Mastering Ansible for Enterprise Automation

You're under pressure. Systems are complex, change velocity is accelerating, and manual configuration isn’t scaling. Every unplanned outage erodes trust, every deployment delay costs your business credibility. You know automation is the answer, but where do you start when documentation is fragmented and real-world patterns are buried in trial and error?

Mid-level infrastructure engineers and DevOps practitioners like you are being asked to deliver enterprise-grade reliability without the structured knowledge to do it consistently. You're expected to automate at scale, ensure compliance, and enable seamless collaboration – all while reducing risk. The gap between “I’ve used Ansible for simple tasks” and “I confidently design secure, reusable automation architectures” is wider than ever.

Mastering Ansible for Enterprise Automation closes that gap. This is not introductory material. It is the blueprint used by high-performing platform engineers at Fortune 500s and fast-scaling tech firms to standardise, secure, and future-proof automation across thousands of nodes.

One senior infrastructure lead at a global financial services firm used this exact methodology to eliminate 90% of configuration drift across their hybrid cloud estate. In under six weeks, his team reduced deployment failures by 78%, and he presented a board-ready automation maturity roadmap that secured $2.3 million in additional tooling and headcount.

This course delivers a measurable, career-advancing outcome: You will go from sporadic playbook usage to architecting a fully governed, enterprise-scale Ansible automation framework – complete with role-based access control, centralised logging, change auditing, and integration with CI/CD and ITSM workflows.

Here’s how this course is structured to help you get there.

Course Format & Delivery Details

Self-Paced. Immediate Online Access. Zero Risk.

This course is designed for professionals who need depth without disruption. You get immediate online access to the full learning environment, structured to fit around your real-world responsibilities. There are no fixed dates, no time zones to manage, and no mandatory live sessions. You progress at your own pace, on your own schedule.

Most learners complete the core curriculum in 18 to 22 hours, with many reporting implementable results within the first three modules. By the end of your first week, you’ll have built your first reusable, enterprise-aligned role architecture and configured execution environments for safe, isolated testing.

Enrolment grants you lifetime access to all course materials. This means every future update, new module, or expanded best practice guide is delivered to you at no additional cost. As Ansible evolves, so does your knowledge – permanently.

All content is accessible 24/7 from any device, including smartphones and tablets. Whether you’re reviewing a YAML syntax pattern on your commute or testing a playbook structure during a downtime window, your access is uninterrupted and fully responsive.

Instructor Support & Learning Guidance

You are not alone. Every section includes direct access to subject-matter experts via structured support forums. Our lead architects, who have deployed Ansible at organisations with 50,000+ managed nodes, monitor queries daily and provide actionable feedback. This is not automated chat or ticketing – it’s real guidance from practitioners who’ve solved the exact challenges you’re facing.

Your success is further ensured by embedded troubleshooting guides, annotated debug workflows, and decision trees for common failure scenarios – all designed to minimise frustration and maximise confidence.

Certificate of Completion – Globally Recognised Credential

Upon finishing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service. This credential is trusted by hiring managers across AWS, Google Cloud, Accenture, Deloitte, and leading financial institutions. It demonstrates not just completion, but mastery of enterprise automation principles aligned with ITIL 4, DevOps Institute, and NIST frameworks.

The certificate includes a unique verification ID, enabling employers to validate your achievement instantly. It is formatted for seamless integration into your LinkedIn profile, CV, or internal promotion packet.

No Hidden Fees. Transparent Pricing. Full Refund Promise.

The price you see is the price you pay – there are no recurring fees, upsells, or concealed charges. This is a one-time investment in lasting capability.

We accept all major payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. No additional currency conversion fees are applied by our platform.

If at any point within 60 days you find this course does not deliver on its promises, contact us for a full, no-questions-asked refund. Your risk is zero. Our confidence in the outcome is absolute.

Enrollment Confirmation & Access

After enrollment, you will receive a confirmation email summarising your purchase. Shortly thereafter, a separate email will deliver your access details to the learning portal. This ensures a smooth onboarding experience and allows us to verify your enrolment securely. You will not be asked to wait or follow complex setup steps – just log in and begin learning.

“Will This Work for Me?” – Addressing Your Biggest Concern

You might be thinking: “I’ve tried other courses before. They were too basic, too academic, or never worked in my environment.” We’ve heard it all – from junior engineers to infrastructure directors.

Here’s the difference: This course was built by engineers who deployed Ansible in air-gapped government networks, regulated healthcare systems, and hybrid cloud environments with legacy mainframes. It works because it’s not theoretical. It’s battle-tested.

