Key Differences Between Ansible CLI and Ansible Automation Platform

If you're working in network automation, you know Ansible can make life a whole lot easier. But picking between the straightforward Ansible CLI and the bigger Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) is key. Doesn't matter if you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro – getting the difference helps you choose the right tool for the job.

Ansible CLI  vs Ansible Automation Platform: When to Use What?

Although many details are involved here is a TL;DR on when to use what. 

Use Ansible CLI If:

• You're working on small projects.
• You prefer the command line and simplicity.
• You only need basic logging/auditing (or handle it elsewhere).

Use Ansible Automation Platform If:

• You need to scale automation across large environments or teams.
• You need solid RBAC for security and control.
• You want central management, scheduling, auditing, and analytics.
• You need enterprise support and stability for production.
• High availability is important.
• We'll dive into all the key differences between these terms a bit later in the article.

What is Ansible CLI?

Ansible CLI (Command Line Interface) is the foundational tool for running Ansible playbooks, managing inventory, and automating repetitive tasks. It is open-source, simple, and lightweight, suitable for smaller environments or individual use.

How Ansible CLI Works

Ansible CLI relies on SSH for communication with network devices and uses Ansible modules to perform tasks. You write Playbooks (YAML files) to describe what state you want things in, and use inventory files to tell Ansible which devices to target.Managing Inventory and Credentials in Ansible CLI

1. Inventory Management

Ansible CLI uses inventory files to define managed nodes. Inventory can be in INI, YAML, or dynamic formats.

Example Inventory (INI format):hosts.ini

[routers]
router1 ansible_host=192.168.1.1 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass
router2 ansible_host=192.168.1.2 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass

[switches]
switch1 ansible_host=192.168.2.1 ansible_user=admin ansible_password=pass

Example Inventory (YAML format):hosts.yml

all:
 hosts:
   router1:
     ansible_host: 192.168.1.1
     ansible_user: admin
     ansible_password: pass
   router2:
     ansible_host: 192.168.1.2
     ansible_user: admin
     ansible_password: pass
   switch1:
     ansible_host: 192.168.2.1
     ansible_user: admin
     ansible_password: pass
 children:
   routers:
     hosts:
       router1:
       router2:

2. Credentials Management

Okay, in a lab, you might just toss credentials into the inventory file for ease. Don't do this in production. Seriously. You can easily secure your sensitive data by using the Ansible Vault CLI for encrypting and decrypting credential files.

Example with Credentials in Inventory File (INI - using group vars):

[all:vars]
ansible_user=admin
ansible_password=pass

Use the ansible-playbook CLI command to run your playbook:

ansible-playbook -i hosts.yml playbook.yml

Example Ansible CLI Playbook

Here’s a basic playbook that grabs the running config from devices in the routers group. Note: For network engineers, using the ansible network_cli connection plugin ensures consistent and reliable automation for SSH-based device management.

- name: Gather Interface Facts
hosts: routers
gather_facts: no
tasks:
   - name: Show running config
     ios_command:
       commands: show running-config
     register: output

   - name: Display Output
     debug:
       var: output.stdout

Strengths and Limitations of Ansible CLI

• Simple and quick to get started.
• No agents needed on managed devices.
• It’s free and open-source.

• Lacks centralized control.
• No built-in job scheduling (you gotta use cron or something).
• Minimal logging and auditing.

What is Ansible Automation Platform?

Ansible Automation Platform is a comprehensive automation solution provided by Red Hat. It builds on the Ansible core engine but adds a lot more, like the Automation Controller (which used to be called AWX/Tower). This gives you a web UI, a REST API, role-based access control (RBAC), better reporting – the works. It’s made for larger deployments where you need more control and visibility.

Execution Environments

Execution environments in AAP are containerized environments that package the required runtime, dependencies, and Ansible collections. This helps keep things consistent when moving from dev to test to prod. Instead of messing with Python virtual environments like you often do with CLI, AAP uses these containerized Execution environments. You can use pre-built ones or make your own.

Read more: Understand how to optimize your automation deployments with execution strategies.

Red Hat License Requirement

Fair warning: AAP needs a paid Red Hat subscription. This gets you enterprise support, security patches, updates, and certified content, which is pretty important for production environments.

Key Components of Ansible Automation Platform

1.    Automation Controller: The central web UI and API for managing everything.
2.    Automation Mesh: Distributes execution across nodes.
3.    Execution Environments: Containerized environments with dependencies.
4.    Automation Analytics: Gives you reports on automation performance and usage.

Managing Resources in AAP

Templates

Job templates in AAP define how and where playbooks are executed. They specify the playbook to run, inventory to use, credentials required, and other parameters such as verbosity and timeout settings.

