automation with ansible in hp3par simulator

[neepec]

Hello community!

We are starting to automate our processes with Ansible, but we do not have a development environment because the HP3PAR we have is from the production environment.

The processes we want to automate are creating a VV, creating a VLUN, and adding it to an RCG.

If we install the HP3PAR simulator, would it be possible to test these developments on the simulator?

Thanks and best regards!!

[Vinky_99 · Accepted solution]

@neepec 

Good day! 

Yes, you can use the HP3PAR simulator to test and develop Ansible automation scripts for tasks like creating virtual volumes (VV), creating virtual LUNs (VLUN), and adding them to a Remote Copy Group (RCG). Using a simulator is a common practice to safely test automation workflows without affecting production environments.

[Vinky_99]

Here's a general outline of the steps you can follow to set up the HP3PAR simulator and test your Ansible automation scripts:

>> Download and install the HP3PAR simulator in your non-production environment. You may need to register on the HPE website to obtain the simulator software.

>> Follow the installation instructions provided with the simulator to configure and start it.

>> Install Ansible on your development machine if you haven't already.

>> Create Ansible playbooks for the tasks you want to automate, such as creating virtual volumes, creating VLUNs, and managing RCGs. Ensure that you use the appropriate Ansible modules or custom scripts to interact with the HP3PAR simulator.

>> Set up your Ansible inventory file to include the necessary connection details for the HP3PAR simulator. This typically includes the IP address or hostname, SSH credentials, and any other required parameters.

>> Run your Ansible playbooks against the HP3PAR simulator using the ansible-playbook command. Ensure that the playbooks execute successfully and produce the expected results in the simulator environment.

>> Validate the output and behavior of your automation tasks in the simulator. Verify that virtual volumes, VLUNs, and RCGs are created and configured correctly.

>> As needed, refine your Ansible playbooks and automation processes based on your testing and validation results. This iterative process helps ensure your automation is robust and reliable.

>> It's essential to have a backup and recovery plan for both your production HP3PAR environment and the simulator. This ensures you can restore your production system if any issues arise during testing.

>> Document your Ansible playbooks, inventory configurations, and any specific details related to the HP3PAR simulator environment. This documentation will be useful for future reference and for training others on your team.

By following these steps, you can safely develop and test your Ansible automation for HP3PAR using the simulator without impacting your production environment. Once you're confident in your automation scripts, you can adapt and use them in your production environment with the necessary adjustments for the real HP3PAR system.

I hope this helps! Let me know...