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Table of Contents Link to heading

Managing network infrastructure is a repetitive and time-consuming task. As networks grow, manually configuring switches, routers, and firewalls becomes unmanageable. Ansible, an open-source automation tool, simplifies network management by automating repetitive tasks, ensuring consistency, and reducing human error.

To further streamline automation, AWX, the upstream project of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, provides a web-based interface for managing Ansible playbooks, inventories, and job scheduling.

This blog will cover:

  • Why network engineers should automate with Ansible
  • Setting up Ansible for network automation
  • Practical playbook examples for common automation tasks
  • Using AWX for centralised Ansible management
  • Best practices for scaling automation across a large network

By the end, you’ll be equipped to automate network operations efficiently and securely.

Why Automate Network Tasks with Ansible? Link to heading

Network engineers frequently perform routine tasks such as:

  • Configuring new devices
  • Deploying ACLs (Access Control Lists)
  • Updating firmware across routers/switches
  • Monitoring network health and collecting logs

Manually executing these tasks is error-prone and slow. Ansible eliminates these inefficiencies through agentless automation, allowing engineers to manage devices declaratively without logging into each node individually.

Key Benefits of Ansible for Networking: Link to heading

  1. No agents required: Ansible connects directly via SSH
  2. Declarative and idempotent: Ensures predictable configurations
  3. Human-readable YAML syntax: Easy for engineers to learn and modify
  4. Supports multi-vendor environments: Works across Cisco, Arista, Juniper, Fortinet, etc.
  5. Integrates with AWX for web-based automation management

Setting Up Ansible for Network Automation Link to heading

Install Ansible Link to heading

Ansible is available via pip (Python package manager):

pip install ansible

Verify installation:

ansible --version

Configure Ansible Inventory Link to heading

The inventory file defines the network devices you’ll manage. Example:

[routers]
router1 ansible_host=192.168.1.1 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass ansible_network_os=cisco_ios
router2 ansible_host=192.168.1.2 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass ansible_network_os=cisco_ios

[switches]
switch1 ansible_host=192.168.2.1 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass ansible_network_os=arista_eos
switch2 ansible_host=192.168.2.2 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass ansible_network_os=arista_eos

Ansible will use SSH to connect and execute commands remotely.

Automating Network Tasks with Playbooks Link to heading

Info
Read more at 🔗.

Using AWX for Centralised Ansible Automation Link to heading

What is AWX? Link to heading

AWX is the open-source upstream project of Red Hat’s Ansible Automation Platform, providing a web-based UI and API to manage Ansible workflows. It enables teams to execute playbooks, monitor job status, and automate scheduling without relying solely on the command line.

AWX Features Link to heading

  1. Web interface for job scheduling
  2. Graphical dashboard for monitoring Ansible playbook execution
  3. Role-based access control (RBAC) for managing automation permissions
  4. Git integration for sourcing playbooks dynamically
  5. REST API for automated triggers and event-driven responses

Installing AWX Link to heading

AWX is typically deployed using Docker or Kubernetes. Here’s how to set up AWX using Docker (ensure Docker and docker-compose are installed):

  1. Install dependencies:

    sudo apt update && sudo apt install docker-compose -y

  2. Clone the AWX repository:

    git clone https://github.com/ansible/awx.git
cd awx

  3. Deploy AWX:

    docker-compose up -d

Once installed, access AWX at http://localhost:8080 and log in.

Managing Playbooks Using AWX’s Web UI Link to heading

AWX simplifies Ansible automation by allowing users to manage playbooks without relying on CLI execution.

Step 1: Create an Inventory Link to heading

Navigate to Inventories → Add New Inventory → Define Hosts.

Example:

[routers]
router1 ansible_host=192.168.1.1 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass ansible_network_os=cisco_ios
router2 ansible_host=192.168.1.2 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass ansible_network_os=cisco_ios

Step 2: Import Playbooks Link to heading

AWX integrates directly with Git repositories to source Ansible playbooks dynamically.

  • Navigate to Projects → Add a Git repository
  • Provide your GitHub URL containing playbooks
  • AWX will automatically sync with Git updates

Step 3: Run Playbooks via AWX Link to heading

Once a playbook is imported, run it via the AWX web UI:

  • Go to Templates → Add Playbook Template
  • Select Inventory & Playbook
  • Click Launch Job

Advanced AWX Features Link to heading

Info
Read more at 🔗.

Best Practices for Ansible Network Automation Link to heading

  1. Use Ansible Vault to store sensitive credentials securely.
  2. Test playbooks in a lab before deploying to production.
  3. Implement role-based automation for structured workflows.
  4. Integrate CI/CD for automated network updates.
  5. Use AWX for managing playbook executions across teams.

Conclusion Link to heading

Ansible transforms network engineering by automating repetitive tasks, reducing errors, and improving scalability. From gathering information, configuring VLANs, to backing up configurations—automation is key to efficient network management.

By leveraging AWX, network engineers gain a centralised platform for managing playbooks, scheduling jobs, and collaborating across teams. It enhances visibility and allows for scalable automation across large infrastructures.