Efficient Automation with Ansible: 12 Performance Best Practices for 2026

Efficient Automation with Ansible: A Practical Guide for DevOps Professionals

By Michael Knyazev, Gineesh Madapparambath, and Nicholas Wong

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of technology, automation has become an indispensable tool for streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and delivering value to customers. To guide professionals through the intricacies of automation, Red Hat presents a comprehensive and practical guide titled "Efficient Automation with Ansible." Authored by experts in the field, including Michael Knyazev, Gineesh Madapparambath, and Nicholas Wong, this 48-page resource is a valuable asset for DevOps professionals, engineers, architects, product owners, and operations managers.

Overview of the Guide

The guide employs a case study as its foundation, providing real-world scenarios and practical insights to support a broad community of automation specialists. It offers a hands-on approach, allowing readers to apply the acquired knowledge immediately in their respective environments. The content is structured to simulate automation progression from the initial stages to the delivery of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), making it accessible and applicable for a diverse audience.

Practical Implementation

The guide's style is deeply practical, with alternating sections that introduce corresponding practices and provide focused recommendations. These insights are complemented by a real-life "sample project" of automation, offering a step-by-step journey from inception to the MVP delivery. For those eager to delve deeper, a possible MVP implementation is available in a personal repository published under the MIT license on GitHub.

The guide's uniqueness lies in its ability to showcase how engineering, product, and agile practitioners can collaborate on automation projects in a structured manner. It emphasizes harmonious work ethics and highlights the value delivered to customers through collaborative efforts.

Key Contributors and Acknowledgments

The collaborative effort behind this guide is evident in the list of authors and contributors. In addition to Michael Knyazev, Gineesh Madapparambath, and Nicholas Wong, contributors such as Donna Benjamin, Jeremie Benazra, Denis Mikhalkin, Frederick Son, and Valentine Schwartz have played crucial roles. Special recognition is extended to Luca Berton for thoughtful recommendations and Sylvia A and Oliver Senti for their invaluable assistance.

See also: Ansible Development: Write Custom Modules, Plugins & Collections

About the Authors

Michael Knyazev: An experienced Hands-on Architect and DevOps Consultant specializing in OpenShift, Ansible, AWS, GCP, and Kafka. Michael's contributions extend to major Red Hat customers in the APAC region, with a track record of delivering valuable outcomes. His extensive experience includes designing Kubernetes-based platforms for TPG Telecom and the Australian National Coronavirus Helpline cloud solution.

Gineesh Madapparambath: A Platform & DevOps Consultant at Red Hat Singapore, Gineesh brings a wealth of experience in Ansible automation, Containerization, and Infrastructure as Code. His expertise spans designing, developing, and deploying automation solutions for tasks such as server building, patching, license management, and network operations.

Nicholas Wong: A force for good, Nicholas is a senior delivery consultant, value stream expert, master coach, and certified instructor. His mission revolves around the betterment of society, working as a guide, coach, and mentor. Nicholas is actively involved in the DevOps, agile coaching, and corporate/personal coaching communities.

Conclusion

"Efficient Automation with Ansible" is not just a guide; it's a collaborative effort to empower professionals in the realm of automation. Whether you are a seasoned DevOps engineer or a newcomer eager to explore the world of automation, this guide provides practical insights and a roadmap for success. Access the guide for free at Red Hat Content Center, and discover how automation can transform your workflows and deliver valuable outcomes for your organization.

See also: Red Hat Summit: Connect 2024 – Future of AI, Cloud, & Automation

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