Vibe Coding: Principles and Applications in Programming

Ansible is an open-source tool used for automating tasks related to management, configuration, and maintenance of servers or network devices. Official website and documentation: https://docs.ansible.com/ How Ansible Works So, what does Ansible do? It connects to selected nodes (hosts) from your inventory and sequentially executes tasks to bring them into the desired state. playbook: a file describing tasks and their sequence task: a task, a single action for verification or execution inventory: grouping and list of managed nodes (hosts) Advantages The simplest yet most powerful automation tool Does not require additional software installed on managed nodes (only Python is needed, which usually comes “out of the box”) Uses the standard SSH protocol for connections Only necessary changes are applied Operations can be safely re-run (the system won’t make redundant changes) Ensures consistent system state Allows clear and convenient infrastructure descriptions In addition, Ansible has a large community that develops and supports various modules. Where Is Ansible Used? Main use cases: System preparation and configuration Automated software deployment, package and service management Automation of CI/CD processes Network device configuration (network management) System auditing, applying security policies, and automatic compliance enforcement It’s important to understand that Ansible is just a tool. Choosing the right tool depends on the task at hand. For example, theoretically, you can use Ansible to manage Kubernetes (k8s) configurations, but there are better tools for that purpose: Helm, helmwave, and kustomize. Another example: with Ansible, you can create virtual machines and containers in clouds or hypervisors, but Terraform is better suited for such tasks. Installing Ansible Ansible can be installed as a standalone package or via Python libraries. Installation instructions for different operating systems are available in the documentation. For installation, the following VPS at Hostman is sufficient: OS: Ubuntu 24.04 CPU: 1 × 3.3 GHz RAM: 1 GB NVMe: 15 GB Ansible Configuration Settings: Key Files and Parameters Configuration File Path to the configuration file: /srv/ansible/ansible.cfg Example configuration: [defaults] inventory = ./hosts.yaml host_key_checking = False log_path = /var/log/ansible.log vault_password_file = ./vault.key force_color = 1 callback_result_format = yaml [ssh_connection] timeout = 10 retries = 2 server_alive_interval = 60 pipelining = True ssh_args = "-o StrictHostKeyChecking=no" scp_if_ssh = True allow_world_readable_tmpfiles = True Section [defaults] inventory = ./hosts.yaml: specifies the path to the hosts file. This file stores information about all managed hosts and organizes them into logical groups. host_key_checking = False: by default, Ansible enables host key checking. Host key checking protects against server spoofing. Not recommended in production, but convenient for development. log_path = /var/log/ansible.log: path to the log file. vault_password_file = ./vault.key: path to the master password file, used for Ansible Vault encryption. force_color = 1: enables colored logs for readability. callback_result_format = yaml: formats output results as YAML. Some parameters can be set as environment variables, for example: ANSIBLE_HOST_KEY_CHECKING=False ANSIBLE_FORCE_COLOR=1 Other parameters, such as inventory or vault_password_file, can be set in the command line when launching: ansible-playbook ansible/debug.yaml -i ansible/hosts.yaml But it is more convenient and clearer to store basic settings in the file ansible/ansible.cfg. Ansible Inventory: Managing Hosts To manage hosts, the file ansible/hosts.yaml is used. Example: all: vars: ansible_user: ansible hosts: 5.181.182.204: # your host IP or domain ansible_user: root # ansible_password: 'SuperPass' ansible_ssh_private_key_file: ./ansible/ssh/id_rsa As connection points, you can use either an IP address or a domain name. In this example, there is no domain name, so we specify the external IP address obtained when creating the Hostman VM. Note: the user password must be enclosed in quotes. Connections usually use either a password or a certificate (public key must be pre-installed on remote nodes). For experiments, it’s easier to use a password. When using a private key, you must check file permissions for id_rsa; only the owner should have read access; no one else can copy or modify the key: chmod -R 400 ./ansible/ssh/id_rsa In the file ansible/hosts.yaml, the variable vars.ansible_user is set for demonstration. Inside hosts.ansible_user, the same variable is redefined as root. If you don’t override it and only define it at the higher vars level, you can avoid duplicating common variables across different hosts. Basic Commands and Usage Examples Let’s start with simple tasks that don’t make changes to the system but help to understand the structure of commands. For example, we have the ansible/debug.yaml file, a simple playbook example. Run it: ansible-playbook ansible/debug.yaml In the output, we’ll see various system information and go through the commands from the file ansible/debug.yaml in order: - hosts: all vars: my_variable: aaaawww tasks: - name: Show ansible variable debug: msg: "variable: {{ my_variable }}" - name: Show environment variable debug: var: lookup('env', 'ANSIBLE_CONFIG') - name: Show OS release info debug: