A post by Parasar Kodati
Scaling file services on your Dell PowerStore requires sharpening your automation skills for tasks like initial network attached server (NAS) setup, quota management, disaster recovery, and access control. This post explores how the Ansible collection for Dell PowerStore can streamline your PowerStore file services operations. We’ll dive into practical use cases, demonstrating how Ansible modules can be combined to achieve common objectives.
Specifically, we’ll cover:
- Initial NAS Setup with NFS and SMB Integration – Automate the creation of a new NAS server with both NFS and SMB capabilities, including DNS setup and LDAP integration for seamless user authentication
- Implementing File System Quotas and Alerts – Learn how to configure file system quotas to manage storage allocation and set up email alerts for quota breaches, ensuring proactive resource management
- Filesystem Snapshots with Replication for Disaster Recovery – Implement a robust disaster recovery strategy by automating the creation of filesystem snapshots and replicating them to a remote system
- Integrating NFS Server with LDAP for Access Control – Enhance security and manageability by integrating an NFS server with LDAP to control user access, ensuring only authorized users can access NFS shares
- Automating SMB Share Provisioning and Management – Streamline file sharing and access control by automating the creation and management of SMB shares, including local user account management.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of how Ansible can simplify and automate your PowerStore file services, saving you time and improving your overall efficiency. Let’s get started!
1. Initial NAS Setup with NFS and SMB Integration
This section outlines how to automate the initial setup of a NAS server, integrating both Network File System (NFS) and Server Message Block (SMB) protocols. This setup includes configuring DNS settings and integrating with LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) for centralized user authentication. An Ansible playbook is provided to streamline and automate the entire process, ensuring consistency and reducing manual configuration errors.
Ansible Modules
The following modules from the Ansible collection are used in this playbook:
- nasserver – Manages the creation and configuration of the NAS server itself.
- nfs – Handles NFS export creation and configuration, defining how filesystems are shared over the network.
- smb_server – Enables and configures the SMB server on the NAS, allowing Windows-based clients to access shared resources.
- dns – Configures DNS settings, crucial for name resolution within the network.
- ldap_domain – Sets up the LDAP domain integration, enabling centralized user authentication.
- ldap_account – Creates and manages LDAP accounts, assigning them roles and permissions.
Ansible Playbook
---
- name: Initial NAS Setup with NFS and SMB Integration
hosts: localhost # Replace with your target host(s)
gather_facts: false
vars:
array_ip: "your_array_ip"
validate_certs: false
user: "your_user"
password: "your_password"
nas_server_name: "my_nas_server"
nas_server_description: "NAS server for NFS and SMB"
dns_id: "my_dns"
dns_addresses:
- "192.168.1.1"
- "192.168.1.2"
ldap_domain_name: "my_ldap_domain"
ldap_servers:
- "ldap.example.com"
bind_user: "ldap_bind_user"
bind_password: "ldap_bind_password"
ldap_account_name: "nas_admin"
role_name: "Administrator"
nfs_export_name: "my_nfs_export"
filesystem: "my_filesystem" # Replace with your filesystem name
nfs_path: "/exports"
smb_netbios_name: "MY_SMB_SERVER"
smb_workgroup: "MY_WORKGROUP"
smb_description: "SMB Server for NAS"
smb_local_admin_password: "smb_admin_password"
tasks:
- name: Create NAS Server
dellemc.powerstore.nasserver:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
nas_server_name: "{{ nas_server_name }}"
description: "{{ nas_server_description }}"
state: "present"
register: nas_server_result
- name: Configure DNS settings
dellemc.powerstore.dns:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
dns_id: "{{ dns_id }}"
dns_addresses: "{{ dns_addresses }}"
dns_address_state: "present-in-dns"
state: "present"
- name: Create LDAP domain
dellemc.powerstore.ldap_domain:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
domain_name: "{{ ldap_domain_name }}"
ldap_servers: "{{ ldap_servers }}"
protocol: "LDAP"
ldap_server_type: "OpenLDAP"
bind_user: "{{ bind_user }}"
bind_password: "{{ bind_password }}"
ldap_domain_user_settings:
user_search_path: "cn=Users"
ldap_domain_group_settings:
group_search_path: "cn=Groups"
ldap_server_state: "present-in-domain"
state: "present"
register: ldap_domain_result
- name: Create LDAP account
dellemc.powerstore.ldap_account:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
ldap_account_name: "{{ ldap_account_name }}"
ldap_domain_id: "{{ ldap_domain_result.ldap_domain_details.id }}"
role_name: "{{ role_name }}"
ldap_account_type: "User"
state: "present"
- name: Create NFS export
dellemc.powerstore.nfs:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
nfs_export_name: "{{ nfs_export_name }}"
filesystem: "{{ filesystem }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_name }}"
path: "{{ nfs_path }}"
state: "present"
- name: Enable SMB server
dellemc.powerstore.smb_server:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_name }}"
is_standalone: true
netbios_name: "{{ smb_netbios_name }}"
workgroup: "{{ smb_workgroup }}"
description: "{{ smb_description }}"
local_admin_password: "{{ smb_local_admin_password }}"
state: "present"
How it works
The Ansible playbook automates the NAS setup through a series of tasks:
1. NAS Server Creation: The nasserver module creates the NAS server with a specified name and description. The state: “present” ensures the NAS server exists.
