Ansible Inventory Output Module

ansible output module creates Ansible inventory (hosts.yml, host_vars, and group_vars) and Ansible configuration file (ansible.cfg) file. It’s invoked by specifying -o ansible parameter in netlab create command[1].

The provider output module can take one or two optional destination file names separated by a comma. The first file name specifies Ansible inventory file (default: hosts.yml), the second one Ansible configuration file (default: ansible.cfg)

A single formatting modifier can be used to modify the distribution of information between hosts.yml, host_vars and group_vars:

• min – Ansible inventory file contains all known host- and group information. host_vars and group_vars are not created[2].

• dirs (default) – Ansible inventory file contains minimal amount of information[3]. Host- and group directories are created under host_vars and group_vars. Each host- or group directory within host_vars or group_vars contain topology.yml file with host- or group variables. This format allows you to add Ansible inventory information (create additional files within host- or group subdirectories) without interfering with ansible output module.

• files – Ansible inventory file contains minimal amount of information. Per-host or per-group files are created in host_vars and group_vars. Do not modify those files; they will be overwritten the next time you run netlab create command.

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[1]

netlab create also invokes the provider output module when no output formats are specified in the netlab create command.

[2]

Existing host_vars and group_vars directories are not removed. Make sure you won’t get information overload when trying out different Ansible inventory formats.

[3]

Node id and IP address (ansible_host)