ansible

Getting real with system management via ansible-pull.

Per-system configuration is handled via local files to the provisioned machine, rather than using a hosts file. This keeps future hosts private and allows changing what's on the machine without code changes and releases. The files are accessed via the show-config and edit-config aliases.

Disclaimer

This setup is specific to the maintainer's devices and needs. You're welcome to use it as an example for your needs, but do not expect it to work as-is.

Currently Supported Linux Systems

Debian Family

Debian

100%, but only if using a recent enough version of Ansible. pip usually has a better version than apt.

Ubuntu

100%, both server and desktop.

Pop!_OS

100%, have not used for a while though.

Mint

100%, but not really used, just tested once for fun.

Parrot Security OS (MATE)

100% for a while, but OS did not serve maintainer's needs and 404 errors were terrible while updating. Ubuntu Rolling Rhino filled the gap.

Arch Family

Manjaro

100% at some point.

Fedora Family

Fedora 35

Workstation: 100% Server: 100%

Suse Family

openSUSE Tumbleweed v2022-02-17

Generic: 100% Workstation: 100%

openSUSE Leap 15.4

Generic: 100% Workstation: Currently failing at [Workstation | Linux | Flatpak Distro | Package Manager | Install From Repo] with message Problem: nothing provides libedataserver-1.2.so.24 needed by the to be installed evolution-data-server-32bit-3.34.4-3.3.1.x86_64.

NixOS

99%, still need to get Telegraf going and refactor local.yml but everything else is working well. It is automatically implementing git.hyperling.com/me/env-nixos.

Currently Supported Unix Systems

FreeBSD 12, 13

100%, although GUI is not working completely on 13 yet (dash-to-dock doesn't compile). Software choices are slightly more limited since not flatpak-enabled and not feeling a ports setup.

Waiting To Be Tested

Kali Linux

Arch Linux ARM

Specifically for the Pinephone.

Arch Linux x86

Would be great to have Arch get built up by this. Used for many years but left after update problems due to a long computer hiatus.

Fedora Mobile

Specifically for the Pinephone.

Future Goals

Eventually some of the scripts and install files will be put into the files folder. This will allow initializing systems outside of the maintainer's home network.

There may also be a refactor of task-specific facts to be in their task file so that some playbooks can be more self-sufficient and be provided to the community without hacking. The original goal was to never define facts in tasks, but the benefit has yet to be seen for some tasks. Shared facts will definitely continue to exist under the facts tree.

Other Notes

Get Setup Values

Use this command to see the variables for a system: ansible localhost -m setup --connection=local.