2. DNS Configuration: The dns module configures the DNS settings for the NAS server, adding DNS server addresses. dns_address_state: “present-in-dns” ensures the specified DNS addresses are configured on the NAS server.
3. LDAP Domain Integration: The ldap_domain module configures the NAS server to authenticate users against an LDAP domain. It specifies the LDAP server details, bind user credentials, and search paths for users and groups. The ldap_server_state: “present-in-domain” ensures the specified LDAP servers are configured on the NAS server. The result of this task is registered for use in the next task.
4. LDAP Account Creation: The ldap_account module creates an LDAP account and assigns it a specific role on the NAS server. The ldap_domain_id is retrieved from the previous task’s result, linking the account to the created LDAP domain.
5. NFS Export Creation: The nfs module creates an NFS export, specifying the filesystem to be shared, the path, and the NAS server it belongs to.
6. SMB Server Configuration: The smb_server module enables and configures the SMB server on the NAS, setting parameters like NetBIOS name, workgroup, and local administrator password. is_standalone: true configures the SMB server to operate in standalone mode.
Before running the playbook, replace the placeholder values in the vars section with your actual environment details, such as array IP, credentials, DNS addresses, LDAP settings, filesystem name and SMB configuration. Localhost should also be updated to reflect the target host or group of hosts where the playbook will be executed.
2. Implementing File System Quotas and Alerts
This section demonstrates how to automate the implementation of file system quotas and configure email alerts for quota breaches using Ansible. File system quotas are essential for managing storage allocation and preventing individual users or groups from consuming excessive disk space. This playbook leverages the dellemc.powerstore collection to interact with a Dell PowerStore storage array, creating filesystems, setting quotas, configuring SMTP settings, and setting up email alerts.
Ansible Modules
The following modules from the Ansible collection are used in this playbook:
- filesystem – Manages file system creation and configuration on the PowerStore array.
- quota – Creates and manages quotas for users or groups on a specified filesystem.
- smtp\_config – Configures the SMTP settings on the PowerStore array for sending email alerts.
- email – Creates and manages destination email addresses for receiving alerts from the PowerStore array.
Ansible Playbook
---
- name: Implement File System Quotas and Alerts
hosts: all
gather_facts: false
vars:
array_ip: "your_array_ip"
validate_certs: false
user: "your_user"
password: "your_password"
filesystem_name: "your_filesystem"
nas_server_id: "your_nas_server_id"
email_address: "admin@example.com"
smtp_address: "smtp.example.com"
source_email: "noreply@example.com"
unix_name: "test_user"
soft_limit_tb: 5
hard_limit_tb: 10
tasks:
- name: Create FileSystem
dellemc.powerstore.filesystem:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
filesystem_name: "{{ filesystem_name }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_id }}"
size: "10"
cap_unit: "GB"
state: "present"
register: filesystem_result
- name: Create a Quota for a User
dellemc.powerstore.quota:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
quota_type: "user"
unix_name: "{{ unix_name }}"
filesystem: "{{ filesystem_name }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_id }}"
quota:
soft_limit: "{{ soft_limit_tb }}"
hard_limit: "{{ hard_limit_tb }}"
cap_unit: "TB"
state: "present"
- name: Configure SMTP Settings
dellemc.powerstore.smtp_config:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
smtp_id: "0"
smtp_address: "{{ smtp_address }}"
source_email: "{{ source_email }}"
state: "present"
- name: Create Destination Email for Alerts
dellemc.powerstore.email:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
email_address: "{{ email_address }}"
notify:
info: true
critical: true
major: true
state: "present"
How it works
1. Variable Definition: The playbook starts by defining several variables, including connection details for the PowerStore array (array_ip, user, password), filesystem details (filesystem_name, nas_server_id), email configuration (email_address, smtp_address, source_email), and quota limits (unix_name, soft_limit_tb, hard_limit_tb). These variables should be modified to reflect your specific environment.
