What Is New in Ansible 7
Ansible 7 is a feature-packed release focusing on core improvements, new modules, and enhanced security. Here's a quick summary of the key changes.
| Category | Count | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| New Plugins | ~70 | Modules for AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, VMware, and more. |
| Bug Fixes | ~120 | Resolves issues across core, modules, and plugins. |
| Porting Guide Changes | ~40 | Updates for migrating from previous versions. |
| Security Updates | Multiple | CVEs addressed in bundled libraries like python-jinja2. |
| Deprecated Features | Several | Older modules and parameters scheduled for removal. |
What new modules can I use in Ansible 7?
This release adds a significant number of new modules, primarily expanding cloud and infrastructure coverage. You get more tools to automate your environments directly from Ansible.
Key additions include the aws_ec2_elastic_ip module for managing AWS EIPs and the google_cloud_redis_instance module for Google Cloud Memorystore. There are also new modules for VMware and networking equipment, giving you finer control over your infrastructure.
How does Ansible 7 improve security?
Security updates in Ansible 7 focus on addressing vulnerabilities in its dependencies. This is a maintenance priority to keep your automation secure.
The bundled python-jinja2 library has been updated to version 3.1.2 to resolve several CVEs. Keeping these dependencies patched is crucial because they are part of the core engine that processes your playbooks and templates.
What has been deprecated in this release?
Ansible 7 continues the project's lifecycle management by deprecating older features. This keeps the codebase clean and signals what to avoid in future playbooks.
Notable deprecations include the azure_rm_azurefirewall module and certain parameters in other modules. These are now flagged with warnings and will be removed in Ansible 9. Always check the porting guide for a complete list before upgrading.
What core engine changes should I be aware of?
The core of Ansible saw targeted improvements and bug fixes. These changes enhance reliability and fix edge cases that could affect playbook execution.
Updates include better handling of task results and fixes for specific scenarios involving loops and conditional statements. These are the kind of under-the-hood fixes that make your automation more predictable.
FAQ
Is Ansible 7 a major breaking change from version 6?
No, it is not a major breaking change. The primary focus is on new features, bug fixes, and security updates. However, you should review the porting guide for deprecated features that might affect your existing playbooks.
Which Python versions are supported in Ansible 7?
Ansible 7 maintains support for Python 3.8 and above. Always ensure your control node is running a compatible interpreter to avoid runtime issues.
I use Ansible with AWS. What's new for me?
Several new AWS modules were added, like aws_ec2_elastic_ip. This expands the suite of tools available for managing your AWS infrastructure directly from your playbooks.
Where can I find the full list of bug fixes?
The complete list of bug fixes is detailed in the official changelog. It's a long list, so use the table of contents to navigate to the "Bugfixes" section for your area of interest.
Should I upgrade to Ansible 7 immediately?
If your project relies on a feature that was buggy in a previous version and is now fixed, upgrading makes sense. Otherwise, test the upgrade in a development environment first to ensure compatibility with your playbooks and inventory.