msg: "{{ ansible_distribution }} {{ ansible_distribution_version}} {{ansible_distribution_release}}" hosts: defines which nodes (hosts) to run commands on. Since we specified only one host in ansible/hosts.yaml, all tasks will be executed on that host. vars: allows us to set variables at the playbook level. tasks: sequence of tasks to run. Output of the variable set in vars: - name: Show ansible variable   debug:     msg: "variable: {{ my_variable }}" Output of an environment variable: - name: Show environment variable   debug:     var: lookup('env', 'ANSIBLE_CONFIG') Output of OS and hardware info: - name: Show OS release info debug: msg: "{{ ansible_distribution }} {{ ansible_distribution_version}} {{ansible_distribution_release}}" - name: Show total CPU + RAM debug: msg: | CPU cores: {{ ansible_processor_cores * ansible_processor_count }} Total memory: {{ ansible_memtotal_mb }} MB Where does Ansible get this data? By default, unless gather_facts: false is set, Ansible automatically collects system information when connecting to a host. To view all collected information, you can use this task: tasks: - name: Show all facts debug: var: ansible_facts Each task is described using a module and its parameters: name: task name (arbitrary) debug: name of the module (from the list of available ones, depending on goals) debug.var: module parameter In the documentation, you may also see examples like: tasks:   - name: Show all facts     ansible.builtin.debug:       var: ansible_facts ansible.builtin.debug is the same as the debug module (the ansible.builtin prefix can be omitted). debug and other standard modules are part of Ansible’s core. All built-in modules can be found in the documentation. apt Module (Debian/Ubuntu Package Manager) See Documentation for the module. - name: Install packages   apt:     pkg:       - htop       - curl Even without documentation, it’s clear that this task will install the htop and curl packages (equivalent to apt install -y htop curl). Checking Variables with when and assert Goal: Check that the variable my_age contains a number between 18 and 100. - name: Check var hosts: all vars: my_age: 42 tasks: - name: Checking the type of a variable fail: msg: "The variable must be an integer" when: my_age is not integer - name: The value of the my_age variable must be between 18 and 100 assert: that: - my_age <= 100 - my_age >= 18 fail_msg: "Incorrect my_age value - must be from 0 to 100" success_msg: "The value of my_age is correct" At the start, the variable my_age = 42 is set. The first task checks with when if it’s actually an integer; if not, the playbook stops with an error. The second task checks if the value is within the range. If you run the playbook, it will succeed. But if you override the variable in the launch command: ansible-playbook ansible/playbooks/assert.yaml --extra-vars "{ my_age: 769 }" You’ll get an error and the playbook will stop: TASK [The value of the my_age variable must be between 18 and 100] ************** fatal: [5.181.182.204]: FAILED! => assertion: my_age <= 100 changed: false evaluated_to: false msg: Incorrect my_age value - must be from 0 to 100 Loops Loops in Ansible look like this: - hosts: all tasks: - name: Register loop output as a variable shell: "echo {{ item }}" loop: - "test" - "test2" - "test3" register: echo In this task, the echo command will run for each element in the loop list. Additional functions: map: a basic for loop; iterates over list items. select / reject: conditional for; creates a subset of a list matching (or not matching) conditions. selectattr / rejectattr: similar, but works on specific attributes of list elements. Ansible selectattr: Filtering Data in Playbooks Example: select only red fruits from a list using selectattr. - hosts: all vars: fruits_list: - name: apple color: red - name: banana color: yellow - name: cherry color: red tasks: - name: Selectattr show red fruits debug: msg: "{{ item.name }} is red." loop: "{{ fruits_list | selectattr('color', '==', 'red') | list }}" copy Module Playbook: ansible/playbooks/copy.yaml See Documentation for the module. - name: Copy files to remote locations hosts: all tasks: - name: Copy file with owner and permissions copy: src: ../files dest: /tmp owner: root group: root mode: '0644' This task copies the directory from ansible/files to /tmp/files on the remote host. If src is a directory, it is copied recursively. If the path ends with /, only the contents are copied into the destination. This behavior is similar to rsync. To copy files from a remote host back to local, use the fetch module (see documentation). template Module See Documentation for the module. Templates let you create dynamic files by inserting variable values. Ansible uses the Jinja2 templating engine. Example template file ansible/files/simple_template.j2 (not required to use .j2 extension, but recommended): # This is a simple example of using a template. name: {{ name }} task: {{ task }} Playbook using the template: - name: Template a file out to a target host hosts: all tasks: - name: Simple template a file template: src: ../files/simple_template.j2 dest: /tmp/test.conf vars: name: "Ansible" task: "Template" As the result, the remote host receives the file with substituted variables. You may want to check an online service for creating and testing templates: tech-playground.com. Ansible Web UI The main way to run and use Ansible is the command line, but there are projects