This works even if:

• You’ve only used Ansible for small playbooks so far
• Your environment includes Windows, AIX, or custom appliances
• You’re required to meet SOC 2, ISO 27001, or PCI-DSS compliance
• You’re expected to collaborate with security, networking, and app teams
• You’re transitioning from legacy tools like Puppet or Chef

Real learners, real results:

“I went from writing ad-hoc playbooks to leading the design of our company’s Ansible Tower implementation. Within two months of finishing this course, I was assigned to the cloud migration taskforce and received a 17% salary increase.” – Lakshmi R., Senior Automation Engineer, Manufacturing Sector

Our goal is not just to teach you Ansible – it’s to make you the go-to expert in your organisation. The content, support, and certification are all engineered to deliver that outcome. You gain more than knowledge. You gain influence, security, and undeniable career momentum.

Module 1: Foundations of Enterprise Automation

• Understanding the evolution from manual systems to infrastructure as code
• Defining enterprise automation: scale, security, and repeatability
• Ansible’s role in modern DevOps and IT operations
• Comparing Ansible with Terraform, Chef, Puppet, and SaltStack
• Core components of the Ansible architecture: control node, managed nodes, inventory
• Installing and validating Ansible in isolated test environments
• Configuring ansible.cfg for enterprise consistency
• Managing SSH keys and authentication securely
• Setting up passwordless sudo for automation workflows
• Verifying connectivity using ad-hoc commands
• Understanding idempotency and why it matters in production
• Selecting the right Ansible version for stability and support
• Creating secure virtual environments for development and testing
• Establishing naming conventions for hosts and groups
• Best practices for initial environment setup

Module 2: Managing Inventory at Scale

• Static vs dynamic inventory: when to use each
• Writing structured YAML inventory files for readability
• Nesting groups for hierarchical infrastructure models
• Defining group variables with clear inheritance rules
• Using host_vars and group_vars effectively
• Building dynamic inventory scripts for cloud providers
• Integrating AWS EC2 dynamic inventory
• Configuring Azure RM dynamic inventory
• Setting up Google Cloud Platform inventory scripts
• Using OpenStack dynamic inventory
• Building custom Python-based inventory plugins
• Securing dynamic inventory with API keys and encryption
• Managing inventory for hybrid cloud and on-prem environments
• Validating inventory structure using ansible-inventory command
• Exporting inventory in JSON format for integration
• Automating inventory synchronisation with external systems

Module 3: Writing Readable and Reusable Playbooks

• YAML syntax best practices: indentation, spacing, and formatting
• Structuring playbooks for clarity and maintainability
• Defining hosts, become, and connection parameters
• Using handlers to trigger restarts only when needed
• Understanding task execution order and dependencies
• Naming tasks clearly to improve logging and auditing
• Adding tags to control execution selectively
• Using blocks for logical grouping and error handling
• Implementing rescue and always blocks for robustness
• Setting timeouts for long-running tasks
• Controlling task failure with failed_when and changed_when
• Using run_once to execute tasks on a single host
• Debugging playbooks using debug module and verbosity flags
• Validating playbook syntax with ansible-lint
• Writing playbooks that meet SOC 2 and compliance standards

Module 4: Mastering Variables and Facts

• Prioritising the six levels of variable precedence
• Defining variables in inventory, play, and task levels
• Using vars_files to modularise configuration
• Encrypting sensitive data with Ansible Vault
• Using vault passwords stored in files or scripts
• Rotating vault passwords securely
• Creating encrypted variables for production deployments
• Viewing and registering facts from managed nodes
• Disabling fact gathering when unnecessary
• Custom facts with local and remote execution
• Processing fact data in templates and conditionals
• Using set_fact to persist data across tasks
• Registering command output for decision making
• Using the combine filter for merging dictionaries
• Validating variable inputs with assertions

Module 5: Role-Based Design for Reusability

• Understanding the role directory structure
• Converting playbooks into reusable roles
• Using meta/main.yml for role dependencies
• Defining default variables in roles
• Creating task files with clear responsibility boundaries
• Organising handlers, templates, and files within roles
• Using role parameters to customise behaviour
• Sharing roles via Ansible Galaxy
• Downloading and versioning third-party roles
• Overriding role defaults safely
• Validating role integrity before deployment
• Testing role execution in isolation
• Creating internal role repositories for enterprise use
• Documenting role inputs and outputs for team use
• Enforcing role versioning with semantic standards

Module 6: Leveraging Ansible Collections

• Understanding the shift from modules to collections
• Installing collections via ansible-galaxy
• Managing collection dependencies in requirements.yml
• Using community.general, ansible.posix, and ansible.builtin
• Integrating Red Hat and AWS collections
• Using Google Cloud and Azure collections for infrastructure
• Building private collections for internal tools
• Publishing collections to private automation hubs
• Versioning and deprecating collections securely
• Testing collection compatibility across Ansible versions
• Automating collection installation in CI/CD pipelines
• Creating custom modules within collections
• Writing documentation for internal collections
• Integrating proprietary API clients into collections
• Auditing collection usage across teams

