Ansible for the Absolute Beginner – Hands-On – DevOps Course Syllabus

This course provides a practical, hands-on introduction to Ansible, designed for absolute beginners looking to enter the world of DevOps and automation. You'll gain foundational knowledge of Ansible architecture, playbooks, modules, and real-world automation use cases across cloud, network, and security environments. With approximately 4 hours of focused content, the course builds from setup to real-world application, enabling immediate use in IT operations and DevOps roles. Lifetime access ensures you can learn at your own pace and revisit key concepts as needed.

Module 1: Introduction to Ansible

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• What is Ansible and how it fits into DevOps workflows
• Overview of Ansible architecture
• Introduction to YAML syntax
• Understanding inventory files

Module 2: Setting Up Ansible Environment

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Installing Ansible
• Configuring managed hosts
• Working with static inventory
• Using dynamic inventory

Module 3: Working with Playbooks and Modules

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Writing Ansible playbooks
• Defining tasks, handlers, and variables
• Using conditionals in playbooks
• Using core modules for configuration management

Module 4: Automating Infrastructure

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Managing files, packages, users, and services
• Automating across multiple systems
• Applying Ansible roles
• Using templates for structured automation

Module 5: Ansible for Cloud and Network Automation

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Automating AWS, Azure, and GCP tasks
• Using Ansible modules for cloud provisioning
• Automating networking gear like Cisco devices

Module 6: Security Automation and Best Practices

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Managing SSH keys and firewall rules
• Enforcing compliance tasks
• Using Ansible Vault for secrets management
• Implementing secure automation practices

Module 7: Final Review and Real-World Use Cases

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Practice scenarios with automation workflows
• Recap of core Ansible concepts
• Real-world examples in cloud, DevOps, and IT operations

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of Linux command line
• Familiarity with networking concepts
• Access to a computer with internet connection

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Explain Ansible architecture and core components
• Create and run Ansible playbooks for automation
• Automate configuration management across Linux and Windows systems
• Apply Ansible to cloud provisioning and network device management
• Use Ansible Vault to securely manage secrets in automation workflows