Example:
●    Job Template Name: Backup Network Devices
●    Inventory: Routers and Switches
●    Playbook: backup_configs.yaml
●    Credentials: SSH keys or vault credentials

Credentials

AAP stores credentials (SSH keys, API keys, passwords, etc.) securely. They're encrypted, and you use RBAC to control who can access what.

Common Types of Credentials:
●    Machine Credentials (SSH keys)
●    Network Credentials (for routers/switches)
●    Generic String
●    Generic Credentials

Projects

Projects link AAP to your version control system (like GitHub or GitLab) where your playbooks live. This is great for collaboration and tracking changes.

Example:
●    Project Name: Network Toolkit
●    Source Control: GitHub (e.g. https://github.com/your-org/network-playbooks.git)
●    Branch: main

Inventory

Inventories define the hosts you manage, usually grouped logically. AAP supports static inventories and dynamic ones that can pull info from cloud providers or a CMDB.

Example:
●    Inventory Name: Data Center Routers
●    Groups: Core, Distribution, Access

Advantages of Using Ansible Automation Platform

1. Centralized Management: Manage inventories, credentials, and playbooks from a single UI.
2. Role-Based Access Control: Define user roles and limit access to sensitive jobs.
3. Job Scheduling: Automate tasks to run on a schedule.
4. Automation Mesh: Efficiently manage distributed automation across multiple sites.
5. Automation Analytics: Get insights into job performance and resource usage.
6. Containerized Execution: Ensures consistency across environments.
7. Integration Capabilities: Connects with ITSM tools (ServiceNow), CI/CD (GitLab/Jenkins).
8. Compliance and Governance: Tracks job history and performance metrics.

Read more: Explore practical use-cases and see how CloudMyLab facilitates real-world Ansible scenarios.

What is AWX (Open Source Project)?

AWX is the upstream open-source project for Ansible Automation Platform. It has a similar web interface, job templates, and RBAC. However, AWX doesn't come with official Red Hat support, stability guarantees, certified content, or some of the advanced analytics and integrated components (like Automation Mesh) found in the paid AAP product. If you want to kick the tires on the controller features for free in a lab, AWX is a good place to start.

AWX vs Ansible Automation Platform

Similarities:

• Web-based interface for playbooks.
• Role-based access control.
• Job templates and centralized inventory.

Differences:

• No official support for AWX from Red Hat.
• AAP includes advanced analytics and Automation Mesh; AWX generally doesn't.
• AAP has certified content and guaranteed stability/support.
  
  

Example of AWX Job Template Configuration

In AWX, you create a project linked to your Git repository, define inventory, credentials, and execute playbooks via the web interface.

• Project: Create a Project in AWX, linking it to your Git repository where your Ansible playbooks are stored.
• Inventory: Define an Inventory listing the hosts or devices you want to manage.
• Credentials: Set up Credentials to allow AWX secure access to your inventory hosts (e.g. SSH keys) and potentially your Project source (e.g. Git tokens).
• Job Template: Create a Job Template, selecting the Project (and specific playbook file), Inventory, and Credentials needed for a particular task.
• Launch: Execute the playbook by launching the Job Template directly from the AWX web interface.

Ansible CLI vs. Ansible Automation Platform: Key Differences 

What’s Next

Ansible CLI is great for smaller tasks, individuals, or getting started. But for serious, enterprise-level automation needing scalability, central control, and RBAC, Ansible Automation Platform is usually the better bet. AWX is a handy sandbox for trying out AAP-like features without the price tag.

Understanding these options helps you pick the tool that makes sense for your automation needs, whether you're managing a handful of devices or thousands.

Ansible and CloudMyLab

Using Ansible CLI for its simplicity or exploring Ansible Automation Platform for scale? CloudMyLab offers virtual lab environments like GNS3, EVE-NG, and Cisco Modeling Labs (CML 2.0) to help you practice and test. Our cloud-based labs let you quickly set up network topologies, safely test your automation scripts, and run Proof-of-Concept (POC) projects without wrestling with hardware.

CloudMyLab environments let you:

• Quickly deploy custom automation scenarios.
• Test and polish Ansible configurations in realistic network simulations.
• Reduce deployment risks with solid pre-production testing

Discover more about optimizing your automation journey with CloudMyLab's Network Automation Lab Services.

Learning Resources

Here are some helpful resources for learning more about Ansible:

• Ready to get started? Follow our practical guide on Ansible Setup Step-by-Step for quick environment setup and configuration.
• To dive deeper into modules and their types, check out our detailed guide: Ansible Modules Types Explained.
• What are Execution Environments in Ansible?
• Ansible Documentation: https://docs.ansible.com/
• Official Ansible labs by Red Hat: https://www.redhat.com/en/interactive-labs/ansible
• Ansible Forum: https://forum.ansible.com/