Automating Tasks with Ansible: Scheduled Execution at Specific Time

How to schedule a Playbook execution at 10:55 using the ansible_date_time and wait_for.

Introduction

In IT infrastructure management, automation is a key component that empowers administrators to streamline repetitive tasks and ensure consistent operations. Ansible, a popular open-source automation tool, offers extensive capabilities for orchestrating tasks across a wide range of systems. One intriguing aspect of Ansible is its ability to execute tasks at specific times, enabling administrators to schedule actions with precision. This article will explore a practical example of how Ansible can execute tasks at a predetermined time, specifically at 10:55.

The Power of Scheduled Execution

Imagine a scenario where a system administrator needs to perform a task on a fleet of servers every day at exactly 10:55. This task might involve updating configurations, performing backups, or any other action necessary to maintain system health and security. Manually executing such tasks can be time-consuming, error-prone, and disruptive, especially in a large-scale environment.

Ansible addresses this challenge by allowing administrators to define and…