Ansible Configuration

Ansible can have multiple configurations consumed in when it is functioning. These configurations have a priority which applies into the order of use.

1. ansible.cfg - lowerst priority

   This file is typically placed using the system installation. It provides the system level information.

$ ansible --version
  ansible 2.10.7
  config file = /etc/ansible/ansible.cfg
  configured module search path = ['/home/ansible/.ansible/plugins/modules', '/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules']
  ansible python module location = /usr/local/lib/python3.8/dist-packages/ansible
  executable location = /usr/local/bin/ansible
  python version = 3.8.5 (default, Jan 27 2021, 15:41:15) [GCC 9.3.0]

1. .ansible.cfg in user home - second lowest priority

   This is a hidden file placed in the user's home directory.

$ ansible --version
  ansible 2.10.7
  config file = /home/ansible/.ansible.cfg
  configured module search path = ['/home/ansible/.ansible/plugins/modules', '/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules']
  ansible python module location = /usr/local/lib/python3.8/dist-packages/ansible
  executable location = /usr/local/bin/ansible
  python version = 3.8.5 (default, Jan 27 2021, 15:41:15) [GCC 9.3.0]

1. ansible.cfg in the current / project directory This can be used to specify project specific ansible configurations.

   $ ansible --version
   ansible 2.10.7
   config file = /home/ansible/testdir/ansible.cfg
   configured module search path = ['/home/ansible/.ansible/plugins/modules', '/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules']
   ansible python module location = /usr/local/lib/python3.8/dist-packages/ansible
   executable location = /usr/local/bin/ansible
   python version = 3.8.5 (default, Jan 27 2021, 15:41:15) [GCC 9.3.0]

2. ANSIBLE_CONFIG evnrionment targeting a file

$ ansible --version
  ansible 2.10.7
  config file = /home/ansible/my_example_ansible_config.cfg
  configured module search path = ['/home/ansible/.ansible/plugins/modules', '/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules']
  ansible python module location = /usr/local/lib/python3.8/dist-packages/ansible
  executable location = /usr/local/bin/ansible
  python version = 3.8.5 (default, Jan 27 2021, 15:41:15) [GCC 9.3.0]