. The future’s bright, and it’s streamlined!

References Used on This Blog:

- Jenkins - https://www.jenkins.io/  

- Git - https://git-scm.com/ 

- CircleCI - https://circleci.com/ 

- Nagios -  https://www.nagios.org/ 

- Prometheus - https://prometheus.io/ 

- Ansible - https://www.ansible.com/ 

How to Create a Ansible Lab on your Local Machine using Vagrant in 5 min using ChatGPT - Part 2

Update the above Vagrantfile Centos 8 servers and add Public IP and dhcp on each server ..

To update the provided Vagrantfile for the three CentOS 8 servers to each have a public IP and use DHCP for IP assignment, you'll need to modify the network configuration to use a public network. 

Vagrant can configure your VMs to use a public network, which allows them to access and be accessible from the public internet if your hosting environment supports it. This is often achieved by using DHCP to assign a public IP automatically.

Here's how you can modify the Vagrantfile:

# -*- mode: ruby -*-

# vi: set ft=ruby :

Vagrant.configure("2") do |config|

  # Define the base box

  config.vm.box = "centos/8"

  # Ansible Tower Server

  config.vm.define "ansible_tower" do |ansible_tower|

    ansible_tower.vm.hostname = "ansible-tower"

    ansible_tower.vm.network "public_network", use_dhcp_assigned_default_route: true

  end

  # Deployment Environment 1

  config.vm.define "deploy_env1" do |deploy_env1|

    deploy_env1.vm.hostname = "deploy-env1"

    deploy_env1.vm.network "public_network", use_dhcp_assigned_default_route: true

  end

  # Deployment Environment 2

  config.vm.define "deploy_env2" do |deploy_env2|

    deploy_env2.vm.hostname = "deploy-env2"

    deploy_env2.vm.network "public_network", use_dhcp_assigned_default_route: true

  end

end

This configuration uses public_network and sets use_dhcp_assigned_default_route: true to allow DHCP to assign public IPs to your VMs. Please note, the actual public IP assignment depends on your network setup and the capabilities of your host environment. In some cases, you might need to specify a bridge or make additional configurations to ensure your VMs are accessible from the public internet.

Remember, exposing your VMs to the public internet can have security implications. Ensure that you have appropriate security measures in place, such as firewalls and secure authentication methods.

🌐 Sources 

developer.hashicorp.com - Public Networks - Vagrant
github.com - Change the eth0 ip because oft IP conflict · Issue #2915
serverfault.com - Public static ip for vagrant box

How to Create a Ansible Lab on your Local Machine using Vagrant in 5 min using ChatGPT

This is an exciting experiment of mine as DevOps. As I am experimenting with the Tools available ... So, the quest is to "Vagrantfile which creates 3 instances of Centos 8 servers, each server shall be able to connect on the same network for easy communication"

Here is what we want to achieve:

- Build 3 servers to use Ansible

Jumped into via ChatGPT via Bing Copilot and created the following prompt.

"Hi Copilot, can you write a Vagrantfile which creates 3 instances of Centos 8 servers, each server shall be able to connect on the same network for easy communication, these instance serves are to be used as Ansible Lab environments comprised of one Ansible Tower and two deployments environments, please"

The output:

# -*- mode: ruby -*-
# vi: set ft=ruby :

Vagrant.configure("2") do |config|
  # Define the base box
  config.vm.box = "centos/8"

  # Ansible Tower Server
  config.vm.define "ansible_tower" do |ansible_tower|
    ansible_tower.vm.hostname = "ansible-tower"
    ansible_tower.vm.network "private_network", ip: "192.168.56.10"
  end

  # Deployment Environment 1
  config.vm.define "deploy_env1" do |deploy_env1|
    deploy_env1.vm.hostname = "deploy-env1"
    deploy_env1.vm.network "private_network", ip: "192.168.56.11"
  end

  # Deployment Environment 2
  config.vm.define "deploy_env2" do |deploy_env2|
    deploy_env2.vm.hostname = "deploy-env2"
    deploy_env2.vm.network "private_network", ip: "192.168.56.12"
  end

  # Provisioning with Ansible (Optional)
  # config.vm.provision "ansible" do |ansible|
  #   ansible.playbook = "playbook.yml"
  # end
end

Source code on Git Hub repository.

To use this Vagrantfile:

1. Install VirtualBox and Vagrant on your system.
2. Save the above code into a file named Vagrantfile.
3. Open a terminal and navigate to the directory containing the Vagrantfile.
4. Run vagrant up to create the VMs.

This Vagrantfile configures each CentOS 8 server with a static IP on a private network, allowing them to communicate with each other. You can uncomment and adjust the Ansible provisioning block to run your Ansible playbooks automatically.

You’ll have three CentOS 8 servers (server1, server2, and server3) along with an Ansible Tower instance (ansible-tower) for your lab environment. Adjust memory and CPU settings as needed based on your system resources.

Happy Ansible-ing! 🚀

Next - 

To test the Ansible connection to the three CentOS 8 servers you've set up, you can use a simple Ansible playbook that employs the ping module. This module is specifically designed for connection testing and doesn't actually send ICMP pings but attempts an SSH connection and returns pong on success.

Here's an example playbook, test_connection.yml, that you can use:

yaml
---
- name: Test Ansible Connection to Servers
  hosts: all
  gather_facts: no

  tasks:
    - name: Test connectivity with ping module
      ansible.builtin.ping:

Before running the playbook, ensure you have an inventory file (inventory.ini or your preferred name) that lists the IPs or hostnames of your servers under a group [servers] or individually. Here's an example:

javascript
[servers]
192.168.56.10 ansible_user=your_username ansible_ssh_private_key_file=/path/to/private_key
192.168.56.11 ansible_user=your_username ansible_ssh_private_key_file=/path/to/private_key
192.168.56.12 ansible_user=your_username ansible_ssh_private_key_file=/path/to/private_key

Replace your_username and /path/to/private_key with the appropriate user and SSH key path for your setup.

To run the playbook and test the connection to all servers in your inventory, use the following command:

bash
ansible-playbook -i inventory.ini test_connection.yml

This command will attempt to connect to each server listed in inventory.ini and report back whether the connection was successful.
....

Nice !! Now, let us push this code further ..  I have tested the script on my machine and Made all 3 instances up and running.  Further improved the code and stored in Github source code here

Here the code on VisualCode:

Continue on  part 2

🌐 Sourcesmedium.com - How to Create Multiple Virtual Machines Using Vagrant Tool

stackoverflow.com - Two Operating Systems in a single Vagrantfile