2. Create FileSystem: The filesystem module is used to create a filesystem on the PowerStore array. The state: “present” ensures that the filesystem is created if it does not already exist. The register keyword saves the result of the task for later use if needed.
3. Create a Quota for a User: The quota module is used to create a quota for a specific user (unix_name) on the created filesystem. The quota_type is set to “user”, and the soft_limit and hard_limit are defined in TB. The state: “present” ensures that the quota is created if it doesn’t exist.
4. Configure SMTP Settings: The smtp_config module configures the SMTP settings on the PowerStore array. This allows the array to send email alerts. The smtp_address and source_email variables are used to configure the SMTP server and the sender’s email address. The smtp_id is set to “0”, which typically refers to the primary SMTP configuration.
5. Create Destination Email for Alerts: The email module creates a destination email address for receiving alerts from the PowerStore array. The email_address variable specifies the recipient’s email address. The notify parameter specifies which alert severities (info, critical, major) should be sent to the specified email address. state: “present” ensures that the email configuration exists.
This playbook provides a complete solution for automating file system quota management and setting up email alerts on a Dell EMC PowerStore array, improving storage management and proactive monitoring.
3. Filesystem Snapshots with Replication for Disaster Recovery
This section describes how to implement a disaster recovery (DR) strategy using Ansible to automate the creation of filesystem snapshots and their replication to a remote system. This approach ensures data protection and business continuity in the event of a primary site failure. The Ansible playbook provided automates the entire process, from snapshot creation to replication session establishment.
Ansible Modules
The following modules from the Ansible collection are used in this playbook:
- filesystem_snapshot – Creates and manages filesystem snapshots on the PowerStore array.
- remotesystem – Manages remote system configurations, enabling replication between PowerStore arrays.
- replicationsession – Creates and manages replication sessions between volumes or consistency groups on different PowerStore arrays.
Ansible Playbook
---
- name: Filesystem Snapshots with Replication for Disaster Recovery
hosts: powerstore
gather_facts: false
vars:
array_ip: "your_powerstore_ip"
validate_certs: false
user: "your_powerstore_user"
password: "your_powerstore_password"
remote_address: "your_remote_powerstore_ip"
remote_user: "your_remote_powerstore_user"
remote_password: "your_remote_powerstore_password"
filesystem_name: "your_filesystem_name"
nas_server_name: "your_nas_server_name"
snapshot_prefix: "dr_snapshot"
replication_session_volume: "your_replication_volume"
tasks:
- name: Create Filesystem Snapshot
dellemc.powerstore.filesystem_snapshot:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
snapshot_name: "{{ snapshot_prefix }}_{{ ansible_date_time.isoformat }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_name }}"
filesystem: "{{ filesystem_name }}"
desired_retention: 7
retention_unit: "days"
state: "present"
register: fs_snapshot_result
- name: Add Remote System
dellemc.powerstore.remotesystem:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
remote_address: "{{ remote_address }}"
remote_user: "{{ remote_user }}"
remote_password: "{{ remote_password }}"
remote_port: 443
network_latency: "Low"
decription: "Remote system for DR replication"
state: "present"
register: remote_system_result
- name: Establish Replication Session
dellemc.powerstore.replicationsession:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
verifycert: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
volume: "{{ replication_session_volume }}"
remote_system_id: "{{ remote_system_result.remotesystem.id | default(remote_system_result.remote_system.id, True) }}"
session_state: "started"
register: replication_session_result
How it works
The Ansible playbook operates in the following sequence:
1. Filesystem Snapshot Creation: The filesystem_snapshot module creates a snapshot of the specified filesystem. The snapshot name is dynamically generated using a prefix and the current date and time. A retention policy is also configured, defining how long the snapshot will be retained.
2. Remote System Addition: The remotesystem module adds the remote PowerStore array as a replication target. It configures the connection parameters, including the remote array’s IP address, user credentials, and network latency settings. The register keyword saves the output of the task so it can be used in subsequent tasks.
3. Replication Session Establishment: The replicationsession module establishes a replication session between the primary volume and the remote system. It uses the remote system’s ID (obtained from the previous task’s output) to configure the replication link. The session is started to begin replicating data to the remote site. The default filter handles potential differences in the keys returned in the registered output (remote_system vs remotesystem).
