ServerSystem Lab2 Del2

Version: 1.0.0 | Author: Alhasan Al-Hmondi

ServerSystem Lab2 Del2 is a small infrastructure automation lab for managing a Proxmox-based server environment. The project combines Python inventory reporting with Ansible desired-state automation so VM/CT status, firewall checks, and warning logs can be reviewed in a repeatable way.

Why This Project Exists

I built this project as part of a server systems lab to practice practical infrastructure administration. The goal is not to create a large platform, but to show that I can document a lab environment, collect useful system state, run Ansible safely, and produce logs that are readable when something does not match the expected state.

Stack

• Python 3
• PyYAML
• Ansible
• Proxmox CLI tools (qm, pct, pve-firewall)
• SSH key-based administration

Project Parts

• Del A: Python inventory script that checks VM/CT status over SSH and writes rapport.json plus inventory.log.
• Del B: Ansible playbook that checks Proxmox state, starts expected machines, validates firewall status, and writes summary/warning logs.

Project Structure

serverSystem-Lab2-Del2/
|-- Del-A/
|   |-- Script.py
|   |-- config.yaml
|   |-- rapport.json
|   `-- inventory.log
|-- Del-B/
|   |-- Proxmox-Ansible/
|   |-- log.txt
|   `-- warning_log.txt
|-- LICENSE
|-- lab2_del2-dubai.pdf
`-- README.md

Requirements

Run the automation from an Ansible admin host that can reach the Proxmox node over SSH.

Install the basic dependencies:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ansible python3-yaml -y

Set up SSH key-based login to the Proxmox node:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519
ssh-copy-id root@<proxmox-node-ip>
ssh root@<proxmox-node-ip>

The repository uses documentation-safe example addresses such as 192.0.2.30. Before running the lab, update:

• Del-A/config.yaml
• Del-B/Proxmox-Ansible/inventory/hosts.ini
• Del-B/Proxmox-Ansible/group_vars/proxmox.yaml

Usage

Run the Python inventory:

cd Del-A
python3 Script.py

Run the Ansible desired-state playbook:

cd Del-B/Proxmox-Ansible
ansible-playbook playbook.yaml

Run a dry-run:

ansible-playbook playbook.yaml --check

Run a dry-run with diff output:

ansible-playbook playbook.yaml --check --diff

What The Automation Checks

• VM and container status
• Expected running state for selected machines
• Firewall status on the Proxmox node
• Missing firewall allowance for the configured admin network
• Failed VM/CT start attempts

Output Files

• Del-A/rapport.json: structured inventory output from the Python script
• Del-A/inventory.log: timestamped inventory run summary
• Del-B/log.txt: sample desired-state summary
• Del-B/warning_log.txt: sample warning output

Final Scope

This project is intentionally focused on a small Proxmox lab. It demonstrates scripting, configuration management, SSH-based administration, desired-state thinking, warning handling, and operational documentation without hiding the actual infrastructure workflow behind a dashboard.

Future Improvements

• Add an Ansible Vault example if credentials are ever needed
• Add CI validation for YAML syntax
• Add a sample --check output file for documentation
• Split environment-specific values into a clearer sample inventory

License

This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. See LICENSE for the full license text.