“Preparing a new server with the minimum secure configuration before deploying applications on it.” This playbook sets up a secure Ubuntu server with a new User, SSH key-based authentication, sudo Privileges, Essential packages, and a Firewall.

• Creating a non-root user
• Adding SSH keys for login
• Giving the user sudo privileges
• Installing basic tools (git, curl, vim, ufw, etc.)
• Securing SSH (disable root password login)
• Enabling a firewall`

1. Ansible installed on your control machine
2. Target server(s) accessible via SSH
3. Your SSH key available at: ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

project/
│── playbook.yml        # Main Ansible playbook
│── vars/
│   └── default.yml     # Variables file
│── inventory           # (Optional) Ansible inventory
│── README.md           # Documentation

1. Obtain the playbook

   git clone https://github.com/xrootms/Ansible-Playbook-Initial-Server-Setup.git
   

2. Customize options

   • Edit vars/default.yml to update the username or system packages as needed.

3. Update your inventory

   • Add your server details to the inventory file.

4. Run the playbook

   ansible-playbook -l [target] -i [inventory_file] -u [remote_user] playbook.yml

• Login as the new user: ssh user@your_server_ip
• Confirm sudo works without a password: sudo ls /root
• Check UFW firewall rules: sudo ufw status

✅ Now your server is ready, secure, and manageable with Ansible.