Add new hosts as automation targets

A host is a system managed by Ansible Automation Platform, which might include a physical, virtual, cloud-based server, or other device.

Typically a host is an operating system instance.

Hosts are grouped in inventories and are sometimes referred to as a “nodes”.

Ansible works against multiple managed nodes or “hosts” in your infrastructure at the same time, using a list or group of lists known as an inventory.

Once your inventory is defined, use patterns to select the hosts or groups you want Ansible to run against.

Create a host
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Learn how to create a new host by providing a name, selecting an inventory, and optionally defining a description and associated variables.

About this task
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To create a new host.

Procedure
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  1. From the navigation panel, select Automation Execution > Infrastructure > Hosts.
  2. Click Create host.
  3. On the Create Host page enter the following information:
    • Name: Enter a name for your host.
    • (Optional) Description: Enter a description for your host.
    • Inventory: Select the inventory for this host to belong to.
    • Variables: Enter the inventory file variables associated with your host.
  4. Click Create host to save your changes.

View the host details
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Examine the Host details shown below for a job run.

Procedure
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  1. From the navigation panel, select Automation Execution > Infrastructure > Hosts. The Hosts page displays the following information about the host or hosts affected by recent job runs.
  2. Selecting a particular host displays the Details page for that host, with the following information:
    • The Name of the Host.
    • The Inventory associated with that host. Selecting this inventory displays details of the inventory.
    • When the Host was Created and by whom. Selecting the creator displays details of the creator.
    • When the Host was Last modified. Selecting the creator displays details of the creator.
    • Variables associated with the Host. You can display the variables in YAML or JSON format.
  3. Click Edit host to edit details of the host.
    • Select the Facts tab to display facts associated with the host.
    • Select the Groups tab to display the Groups associated with the host.
      • Click Associate groups to associate a group with the host.
    • Select the Jobs tab to display the Jobs which ran on the host.
      • Click the Expand icon to display details of the job.
        Details of job associated with a host