What is Ansible, and why should I learn it?

<text variant="body1">Ansible is an open-source IT automation tool used for configuration management, application deployment, and task automation. Learning Ansible helps you automate repetitive manual processes, reduce human errors, and manage large IT infrastructures efficiently. It’s widely adopted by DevOps teams and cloud engineers, making it a valuable skill in today’s job market.

Is this course suitable for complete beginners?

Absolutely! This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior experience in Ansible or automation. Through simple explanations, real-life analogies, and hands-on demos, you’ll quickly understand how Ansible works and how to start using it confidently in real-world scenarios.

What tools or software do I need for this course?

You’ll only need a computer with internet access and a basic Linux environment (such as a virtual machine or cloud instance). We’ll walk you through any required setup, and you'll primarily use free, open-source tools like Ansible and YAML for exercises.

How long does it take to complete the course?

The course is structured for self-paced learning and can typically be completed in 12 to 16 hours. It includes short, focused video lessons, readings, and interactive assessments to reinforce your understanding quickly and effectively.

Will I be able to run real Ansible playbooks after this course?

Yes! By the end of the course, you’ll be able to write and execute basic Ansible playbooks to automate tasks like user creation, software installation, and configuration management. You’ll also understand the full Ansible workflow and its core architecture.

What makes this course different from other Ansible tutorials?

This course is built with first-time learners in mind—we strip away the jargon, use storytelling and relatable metaphors, and focus on practical use cases. Unlike dense tutorials, we emphasize clarity, short lessons, and real-world relevance, making it easier for you to start applying what you learn immediately.

Is this course useful for DevOps or Cloud professionals?

Definitely! Ansible is a core skill in DevOps, SRE, and cloud automation roles. This course introduces how Ansible integrates with AWS, Azure, GCP, and CI/CD pipelines, making it a great foundational course for cloud professionals and DevOps engineers.

Will I receive a certificate of completion?

Yes, if you buy the course instead of auditing then upon successfully completing all modules and assessments, you’ll receive a certificate of completion that you can showcase on your resume or LinkedIn profile to validate your automation skills.

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Foundation of Ansible Automation

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Foundation of Ansible Automation

This course is part of Ansible Automation: From Fundamentals to Enterprise Specialization

Instructor: Board Infinity

Included with

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Define core concepts, terminology, and components of the Ansible Automation Platform.
Explain the importance of IT automation and how Ansible fits into modern infrastructure.
Compare manual versus automated workflows to understand performance improvements.
Demonstrate basic Ansible operations, including writing and running simple playbooks.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Ansible Automation: From Fundamentals to Enterprise Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

Step into the future of IT operations with Foundations of Ansible Automation — a beginner-friendly course designed to help you automate repetitive, error-prone tasks using the power of the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. Whether you're a system admin tired of manual processes or a curious learner exploring DevOps, this course simplifies the complex world of automation through real-life examples, short videos, and interactive assessments.

You’ll gain practical insights into how Ansible works, its key components, and how organizations worldwide use it to scale operations, save time, and improve reliability. Perfectly suited for those with little to no prior experience, this course is your first step into the world of intelligent IT automation. By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Define core concepts, terminology, and components of the Ansible Automation Platform. - Explain the importance of IT automation and how Ansible fits into modern infrastructure. - Compare manual versus automated workflows to understand performance improvements. - Demonstrate basic Ansible operations, including writing and running simple playbooks. This course is ideal for: - System administrators and IT support professionals seeking to eliminate repetitive manual tasks - DevOps beginners and aspiring automation engineers looking to add Ansible to their toolkit - Cloud practitioners working with AWS, Azure, or GCP who want to integrate automation - Students and tech enthusiasts curious about the future of IT infrastructure and automation Note: This is a Course 1 of specilization series. No prior Ansible experience is required—just basic knowledge of IT systems or Linux is helpful. Disclaimer: This course is an independent educational resource developed by Board Infinity and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or officially associated with International Business Machines Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. This course is not an official preparation material of International Business Machines Corporation. All trademarks, service marks, and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only.

Module details

This introductory module lays the foundation for understanding IT automation. It highlights how automation is transforming traditional IT practices, replacing repetitive, error-prone manual tasks with efficient, scalable solutions. By examining common pain points in legacy operations, learners will understand the rising need for automation in modern digital enterprises and how it delivers speed, reliability, and reduced operational costs.

What's included

10 videos4 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

10 videosTotal 90 minutes

Course Welcome Video2 minutes
From Manual to Magical: What Is IT Automation?9 minutes
Manual IT Tasks: The Old Way of Doing Things13 minutes
Automation in Action: Simple Use Cases14 minutes
The Business Need for Automation17 minutes
Cost, Speed, and Risk: Key Benefits of Automation11 minutes
Manual vs Automated: A Side-by-Side Comparison6 minutes
The Pain Points of System Admins6 minutes
Scaling Manual Tasks: Why It Fails6 minutes
How Automation Solves These Challenges6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Course Syllabus10 minutes
Read More About What is IT Automation?30 minutes
Read More About Why Is Automation Critical Today?30 minutes
Read More About Challenges in Traditional IT Operations30 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 105 minutes

Practice Quiz - What Is IT Automation?15 minutes
Practice Quiz - Why Is Automation Critical Today?15 minutes
Practice Quiz - Challenges in Traditional IT Operations15 minutes
Graded Quiz - Introduction to IT Automation60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Meet and Greet10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 5 minutes

Quick Course Check-In5 minutes

This module introduces Ansible as a leading automation tool. Learners explore its purpose, unique agentless architecture, and foundational components such as playbooks, inventories, modules, and the control node. With visual metaphors and demonstrations, the module simplifies complex concepts, equipping learners with a clear understanding of how Ansible functions behind the scenes.

What's included

7 videos3 readings4 assignments

7 videosTotal 40 minutes

Ansible: The Smart Assistant for IT5 minutes
Why Ansible? – Simplicity, Speed, and Power6 minutes
Agentless Architecture: What Makes Ansible Different?6 minutes
The Building Blocks: Modules, Tasks and Playbooks5 minutes
The Ansible Workflow: From Plan to Execution6 minutes
The Control Node: The Brain of Ansible6 minutes
YAML: The Language Ansible Speaks6 minutes

3 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Read More About What Is Ansible?30 minutes
Read More About Ansible Components and Terminology30 minutes
Read More About How Ansible Works (Behind the Scenes)30 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 105 minutes

Untitled15 minutes
Practice Quiz - Ansible Components and Terminology15 minutes
Practice Quiz - How Ansible Works (Behind the Scenes)15 minutes
Graded Quiz - Getting to Know Ansible60 minutes

In this module, learners transition from theory to practice. It highlights how organizations across sectors like finance, healthcare, and cloud infrastructure deploy Ansible for configuration management, provisioning, and security updates. Real-world examples and demos reveal the breadth of Ansible's capabilities and how it empowers DevOps teams to manage complex environments with speed and precision.