Ansible get_url Module: Downloading Files from the Internet

Introduction

The get_url module in Ansible allows you to download files from the internet to remote hosts. This module provides a convenient way to fetch files, such as software packages or configuration files, from URLs and place them on the target machines. This blog post explores the usage of the get_url module, its parameters, and real-world examples to demonstrate its usefulness in downloading files during Ansible playbooks.

Understanding the Concept of get_url Module

Downloading files from the internet is a common task in automation, especially when deploying software or fetching external resources. The get_url module simplifies this process by providing a consistent method to download files from URLs, ensuring that the remote hosts have access to the required files.

How to Use the Ansible get_url Module

The get_url module is straightforward to use and offers several options for downloading files. Let’s explore its usage through practical examples:

Syntax and Parameters

The basic syntax of the get_url module is as follows:

The module accepts the following parameters:

• url: (required) Specifies the URL of the file to download.
• dest: (required) Defines the local path on the remote host where the downloaded file should be saved.
• url_username: (optional) Provides the username for basic authentication if the URL requires authentication.
• url_password: (optional) Provides the password for basic authentication if the URL requires authentication.
• force: (optional) If set to yes, the download will be forced, overwriting the destination file if it already exists.

Downloading Files from the Internet

Let’s start with basic examples of using the get_url module to download files from the internet:

Example 1: Downloading a Package

In this example, the get_url module will download the Apache Tomcat package from the specified URL and save it as apache-tomcat-9.0.50.tar.gz in the /tmp/ directory on the remote host.

Example 2: Downloading a Configuration File

In this case, the get_url module will download the my_config.conf file from the specified URL and save it as /etc/my_app/my_config.conf on the remote host. The force parameter is set to yes, ensuring that the destination file will be overwritten if it already exists.

Using Authentication

You can also use the url_username and url_password parameters if the URL requires authentication:

In this example, the get_url module will download the sensitive_data.txt file from the specified URL, which requires authentication. The provided url_username and url_password will be used for basic authentication.

Real-World Examples

Let’s explore some real-world scenarios where the get_url module proves useful.

Example 1: Downloading a Software Package

In a playbook that installs software on remote servers, you may need to download a software package from the internet:

In this example, the get_url module will download the Nginx web server package from the specified URL and save it as nginx-1.22.1.tar.gz in the /tmp/ directory on each web server (defined in the webservers group).

Example 2: Fetching Configuration Files

In a playbook that configures various services, you may need to fetch configuration files from a central repository:

In this case, the get_url module will download the config.ini file from the specified URL and save it as /etc/my_app/config.ini on each application server (defined in the application_servers group). The force parameter is set to yes, ensuring that any existing configuration file will be overwritten with the latest version.

Conclusion

The Ansible get_url module provides a convenient and reliable way to download files from the internet during playbook execution. Whether it’s fetching software packages, configuration files, or other resources, the get_url module streamlines the process of acquiring external data for your infrastructure. Throughout this blog post, we explored the concept of the get_url module, its parameters, and provided real-world examples to demonstrate its practical applications.