Ansible Linux Users and Groups: Complete Management Guide (Examples)
By Luca Berton · Published 2024-01-01 · Category: troubleshooting
Complete guide to managing Linux users and groups with Ansible. Create users, set passwords, manage groups, SSH keys, home directories, and sudo access with examples.
Automating your Linux user management (local user and group) with Ansible enables you to achieve Infrastructure As Code (IaC). Using IaC you're going to be able to automate your workflow, your CI/CD pipelines for example, and be faster about your critical business demands.
Beginners
Ansible provides various modules to manage user management (local user and group). I'll show you step by step how to prepare your Ansible controller to interact with the Linux user and group directory. This initial configuration sometimes is a roadblock for some Docker users to start using Ansible.
User management • Create user account - Ansible module user • Add a User to a Second Group on Linux - Ansible module user " >}}) • Change the User Primary Group on Linux - Ansible module user • Change user password - Ansible module user.md • User password expiration - Ansible module user • Enable user account - Ansible module user.md • Disable user account - Ansible module user • Remove user account - Ansible module user
Group management • Create a group - Ansible module group • Delete a group - Ansible module group
PostgreSQL • Allow md5 Connection for a PostgreSQL User or Role - Ansible module postgresql_pg_hba • Create a PostgreSQL User or Role - Ansible module postgresql_user • Grant Privileges to User or Role on PostgreSQL Database - Ansible module postgresql_privs
Windows • Change local user password on Windows-like systems - Ansible module win_user.md • Create a local group on Windows-like systems - Ansible module win_group.md • Create a local user on Windows-like systems - Ansible module win_user • Remove a local group on Windows-like systems - Ansible module win_group.md • Remove a local user on Windows-like systems - Ansible module win_user.md
AWX • Create Ansible AWX superuser in Docker containers - Ansible AWX.md
Troubleshooting • Ansible troubleshooting - This command has to be run under the root user • Ansible troubleshooting - Unhandled exception while executing module win_user • Ansible troubleshooting - user module bug.md
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Conclusion
Now you know how you could automate your Linux user management (local user and group) using Ansible Automation technology.
Create User with All Options
Bulk User Management
Sudo Access
Remove Users
Password Expiry Policy
System Accounts (No Login)
Complete Role Pattern
FAQ
How do I lock/unlock an account?
How do I check if a user exists?
What's the difference between group and groups? • group: Primary group (one only) • groups: Supplementary groups (comma-separated list) • append: true: Add to groups without removing from existing ones
Related Articles • Ansible Docker Guide • What is Ansible AWX • Ansible for Windows Guide
Category: troubleshooting