Module 7: Templating with Jinja2

• Basics of Jinja2 syntax: variables, expressions, and filters
• Using templates to generate configuration files
• Embedding variables in config files with .j2 extensions
• Controlling output with loops and conditionals
• Nesting templates for complex configurations
• Using common filters: upper, lower, trim, replace
• Processing lists with map and select filters
• Handling undefined variables gracefully
• Escaping Jinja2 syntax when needed
• Debugging template rendering issues
• Validating template output before deployment
• Using include_vars within templates
• Generating network device configurations dynamically
• Creating custom Jinja2 filters in Python
• Templating security policies and audit rules

Module 8: Error Handling and Debugging Strategies

• Interpreting common Ansible error messages
• Using -vvv for detailed debugging output
• Reading JSON output from failed tasks
• Using the debug module strategically
• Setting ignore_errors for non-critical tasks
• Using blocks with rescue and always for failure recovery
• Implementing retries with delay and until conditions
• Validating inputs before execution
• Checking service status after configuration changes
• Using asserts to enforce preconditions
• Analysing playbook runtimes for performance bottlenecks
• Logging task execution with custom callbacks
• Integrating with SIEM tools for audit tracking
• Debugging idempotency violations
• Restoring systems after failed automation runs

Module 9: Securing Ansible Deployments

• Principle of least privilege in Ansible execution
• Configuring non-root users with sudo access
• Securing SSH with key-only authentication
• Disabling root login on managed nodes
• Using connection plugins securely (SSH, WinRM)
• Protecting credentials with Ansible Vault
• Storing vault passwords in secure credential managers
• Automating vault operations with scripts
• Encrypting variables for different environments
• Using environment-specific vault files
• Reviewing playbook code for security anti-patterns
• Scanning playbooks with Ansible-lint and custom rules
• Integrating with vulnerability scanners
• Auditing role execution with centralized logging
• Meeting compliance requirements for PCI, HIPAA, GDPR

Module 10: Optimising Performance at Scale

• Controlling parallelism with forks parameter
• Tuning forks for 100, 1000, or 10000+ node environments
• Reducing network overhead with pipelining
• Enabling SSH multiplexing for faster connections
• Using fact caching with Redis or memcached
• Disabling gather_facts when unnecessary
• Selecting execution modes: linear, free, or batch
• Chunking large inventories for safer rollouts
• Using serial keyword for rolling updates
• Monitoring memory and CPU usage on control node
• Offloading work to execution environments
• Configuring control persistence for SSH efficiency
• Parallelising across multiple control nodes
• Using strategy plugins for custom orchestration
• Setting up proxy-based architectures for remote regions

Module 11: Integration with CI/CD Pipelines

• Integrating Ansible with Jenkins pipelines
• Using GitLab CI for automated playbook testing
• Configuring GitHub Actions to validate playbooks
• Building automated linting and syntax checks
• Running idempotency tests in pipeline stages
• Using pre-commit hooks for YAML and Jinja2 checks
• Setting up test environments with Vagrant
• Automating deployment to staging and production
• Using approvals and gates in promotion workflows
• Generating deployment reports automatically
• Rolling back failed deployments with automated playbooks
• Integrating with Argo CD for GitOps workflows
• Triggering Ansible from pull requests
• Validating infrastructure state post-deployment
• Logging CI/CD execution in audit trails

Module 12: Change Management and Auditing

• Embedding change ticket IDs in playbooks
• Requiring approvals before critical changes
• Logging playbook runs with custom callback plugins
• Integrating with ServiceNow change management
• Syncing Ansible Tower with Jira Service Management
• Generating pre-implementation checks automatically
• Enforcing playbook sign-off workflows
• Tracking who ran what, when, and where
• Producing audit-ready reports for compliance
• Using tags to classify change types (security, patch, config)
• Creating rollback playbooks for every change
• Documenting changes in centralized knowledge bases
• Validating RFC adherence in automated workflows
• Reviewing change velocity over time
• Analysing failure rates by change type

Module 13: Enterprise Orchestration with Ansible Tower

• Understanding Ansible Automation Platform components
• Installing and configuring Ansible Tower
• Setting up organisations, users, and teams
• Defining role-based access control (RBAC)
• Creating projects for playbook version control
• Managing job templates with pre-configured parameters
• Scheduling recurring automation tasks
• Launching playbooks via REST API
• Integrating Tower with external monitoring tools
• Setting up notifications for job success and failure
• Using survey templates for user input
• Controlling access to credentials and secrets
• Reviewing job history and execution logs
• Exporting logs to SIEM solutions
• Implementing high availability for Tower nodes

