Task 5: Build ACI Pipeline Part 1

Git pull from GitHub

Clone the ACI Ansible test repository from GitHub:

bash

cd
git clone https://github.com/beye91/aci-ansible-test.git
rm -rf aci-ansible-test/.git

Expected output:

Cloning into 'aci-ansible-test'...
remote: Enumerating objects: 22, done.
remote: Counting objects: 100% (22/22), done.
remote: Compressing objects: 100% (17/17), done.
remote: Total 22 (delta 0), reused 22 (delta 0), pack-reused 0
Unpacking objects: 100% (22/22), 6.91 KiB | 1.15 MiB/s, done.

Git pull from GitLab

Navigate to your GitLab project's Repository > Files > Clone and copy the URL.

Execute the clone command:

bash

cd
git clone "YOUR-URL"

Expected output shows successful cloning with authentication:

Cloning into 'aci-ansible-cicd'...
Username for 'http://198.18.134.28': root
Password for 'http://root@198.18.134.28': [enter password]
remote: Enumerating objects: 12, done...

Verify files:

bash

cd aci-ansible-cicd
ls -la

Merge Repository Contents

Copy all files from the GitHub repository into your GitLab clone:

bash

cp -r ../aci-ansible-test/* .
ls -la

Expected files include: ansibledata.yml, create_snapshot.yml, .gitlab-ci.yml, hosts, playbook.yml, requirements.yml, roles/ directory, and usage_info.txt.

Git push to GitLab

Commit and push changes:

bash

git add * && git commit -m 'Commit' && git push

Provide your GitLab credentials when prompted.

Configure the Pipeline

Open CI/CD > Editor in your GitLab project. Replace the entire pipeline configuration with:

yaml

workflow:
  rules:
    - if: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH != "main" && $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE != "merge_request_event"
      when: never
    - when: always
 
stages:
  - deploy_aci_config
 
run_ansible_playbook:
  stage: deploy_aci_config
  tags:
    - shell
  before_script:
    - ansible-galaxy collection install cisco.aci
  script:
    - ansible-playbook -i hosts playbook.yml

Commit these changes. Your pipeline will automatically trigger on each commit.

Verify Deployment

Monitor the pipeline execution in GitLab. Click on the run_ansible_playbook job to review execution details. Upon successful completion, log into your APIC GUI to confirm the tenant configuration has been deployed correctly.