1. What is Ansible?
Ansible is an open-source IT automation tool used for configuration management, application deployment, and task automation. It helps manage servers without installing agents on remote machines.
2. Who developed Ansible?
Ansible was originally developed by Michael DeHaan in 2012. Later, it was acquired by Red Hat in 2015.
3. What are the main uses of Ansible?
Ansible is used for configuration management, software deployment, orchestration, and provisioning. It helps automate repetitive IT tasks efficiently.
4. What is configuration management?
Configuration management is the process of maintaining systems in a consistent and desired state. Ansible ensures servers are configured automatically and consistently.
5. What is an Ansible Playbook?
A playbook is a YAML file that defines automation tasks. It describes what tasks should run on which hosts.
6. What language is used to write Ansible Playbooks?
Ansible playbooks are written in YAML (Yet Another Markup Language). YAML is simple, human-readable, and easy to understand.
7. What is an inventory in Ansible?
Inventory is a file that contains the list of hosts or servers managed by Ansible. It can be static (INI file) or dynamic (cloud-based).
8. What are Ansible modules?
Modules are reusable units of code that perform specific tasks like installing packages or copying files.
Ansible comes with hundreds of built-in modules.
9. What is agentless architecture?
Agentless architecture means no software needs to be installed on remote nodes. Ansible connects using SSH for Linux systems.
10. What is SSH in Ansible?
SSH (Secure Shell) is used by Ansible to connect to remote machines. It ensures secure communication between control node and managed nodes.
11. What is the Control Node?
The control node is the machine where Ansible is installed. It sends commands and playbooks to managed nodes.
12. What are Managed Nodes?
Managed nodes are the servers controlled by Ansible. They execute tasks sent from the control node.
13. What is a task in Ansible?
A task is a single action performed on a managed node. For example, installing a package or restarting a service.
14. What is a role in Ansible?
A role is a structured way of organizing playbooks and related files. It improves reusability and project organization.
15. What is Ansible Galaxy?
Ansible Galaxy is a repository for sharing Ansible roles. Users can download pre-built roles from the Galaxy platform.
16. What is idempotency in Ansible?
Idempotency means running the same playbook multiple times will not change the result after the first run.
It prevents unnecessary changes to systems.
17. What is a handler in Ansible?
Handlers are tasks that run only when notified by another task. They are typically used to restart services after configuration changes.
18. What are variables in Ansible?
Variables store values that can be reused in playbooks. They make automation flexible and dynamic.
19. What are facts in Ansible?
Facts are system information gathered automatically from managed nodes. For example, IP address, OS type, and memory details.
20. What is Ansible Vault?
Ansible Vault is used to encrypt sensitive data like passwords. It ensures security in automation scripts.
21. What is YAML?
YAML stands for Yet Another Markup Language. It is a simple format used to write Ansible playbooks.
22. What is ad-hoc command?
Ad-hoc commands are one-line commands used for quick tasks. They are useful for testing or simple operations.
23. What is a play in Ansible?
A play defines a set of tasks to run on specific hosts. A playbook can contain multiple plays.
24. What is a tag in Ansible?
Tags allow you to run specific tasks in a playbook. They help execute selected parts of automation.
25. What is a loop in Ansible?
Loops allow repeating a task multiple times. They are useful when working with lists of items.
26. What is a template in Ansible?
Templates use Jinja2 syntax to generate dynamic configuration files. They allow variables inside configuration files.
27. What is Jinja2?
Jinja2 is a templating engine used in Ansible. It helps create dynamic content in templates.
28. What is a callback plugin?
Callback plugins control how Ansible output is displayed. They customize logging and reporting behavior.
29. What is a module library?
Module library is the location where Ansible modules are stored. Users can add custom modules here.
30. What is a dynamic inventory?
Dynamic inventory automatically fetches hosts from cloud providers. It is useful for AWS, Azure, and other cloud platforms.
31. What is Ansible Tower?
Ansible Tower is a web-based UI for managing Ansible. It provides role-based access control and scheduling features.
32. What is Ansible AWX?
AWX is the open-source version of Ansible Tower. It provides a web interface and API for automation management.
33. What is orchestration in Ansible?
Orchestration means coordinating multiple systems together. Ansible can manage complex multi-tier deployments.
34. What is provisioning?
Provisioning is the process of setting up new servers. Ansible can automate server setup and configuration.
35. What is the Ansible configuration file?
The ansible.cfg file controls Ansible behavior. It defines default settings like inventory location.
36. What is a group in inventory?
A group is a collection of hosts in the inventory file. It helps apply tasks to multiple servers at once.
37. What is host_vars and group_vars?
These are directories used to store variables. host_vars applies to specific hosts, while group_vars applies to groups.
38. What is become in Ansible?
Become allows privilege escalation (like sudo). It helps run tasks with administrative permissions.
39. What is check mode?
Check mode performs a dry run of a playbook. It shows what changes would occur without applying them.
40. What is a strategy in Ansible?
Strategy controls how tasks run across hosts. For example, linear or free execution modes.
41. What is a collection in Ansible?
A collection is a distribution format for roles, modules, and plugins. It helps organize and share automation content.
42. How does Ansible ensure security?
Ansible uses SSH for secure communication. It also supports encryption using Vault.
43. What is pipelining in Ansible?
Pipelining reduces SSH operations to improve performance. It speeds up execution by minimizing connection overhead.
44. What is a playbook run?
A playbook run is the execution of defined tasks. It applies the desired state to managed nodes.
45. What is register in Ansible?
Register stores the output of a task in a variable. It allows conditional actions based on results.
46. What is a conditional in Ansible?
Conditionals use “when” statements to control task execution. Tasks run only if conditions are met.
47. What is Ansible used in DevOps?
Ansible automates deployment and configuration processes. It helps achieve Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD).
48. What are plugins in Ansible?
Plugins extend Ansible’s functionality. Examples include connection plugins and lookup plugins.
49. What is an Ansible collection namespace?
Namespace is a unique name for organizing collections. It prevents naming conflicts between different collections.
50. Why is Ansible popular?
Ansible is simple, agentless, and easy to learn. It is widely used in DevOps and cloud automation environments.
Conclusion
Ansible is one of the most powerful and beginner-friendly automation tools used in modern IT environments. Its simple YAML syntax, agentless architecture, and strong community support make it an excellent choice for configuration management, application deployment, and infrastructure automation.
By preparing these top 50 Ansible interview questions and answers, beginners can build a solid foundation in core concepts like playbooks, inventory, modules, variables, and roles. Understanding these basics not only helps you clear interviews but also strengthens your practical DevOps skills.
Consistent practice, hands-on lab experience, and real-world scenario preparation will further boost your confidence. Keep learning, experiment with playbooks, and stay updated with new features to succeed in your Ansible and DevOps career journey.