Before running the playbook, ensure that you replace the placeholder values in the vars section with your actual environment details. This includes the PowerStore IP addresses, user credentials, filesystem names, and replication volume names.
4. Integrating NFS Server with LDAP for Access Control
This article explains how to enhance the security and manageability of NFS access by integrating an NFS server with LDAP. By leveraging Ansible automation, we can streamline the process of configuring NFS servers, creating LDAP domains, and managing user access. The provided Ansible playbook automates these tasks, ensuring consistency and reducing manual effort.
Ansible Modules
The following modules from the Ansible collection are used in this playbook:
- nfs_server – Manages the configuration of NFS servers, including enabling NFS versions, secure NFS and specifying the hostname.
- ldap_domain – Configures LDAP domains, defining server addresses, bind users, search paths, and other LDAP-related settings.
- ldap_account – Creates and manages LDAP accounts, assigning them roles and associating them with specific LDAP domains.
Ansible Playbook
---
- name: Integrate NFS Server with LDAP for Access Control
hosts: powerstore
gather_facts: false
vars:
array_ip: "10.x.x.x"
validate_certs: false
user: "username"
password: "password"
nas_server_name: "nas_server_01"
domain_name: "example.com"
bind_user: "cn=admin,dc=example,dc=com"
bind_password: "admin_password"
ldap_servers: ["10.y.y.y"]
ldap_account_name: "nfs_user"
role_name: "Administrator"
nfs_hostname: "nfs.example.com"
tasks:
- name: Ensure NFS server is present
dellemc.powerstore.nfs_server:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_name }}"
host_name: "{{ nfs_hostname }}"
is_nfsv3_enabled: true
is_nfsv4_enabled: true
is_secure_enabled: true #Enabling secure NFS
state: "present"
register: nfs_server_result
- name: Create LDAP domain
dellemc.powerstore.ldap_domain:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
domain_name: "{{ domain_name }}"
ldap_servers: "{{ ldap_servers }}"
protocol: "LDAP"
ldap_server_type: "OpenLDAP"
bind_user: "{{ bind_user }}"
bind_password: "{{ bind_password }}"
ldap_domain_user_settings:
user_search_path: "ou=users,dc=example,dc=com"
ldap_domain_group_settings:
group_search_path: "ou=groups,dc=example,dc=com"
ldap_server_state: "present-in-domain"
state: "present"
register: ldap_domain_result
- name: Create LDAP account for NFS access
dellemc.powerstore.ldap_account:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
ldap_account_name: "{{ ldap_account_name }}"
ldap_domain_id: "{{ ldap_domain_result.ldap_domain_details.id }}"
role_name: "{{ role_name }}"
ldap_account_type: "User"
state: "present"
How it works
The Ansible playbook operates in a sequential manner, executing the following steps:
1. NFS Server Configuration: The nfs_server module is used to ensure that the NFS server is properly configured with the specified hostname, NFS versions (v3 and v4), and secure NFS enabled. The state: “present” ensures that the NFS server exists and matches the desired configuration.
2. LDAP Domain Creation: The ldap_domain module creates an LDAP domain with the specified parameters, including server addresses, bind user credentials, and search paths for users and groups. The ldap_server_state: “present-in-domain” ensures that the LDAP server is part of the domain. The state: “present” ensures that the LDAP domain exists and matches the desired configuration.
3. LDAP Account Creation: The ldap_account module creates an LDAP account for NFS access, associating it with the previously created LDAP domain and assigning it a specific role. The ldap_domain_id is obtained from the registered result of the ldap_domain task. The state: “present” ensures that the LDAP account exists and matches the desired configuration.
By running this playbook, you can automate the integration of an NFS server with LDAP, enhancing security and simplifying user access management.
5. Automating SMB Share Provisioning and Management
This article describes how to automate the creation and management of SMB shares using Ansible. SMB shares are a fundamental component of file sharing in many organizations and automating their provisioning and management streamlines access control and reduces manual effort. The provided Ansible playbook simplifies the process of creating, updating, and managing SMB shares, including setting permissions and configuring various share properties. This automation ensures consistency, reduces errors, and speeds up the deployment of file-sharing resources.
Ansible Modules
The following modules from the Ansible collection are used in this playbook:
- smbshare – Manages SMB shares on a storage array. This module is used to create, update, and delete SMB shares, as well as configure their properties such as access control lists (ACLs), descriptions, and availability settings.
