Debugging Ansible

• Debugging ansible is needed when an unexpected state or errors occur.

Display all variables for a host:

tasks: 
  - name: Display all variables/facts known for a host
    ansible.builtin.debug:
      var: hostvars[inventory_hostname]
      verbosity: 4

Ansible Blocks

• Blocks are a logical groups of tasks. Blocks allow for handling task errors.

tasks: 
  - name: Task Grouping Name
    block:
      - name: Task 1 in block
        debug:
          msg: "Print message about task 1"
      - name: Task 2 in block
        debug:
          msg: "Print message about task 2"
    when: ansible_facts['distribution'] == "Debian"

Ansible Conditionals

• Shut down Debian systems

tasks:
  - name: Shut down Debian flavored systems
    ansible.builtin.command: /sbin/shutdown -t now
    when: ansible_facts['os_family'] == "Debian"