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Ansible Sandbox Documentation

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Learn, experiment, and master Ansible automation in a safe environment

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Introduction

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+ Welcome to the ArgoBox Ansible Sandbox! This environment provides a safe and isolated space for learning + and experimenting with Ansible automation. Whether you're new to Ansible or an experienced user, our + sandbox offers the perfect platform to develop and test your automation skills. +

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+ + Note
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The Ansible Sandbox is part of the ArgoBox Lab Environment, designed to provide hands-on experience + with enterprise-grade automation tools.

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Web Server Deployment

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- Deploy a Nginx web server with a sample website in a controlled environment. -

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- - Runtime: ~3 min -
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- - 1 VM -
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Docker Compose Stack

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- Deploy a multi-container application using Docker Compose with automatic configuration. -

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- - Runtime: ~5 min -
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- - 1 VM -
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K3s Kubernetes Cluster

- Advanced -
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- Deploy a lightweight Kubernetes cluster with basic services and sample application. -

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- - Runtime: ~8 min -
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- - 3 VMs -
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LAMP Stack

- Intermediate -
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- Deploy a Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP stack with a sample application. -

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- - Runtime: ~4 min -
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Security Hardening

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- Apply security best practices to a Linux server including firewall, SSH hardening, and more. -

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- - Runtime: ~6 min -
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- - 1 VM -
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Playbook
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Configuration
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Output
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VM Status
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- 1 - --- -
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- 2 - # Web Server Deployment Playbook -
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- 3 - # This playbook installs and configures a basic Nginx web server -
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- 5 - - name: Deploy Web Server -
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- 6 - hosts: all -
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- 7 - become: yes -
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- 8 - vars: -
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- 9 - web_domain: example.local -
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- 10 - web_root: /var/www/html -
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- 11 - enable_https: false -
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- 12 - web_color: blue -
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- 13 - -
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- 14 - tasks: -
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- 15 - - name: Update apt cache -
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- 16 - apt: -
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- 17 - update_cache: yes -
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- 18 - cache_valid_time: 3600 -
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- 20 - - name: Install Nginx and required packages -
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- 21 - apt: -
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- 22 - name: -
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- 23 - - nginx -
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- 24 - - curl -
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- 25 - state: present -
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- 26 - -
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- 27 - - name: Create web root directory -
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- 28 - file: -
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- 29 - path: "{{ web_root }}" -
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- 30 - state: directory -
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- 31 - mode: '0755' -
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- 32 - -
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- 33 - - name: Create sample website -
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- 34 - template: -
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- 35 - src: templates/index.html.j2 -
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- 36 - dest: "{{ web_root }}/index.html" -
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- 37 - mode: '0644' -
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- 38 - -
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- 39 - - name: Configure Nginx virtual host -
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- 40 - template: -
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- 41 - src: templates/nginx.conf.j2 -
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- 42 - dest: /etc/nginx/sites-available/{{ web_domain }} -
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- 43 - notify: restart nginx -
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- 44 - -
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- 45 - - name: Enable Nginx virtual host -
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- 46 - file: -
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- 47 - src: /etc/nginx/sites-available/{{ web_domain }} -
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- 48 - dest: /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/{{ web_domain }} -
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- 49 - state: link -
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- 50 - notify: restart nginx -
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- 51 - -
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- 52 - - name: Start Nginx -
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- 53 - service: -
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- 54 - name: nginx -
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- 55 - state: started -
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- 56 - enabled: yes -
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- 57 - -
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- 58 - handlers: -
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- 59 - - name: restart nginx -
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- 60 - service: -
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- 61 - name: nginx -
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- 62 - state: restarted -
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Domain name for the Nginx virtual host.
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Directory path where website files will be stored.
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Color theme for the sample website.
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Operating system for the virtual machine.
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Resource allocation for the virtual machine.
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- PLAY [Deploy Web Server] *************************************************** - - TASK [Gathering Facts] ***************************************************** - ok: [webserver] - - TASK [Update apt cache] **************************************************** - ok: [webserver] - - TASK [Install Nginx and required packages] ******************************** - ok: [webserver] - - TASK [Create web root directory] ******************************************* - ok: [webserver] - - TASK [Create sample website] *********************************************** - changed: [webserver] - - TASK [Configure Nginx virtual host] **************************************** - changed: [webserver] - - TASK [Enable Nginx virtual host] ******************************************* - changed: [webserver] - - TASK [Start Nginx] ********************************************************* - ok: [webserver] - - RUNNING HANDLER [restart nginx] ******************************************** - changed: [webserver] - - PLAY RECAP ***************************************************************** - webserver : ok=9 changed=4 unreachable=0 failed=0 skipped=0 rescued=0 ignored=0 - - VERIFICATION ************************************************************** - Testing website availability... - Website is accessible at: http://192.168.122.10 - Website deployed successfully! -
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webserver (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS)
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1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, 20GB Storage
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Running
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Sandbox environment active for 15 more minutes
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Prerequisites

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System Requirements

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  • Access to ArgoBox Lab Environment
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  • Basic understanding of YAML syntax
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  • Familiarity with command-line interface
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  • Text editor or IDE for writing playbooks
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Required Knowledge

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+ While no prior Ansible experience is required, basic understanding of the following concepts will be + helpful: +

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  • Linux/Unix command line basics
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  • SSH and basic networking concepts
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  • Version control with Git (optional)
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Quick Start Guide

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+ + Important +
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Make sure you have completed the initial setup and have your credentials ready before proceeding.

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Getting Started Steps

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  1. Log in to your ArgoBox environment
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  2. Navigate to the Ansible Sandbox section
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  3. Create your first playbook using the provided templates
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  4. Test your playbook in the sandbox environment
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+# Example playbook structure
+---
+- name: My First Playbook
+  hosts: sandbox
+  tasks:
+    - name: Ensure Apache is installed
+      ansible.builtin.package:
+        name: apache2
+        state: present
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+ +
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Sandbox Environment

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+ Our sandbox environment provides a fully isolated space where you can experiment with Ansible playbooks + without affecting production systems. The environment includes multiple target hosts, common services, and + pre-configured inventory files. +

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Available Resources

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ResourceDescriptionStatus
Control NodeMain Ansible control serverAvailable
Target Hosts3 Ubuntu servers for testingAvailable
Example PlaybooksPre-configured templatesAvailable
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+ + + View Full Documentation + +
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