AWX Complete Guide: Install, Configure, and Use Ansible AWX
By Luca Berton · Published 2024-01-01 · Category: installation
Complete AWX guide: install AWX on Kubernetes with the AWX Operator, configure projects, inventories, job templates, credentials, and workflows. AWX vs AAP comparison, migration path, and production best practices.
What Is AWX?
AWX is the open-source upstream project for Red Hat's Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) Controller. It provides a web UI, REST API, and task engine for managing Ansible automation at scale.
Think of AWX as the community edition of AAP's Automation Controller — same core engine, no enterprise features like Automation Mesh, Event-Driven Ansible, or Red Hat support.
AWX vs AAP
| Feature | AWX | AAP | |---------|-----|-----| | Cost | Free | Subscription | | Support | Community | Red Hat 24/7 | | Platform Gateway | ❌ | ✅ | | Automation Hub | ❌ (Galaxy only) | ✅ | | Event-Driven Ansible | ❌ | ✅ | | Automation Mesh | ❌ | ✅ | | Lightspeed AI | ❌ | ✅ | | Certified Content | ❌ | ✅ | | FIPS compliance | ❌ | ✅ | | Release cycle | Rolling (frequent) | 18-month lifecycle | | Install method | K8s Operator | Installer (containerized/RPM/Operator) | | Upgrade path | Manual, sometimes breaking | Supported, documented | | Use case | Dev/test, small teams, learning | Enterprise production |
When to use AWX: Learning Ansible automation, small teams, dev/test environments, organizations with Kubernetes expertise and no budget for AAP.
When to use AAP: Production enterprise environments, compliance requirements, need for support, distributed execution, event-driven automation.
Install AWX
AWX runs on Kubernetes. The AWX Operator is the official installation method.
Prerequisites • Kubernetes cluster (minikube, k3s, EKS, GKE, OpenShift) • kubectl configured • Storage class for persistent volumes • 4 CPU, 8 GB RAM minimum
Install with AWX Operator on K3s
Deploy AWX Instance
Install with Helm (Alternative)
Install on Minikube (Development)
Initial Configuration
1. Create Organization
Or via Ansible:
2. Add Credentials
3. Create Project
4. Create Inventory
5. Create Job Template
6. Create Workflow
7. Schedule Jobs
AWX REST API
Production Best Practices
High Availability
AWX doesn't natively support multi-controller HA like AAP. For production resilience:
External PostgreSQL
Backup and Restore
Monitoring
Upgrading AWX
Warning: AWX upgrades can be breaking between major versions. Always backup before upgrading. There is no rollback path — restore from backup if needed.
FAQ
Is AWX free to use in production?
Yes. AWX is licensed under Apache 2.0 and is free for any use, including production. However, you get no support from Red Hat — you're responsible for installation, upgrades, troubleshooting, and security patches.
Can I migrate from AWX to AAP?
Yes. Use the awx export and awx import commands to migrate organizations, credentials, inventories, projects, job templates, and workflows. Credential secrets must be re-entered. See our AWX to AAP Migration Guide.
Does AWX require Kubernetes?
Yes, since AWX 18.0 (2021). The AWX Operator is the only officially supported installation method. K3s is the simplest Kubernetes option for single-node AWX deployments.
How many managed hosts can AWX handle?
AWX can manage thousands of hosts, but performance depends on your Kubernetes resources. For 500+ hosts, use external PostgreSQL, allocate sufficient CPU/memory, and consider AAP if you need distributed execution (Automation Mesh).
Should I use AWX or ansible-semaphore?
AWX is the upstream of Red Hat's enterprise product — it's battle-tested, feature-rich, and has a clear upgrade path to AAP. Semaphore is lighter but has fewer features. Choose AWX if you might eventually need AAP; choose Semaphore for minimal setups.
Conclusion
AWX provides enterprise-grade Ansible automation management for free. Install it on Kubernetes with the AWX Operator, configure projects, inventories, and job templates, and you have a web-based automation platform with RBAC, scheduling, and an API. For production enterprise needs — support, Automation Mesh, EDA, and certified content — upgrade to AAP.
Related Articles • AAP 2.6 Architecture and Components: Complete Guide • AAP 2.6 Migration from AWX: Complete Upgrade and Data Migration Guide • AAP 2.6 Comparison: What Changed from AAP 2.5 • AAP 2.6 REST API Guide: Automate the Automation Platform • AAP 2.6 Job Templates and Inventories: Complete Configuration Guide
Category: installation