Ansible VMware Dynamic Inventory: Complete Guide (2026)
By Luca Berton · Published 2024-01-01 · Category: installation
Complete guide to Ansible VMware dynamic inventory. Configure vmware.vmware.vms plugin, filter VMs, migrate from deprecated community.vmware inventory with examples.
Overview
VMware dynamic inventory plugins automatically discover virtual machines from vSphere and populate your Ansible inventory. This eliminates manual host management and keeps your inventory in sync with your virtual infrastructure.
Important: Plugin Deprecation
The community.vmware.vmware_vm_inventory plugin was deprecated in v5.4.0 and will be removed in v7.0.0. Migrate to vmware.vmware.vms for a future-proof setup.
| Plugin | Status | Collection | |--------|--------|------------| | community.vmware.vmware_vm_inventory | ⚠️ Deprecated (remove in 7.0.0) | community.vmware | | vmware.vmware.vms | ✅ Active | vmware.vmware |
Install Collections
New Plugin: vmware.vmware.vms
Basic Configuration
With Filters
Group by Datacenter/Cluster
Legacy Plugin: community.vmware
Migration Guide
Step 1: Install New Collection
Step 2: Update Inventory File
Step 3: Update Property References
Some property names differ between plugins. Test with:
Step 4: Validate Groups
Filtering VMs by Date
A common requirement is filtering VMs by creation date (e.g., VMs created in the last week):
Workaround: Post-Filter with Playbook
Using with AWX/AAP Create a VMware vCenter credential in AWX Create an inventory with Source = Sourced from a project Point to your vmware_inventory.yml file in the project Enable Update on Launch for always-fresh inventory
Credential Security
Troubleshooting
No hosts returned
SSL certificate errors
Slow inventory refresh
FAQ
When will community.vmware inventory be removed?
In community.vmware collection version 7.0.0 (expected late 2026). Start migrating now.
Can I filter by custom attributes?
Yes — use config.annotation for notes, or custom attributes via the properties list.
How often does dynamic inventory refresh?
Every time you run a playbook, unless you enable caching. In AWX/AAP, configure sync schedules.
Related Articles • Ansible Inventory Complete Guide • Ansible AWS Complete Guide
Category: installation