Exploring Ansible's Evolution with Daniel Schier at Community Day
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Ansible Community Day Berlin 2023
At the vibrant Ansible Community Day Berlin 2023, I had the privilege of engaging with Daniel Schier, a veteran in the IT field and a passionate advocate for Ansible. As an early adopter, Daniel’s experiences provide enlightening perspectives on the development and advancement of this remarkable automation tool.
Daniel Schier is a versatile professional, recognized as both an IT craftsman and a DevOps Engineer. With over ten years of involvement in Ansible, he has significantly contributed to its community. In addition to his contributions, he shares his expertise through a blog that discusses a variety of topics, including Ansible, Podman, and Kubernetes.
Section 1.1: The Genesis of Daniel's Ansible Journey
Daniel's adventure with Ansible began when he became the sole administrator for a large e-commerce platform valued at hundreds of millions of euros. Faced with this significant responsibility, he sought a dependable automation solution. After evaluating options such as Puppet, Chef, and Salt, he found Ansible to be the most accessible and intuitive tool.
His journey commenced around 11 to 12 years ago with Ansible version 1.3, during which he first tackled the automation of web servers—a demanding yet fulfilling endeavor. This marked the start of his extensive exploration into Ansible automation.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Ansible Community Gathering
At Ansible Community Day Berlin 2023, Daniel expressed his excitement about the event, commending the insightful presentations and the chance to meet others who share his passion. The dynamic atmosphere and opportunities for networking left a strong impression, highlighting the importance of such gatherings for nurturing the Ansible community.
Section 1.2: Looking Ahead: Ansible's Future
When reflecting on Ansible's future, Daniel underscored the significance of adopting a more declarative approach. He envisions Ansible streamlining automation processes for its users. He also anticipates improvements in testing functionalities, particularly regarding kernel parameter testing and cloud environments.
One of Daniel's fascinating ideas includes the potential creation of a pull agent, especially relevant in the context of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and cloud settings. Although ansible-pull exists, he envisions a more robust and adaptable solution to meet evolving demands.
Chapter 2: Upcoming Events and Opportunities
As our discussion wrapped up, Daniel shared some exciting events on the horizon for Ansible enthusiasts. In October and November, numerous noteworthy events are scheduled, including the TUX Tage in Germany, where he will participate. Additionally, a thrilling Capture the Flag event with Ansible content is set for December, promising an engaging challenge for automation fans.
In the video titled "Meeting Daniel Schier, Open Source Engineer, at Ansible Community Day Berlin 2023," Daniel shares his insights and experiences, providing a deeper understanding of the Ansible community.
Interview Segment
Luca Berton: Hi, everyone! This is Luca, your Ansible pilot, and I'm here with a guest from the Ansible Community Day. Welcome, Daniel! Could you introduce yourself to our viewers?
Daniel Schier: Sure! Today, I'm embracing my community role. While many know me as a DevOps engineer, I consider myself an IT craftsman. I also create content through my blog, which covers topics not just about Ansible but also Podman, Kubernetes, and more.
Luca Berton: That's fantastic! I’ll include the link in the description.
Daniel Schier: Great! I’ve been involved with Ansible for about a decade, contributing upstream as well. My initial contribution was for the HAProxy module, and it’s wonderful to meet you.
Luca Berton: I was thrilled to learn that you're one of the early Ansible adopters. What was the first version you worked with?
Daniel Schier: Interestingly, I began using Ansible when I joined an e-commerce company. Just a month in, I was told my supervisor was leaving, and I became the sole administrator for a €500 million webshop. I needed a reliable solution. After considering Puppet and Chef, I found Ansible to be the most user-friendly.
Luca Berton: Sounds like quite a challenge! Are you enjoying the event?
Daniel Schier: Absolutely! The talks have been remarkable, and I’ve met many wonderful people here.
Luca Berton: What do you foresee for Ansible's future?
Daniel Schier: I believe Ansible will become increasingly declarative, and I hope to see enhancements in testing capabilities, particularly for kernel parameters. Additionally, I envision a pull agent that could cater to IIoT and cloud environments more effectively.
Luca Berton: Those are intriguing challenges, and it’s great to share these ideas in this forum.
Daniel Schier: Definitely! There are many upcoming events, like the TUX Tage in Germany this November, and a Capture the Flag event in December featuring Ansible content. I hope you all can join us!
Conclusion
In summary, my conversation with Daniel Schier illuminated the ongoing journey of Ansible and the vast opportunities for its advancement. Enthusiasts like Daniel are crucial in shaping the future of Ansible, focusing on declarative automation, improved testing capabilities, and innovative solutions like pull agents. The future of Ansible shines brightly, inviting all to join in the automation journey.
The Best Resources for Ansible
- Video Course: Learn Ansible Automation through 250+ examples and practical lessons.
- Printed Books:
- Ansible for VMware by Examples
- Ansible for Kubernetes by Example
- eBooks:
- Ansible by Examples: 200+ Automation Examples for Linux and Windows
- Ansible For Windows By Examples: 50+ Automation Examples
- Ansible For Linux by Examples: 100+ Automation Examples
- Ansible For Containers and Kubernetes By Examples: 20+ Automation Examples
- Ansible For Security by Examples: 100+ Automation Examples
- Ansible Tips and Tricks: 10+ Examples to Save Time
- Ansible For PostgreSQL by Examples: 10+ Examples
- Ansible For AWS By Examples: 10+ Examples
- Ansible Automation Platform By Example: A step-by-step guide.