A Preview of Ansible Journey in 2024

Introduction

Welcome to 2024! In this article, we’ll explore the anticipated releases, community dynamics, and upcoming events in the realm of Ansible, the open-source IT automation platform. I’m Luca Berton, an Ansible Automation Expert, here to provide insights into what the year holds for this dynamic technology.

See also: Highlights from Ansible Community Newsletter - Issue #127

Ansible Overview

Ansible, led by Red Hat, is an open-source project integral to IT automation. The Ansible core, serving as the automation engine, powers various releases. The community plays a pivotal role, and transparency is evident through the changelog, illustrating the correspondence between community packages and Ansible core versions.

Release Cycle and Events

Typically, Ansible witnesses two major releases each year. In 2024, we expect the same pattern: Ansible 2.17 in May and Ansible 2.18 in November. Special attention is given to Ansible 2.9, which is still widely adopted despite reaching end-of-life status, particularly in network devices and special equipment.

The first release of 2024 is expected on January 29th, following a December 2023 release addressing a security issue. Community support extends beyond the latest release, Playbooknstrating a commitment to maintaining previous versions. • https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/roadmap/ROADMAP_2_17.html • https://groups.google.com/g/ansible-devel/c/ZMr4uv4TRCY

See also: Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform book by Luca Berton

Key Events

The first notable event is FOSDEM in Brussels, occurring in February, along with the Configuration Management Camp in Ghent. Additionally, AnsibleFest, hosted in Denver, Colorado, in May, promises an array of sessions and expert insights. The community forum and Ansible Automate Global Tour offer additional avenues for engagement. • https://forum.ansible.com/t/join-us-at-fosdem-and-cfgmgmtcamp-2024/2555 • https://www.redhat.com/en/summit • https://www.redhat.com/en/events/automates?eventlocations=north-america

Community Initiatives

The Ansible community continues to evolve with the introduction of the Ansible Forum, providing a centralized space for discussions, project contributions, and announcements. Matrix communication and IRC systems facilitate diverse social interactions, while Ansible Community Day events across the globe foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. • https://forum.ansible.com • https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/management/ansibleblog/author/the-ansible-community-team

See also: Enhancing Ansible Documentation: Best Practices for Maintainable Playbooks

Website Revamp

A significant development is the overhaul of the Ansible.com website, transitioning to a community-focused platform. Previews showcase a renewed emphasis on the Ansible ecosystem and related projects. The official mailing list, Bullhorn, is promoted for enhanced community engagement. • https://ansible-community-website.readthedocs.io

Ansible Automation Platform

The commercial counterpart, Ansible Automation Platform, follows a release cycle aligned with the core Ansible releases. Noteworthy is the extended support cycle for Ansible Automation Platform 1.2, incorporating Ansible Engine 2.9, which will be available until the end of 2024. This signals a transitional phase for enterprises towards embracing the latest technology. • https://access.redhat.com/support/policy/updates/ansible-automation-platform

Expectations for 2024

Looking ahead, Ansible 2.5 is anticipated to build on Red Hat’s efforts in validated and certified content, fostering collaboration with ISV partners. The integration of AI-driven tools like Ansible Lightspeed and the broader availability of event-driven automation exemplify Ansible’s commitment to innovation. • https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/automate-expert-ansible-validated-content • https://developers.redhat.com/products/ansible/lightspeed

Conclusion

As we venture into 2024, the Ansible community continues to thrive, embracing new technologies and fostering collaboration. Whether you’re an enthusiast, developer, or enterprise user, Ansible promises an exciting journey ahead. Stay tuned for the upcoming releases, events, and advancements, and let’s embark on this automation adventure together.

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• Ansible 14.0.0a3 Pre-Release: What's New in Ansible 14 (Preview) • Ansible London 2024

Related: Ansible Event-Driven Automation (EDA)