Module 14: Advanced Networking Automation

• Using network_cli for switch and router automation
• Configuring Cisco IOS, NX-OS, and ASA devices
• Automating Juniper JunOS configurations
• Managing Arista EOS with Ansible modules
• Using provider patterns for device authentication
• Handling enable mode and privilege escalation
• Pushing bulk configuration updates safely
• Validating configuration syntax before deployment
• Backing up device configurations automatically
• Scheduling firmware upgrades across chassis
• Integrating with NetBox for source of truth
• Enforcing network compliance policies
• Generating network diagrams from inventory data
• Automating firewall rule provisioning
• Rolling back configurations after failed commits

Module 15: Cloud Infrastructure Automation

• Provisioning EC2 instances with tags and IAM roles
• Configuring VPCs, subnets, and route tables
• Managing security groups dynamically
• Creating and attaching EBS volumes
• Automating RDS instance deployment
• Setting up Azure Virtual Machines and NICs
• Managing Azure Resource Groups and tags
• Configuring Google Cloud Compute instances
• Using GCP storage and networking modules
• Provisioning OpenStack instances and networks
• Destroying cloud resources with cleanup playbooks
• Cost optimisation through scheduled shutdowns
• Tagging resources for chargeback reporting
• Validating cloud security posture automatically
• Integrating with cloud-native monitoring services

Module 16: Windows Automation with Ansible

• Setting up WinRM for Windows node communication
• Configuring PowerShell execution policies
• Enabling Basic Authentication securely
• Managing Windows services with Ansible
• Installing and removing MSI packages
• Configuring Windows features and roles
• Managing registry keys and values
• Handling reboots with async tasks
• Joining machines to Active Directory
• Configuring Group Policy Objects via automation
• Deploying application updates across fleets
• Applying security baselines and CIS benchmarks
• Using Chocolatey for package management
• Logging Windows event logs for compliance
• Validating patch levels post-deployment

Module 17: Advanced Customisation and Extensibility

• Writing custom Ansible modules in Python
• Debugging module execution with test fixtures
• Documenting module inputs and return values
• Using module utility classes for consistency
• Creating custom plugins: lookup, callback, connection
• Building lookup plugins for external data sources
• Developing callback plugins for custom reporting
• Writing filters for complex data manipulation
• Integrating with REST APIs using the uri module
• Handling authentication tokens securely
• Parsing JSON responses and transforming data
• Automating vendor-specific workflows not covered by modules
• Sharing custom code via internal Git repositories
• Versioning custom modules with semantic releases
• Reviewing code quality with pylint and unit tests

Module 18: Governance and Operational Excellence

• Defining enterprise automation standards
• Creating style guides for playbooks and roles
• Establishing code review processes
• Using pull request workflows for peer validation
• Setting up centralised logging and monitoring
• Defining SLAs for automation execution
• Measuring automation coverage across infrastructure
• Tracking technical debt in automation code
• Conducting regular playbook refactoring sprints
• Rotating credentials and certificates automatically
• Planning for Ansible version upgrades
• Deprecating legacy playbooks systematically
• Training new team members with onboarding playbooks
• Building self-documenting automation workflows
• Creating runbooks derived from playbook logic

Module 19: Final Project – Building an Enterprise Framework

• Designing a multi-environment automation strategy
• Mapping infrastructure domains: network, compute, storage
• Setting up role-based access for Dev, Ops, Sec teams
• Implementing secure credential management
• Configuring logging and auditing pipelines
• Building reusable roles for common services
• Creating playbooks for zero-downtime deployments
• Integrating with version control and CI/CD
• Setting up automated testing gates
• Documenting the framework for internal adoption
• Presenting the solution to stakeholders
• Generating a maturity assessment report
• Planning roadmap for future enhancements
• Optimising performance across regions
• Securing executive approval for rollout

Module 20: Certification and Next Steps

• Preparing for the final assessment
• Reviewing core concepts and patterns
• Taking the timed, scenario-based exam
• Receiving instant feedback on performance
• Downloading your Certificate of Completion
• Verifying your certificate via The Art of Service portal
• Adding the credential to LinkedIn and CV
• Joining the alumni network of automation professionals
• Accessing exclusive job boards and mentorship
• Staying updated with monthly best practice digests
• Contributing to open-source Ansible projects
• Presenting at internal tech talks and conferences
• Leading automation initiatives in your organisation
• Transitioning to SRE, Platform Engineering, or Cloud Architecture
• Lifetime access renewal and update notifications