- smb_server – Manages SMB server settings. This module is used to enable and configure the SMB server on the storage array, including setting the NetBIOS name, workgroup, and local administrator password.
- local_user – Manages local users on the storage array. This module is used to create and manage local user accounts, which can then be granted access to SMB shares.
Ansible Playbook
---
- name: Automate SMB Share Provisioning and Management
hosts: localhost
gather_facts: false
vars:
array_ip: "your_array_ip"
validate_certs: false
user: "your_user"
password: "your_password"
nas_server_name: "your_nas_server" # or nas_server_id if you have it
smb_share_name: "my_smb_share"
filesystem_name: "my_filesystem"
local_username: "smb_user"
local_password: "Password123!"
smb_share_description: "SMB share managed by Ansible"
smb_server_netbios_name: "MY_SMB_SERVER"
smb_server_workgroup: "WORKGROUP"
smb_server_local_admin_password: "AdminPassword123!"
role_name: "SecurityAdmin"
tasks:
- name: Ensure local user exists
dellemc.powerstore.local_user:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
user_name: "{{ local_username }}"
user_password: "{{ local_password }}"
role_name: "{{ role_name }}"
state: present
- name: Enable SMB server
dellemc.powerstore.smb_server:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_name }}"
is_standalone: true
netbios_name: "{{ smb_server_netbios_name }}"
workgroup: "{{ smb_server_workgroup }}"
description: "SMB Server managed by Ansible"
local_admin_password: "{{ smb_server_local_admin_password }}"
state: present
register: smb_server_result
- name: Create SMB share
dellemc.powerstore.smbshare:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
share_name: "{{ smb_share_name }}"
filesystem: "{{ filesystem_name }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_name }}"
description: "{{ smb_share_description }}"
is_abe_enabled: true
is_branch_cache_enabled: true
offline_availability: "DOCUMENTS"
is_continuous_availability_enabled: true
is_encryption_enabled: true
acl:
- access_level: "Full"
access_type: "Allow"
trustee_name: "{{ local_username }}"
trustee_type: "User"
state: "present"
state: present
- name: Update SMB share description
dellemc.powerstore.smbshare:
array_ip: "{{ array_ip }}"
validate_certs: "{{ validate_certs }}"
user: "{{ user }}"
password: "{{ password }}"
share_name: "{{ smb_share_name }}"
nas_server: "{{ nas_server_name }}"
description: "Updated SMB share description by Ansible"
state: present
How it works
The Ansible playbook automates SMB share provisioning and management through a series of tasks:
1. Create a Local User: The playbook first ensures that a local user account exists on the storage array using the local_user module. This account will be granted access to the SMB share. The state: present ensures the user is created if it doesn’t exist or remains unchanged if it does.
2. Enable SMB Server: The playbook enables and configures the SMB server using the smb_server module. It sets properties such as the NetBIOS name, workgroup, description, and local administrator password. The state: present ensures that the SMB server is enabled and configured with the specified settings.
3. Create SMB Share: The playbook creates an SMB share using the smbshare module. It defines the share name, filesystem, NAS server, description, and various share properties such as Access-Based Enumeration (ABE), BranchCache, offline availability, continuous availability, and encryption. It also configures access control lists (ACLs) to grant the previously created local user “Full” access to the share. The state: present ensures the SMB share is created with the specified properties.
4. Update SMB Share Description: Finally, the playbook updates the description of the SMB share using the smbshare module. This demonstrates how to modify existing SMB share properties. The state: present ensures the SMB share’s description is updated.
By running this playbook, you can automate the entire process of provisioning and managing SMB shares, ensuring consistency and reducing manual effort. Remember to replace the placeholder values in the vars section with your actual environment details.
Wrapping Up: Ansible – Your Key to PowerStore File Services Automation
As we’ve explored in this post, Ansible provides a robust and efficient way to automate a wide range of file service tasks on your Dell PowerStore array. From initial NAS setup and quota management, to disaster recovery and access control, the use cases we’ve covered demonstrate the power and flexibility of Ansible in streamlining your operations.
By leveraging modules like nasserver, nfs, smbshare, filesystem_snapshot, and many more, you can transform complex, manual processes into automated workflows. This not only saves time and reduces the risk of human error but also allows you to scale your file services more effectively.
Ready to take the next step? Experiment with the examples provided, adapt them to your specific environment, and discover the many ways Ansible can simplify and enhance your PowerStore file services management. Embrace automation and unlock the full potential of your PowerStore