Schedule Cron Job and Download Package on Remote Host
Learn how to schedule a cron job to automate the downloading of packages from a URL on remote hosts.
In this lab, you will learn how to automate repetitive tasks on remote hosts using cron jobs and manage package downloads via Ansible. This hands-on exercise focuses on practical use cases of task scheduling and package management to streamline system administration tasks across multiple systems.
Learning Outcomes
Set up cron jobs on remote hosts using Ansible.
Transfer scripts to remote systems using scp.
Download and store packages on remote systems using Ansible playbooks.
Verify and manage scheduled tasks and downloaded content.
Key Concepts
Cron Jobs
A cron job is a scheduled task in Unix-like operating systems that runs at specific times or intervals.
Useful for automating routine tasks such as system maintenance, backups, or script execution.
Allows scheduling of tasks to run at specified intervals.
Example: Automating script execution or backups.
scp Command
Secure Copy Protocol (scp) is a command-line utility that allows you to securely transfer files between a local machine and a remote host, or between two remote hosts.
Transfers files between local and remote systems securely.
Syntax: scp <source> <destination>.
Ansible Playbooks
Playbooks are YAML-based files that define a series of tasks to automate configuration, deployment, and other operations on remote hosts.
Key modules used:
cron: For managing cron jobs.
get_url: For downloading files from the internet.
Package Downloading
Automate downloading and storing packages using Ansible.
Ensures consistent setup across multiple hosts.
Why This Lab is Important:
Efficient Automation: Reduces manual effort by automating repetitive system tasks, freeing up time for more critical activities.
Consistency: Ensures uniform task scheduling and package installations across all systems in your infrastructure, minimizing discrepancies.
Time Management: Saves time by automating routine setups, such as scheduling tasks and downloading necessary files.
Centralized Management: Enables centralized control over multiple remote systems through Ansible, simplifying system administration and improving overall efficiency.