that provide a graphical interface for managing tasks: Ansible AWX (free, Apache License 2.0) Red Hat Ansible Tower (commercial) Semaphore (free, MIT License) Semaphore UI Ansible vs Other Automation Systems Infrastructure automation tools fall into two main categories: Configuration management tools: Ansible Chef SaltStack Puppet Their main job: configuring and managing software on already existing servers. They automate software installation, package updates, and system settings. Provisioning tools: Terraform Pulumi Their job: creating the infrastructure itself: virtual machines, networks, databases. This is a broader approach that starts from the foundation of IT systems. Often, these tools are combined, with Terraform + Ansible being the most common pairing. Feature Highlights Ansible Easiest to start with No extra software required on nodes (besides Python) Uses SSH protocol for connections Chef Uses cooking metaphors (recipes, cookbooks) Suitable for complex infrastructures Strong support for configuration testing Steeper learning curve SaltStack High performance thanks to optimized architecture Good for large-scale solutions Modules are written in Python Works well in distributed systems Puppet Powerful for large enterprises Well documented More complex to learn, but very powerful Great for standardizing configurations In any case, we recommend starting with Ansible when learning infrastructure automation. Summary In this article, we aimed to show Ansible’s built-in modules and basic usage examples as clearly as possible. However, the most effective way to learn such tools is practice. Ansible skills are often required in job postings for system administrators, DevOps engineers, and SREs. Next steps for learning: Roles Encryption with ansible-vault Community Collections

File sharing is an integral part of the modern Internet. Files are downloaded from websites, sent through social networks and messengers, and uploaded to remote storage. The level of detail in modern virtual objects is astonishing. Game textures are no longer eight-bit, and images now come in extremely high resolution. Naturally, such detail requires resources. Despite compression technologies, file sizes grow year after year. For example, in the early 2010s, a technologically advanced computer game rarely exceeded 10 gigabytes in size. A modern AAA title can easily surpass 200 gigabytes. That is why special services for file sharing have emerged.  What is a File Sharing Service A file sharing service is an online platform for storing and exchanging files between users. Files can be of any type: Documents Images Videos Audio Text Binaries In essence, a file sharing service acts as a type of file hosting with a set of tools for sending files to other users, compressing them, editing, and analyzing their contents. So, how do you share a file? You simply upload a file to a remote server and then send a special link to another person, allowing them to download the file to their local computer. Thus, the service takes on the full functionality of storing and transferring files, relieving the devices of ordinary Internet users from these tasks. Types of File Sharing Services File sharing is actually a broad concept. There are many ways to organize the process, and they differ technologically. This applies both to storage infrastructure and transfer protocols. File Sharing Service vs. Cloud Storage The fundamental difference between a file sharing service and cloud storage is evident from the names: a file sharing service focuses on exchanging files, while cloud storage emphasizes storing them. While file sharing services rely on a centralized server architecture, cloud storage represents a distributed network of servers. As a rule (though not always), file sharing services limit the maximum file size and retention period. In contrast, cloud storage rarely imposes restrictions, especially on paid plans. However, with the development of cloud technologies, the line between file sharing services and cloud storage is becoming blurred. In fact, classical file sharing services are now rarely used. Modern cloud storage provides the same or even greater functionality for free. Paid subscriptions often remove all limits entirely. Moreover, the term “file sharing service” is undergoing semantic change. It increasingly means “storage” rather than “exchange,” and the phrase is used less frequently. People now say “uploaded to the cloud” rather than “uploaded to a file sharing service.” Nevertheless, file sharing services anticipated the era of cloud storage, and they remain relevant today. P2P File Sharing Services P2P (Peer-to-Peer) is a computer network where all users are equal participants in data exchange. Special clients are used to connect to P2P networks. There are dozens of them, but the most popular include: uTorrent BitTorrent MediaGet eMule Despite having file exchange functionality, a P2P network is not a file sharing service in the strict sense as it does not have its own server for centralized file storage. Unlike classical file sharing services, P2P networks focus more on efficient data transfer than on storage. Moreover, P2P technology does not impose any limits on file size or transfer speed; it depends on the infrastructure and protocol. For example, the BitTorrent protocol can handle files up to one terabyte. However, downloading a large amount of data may be unstable if there are few seeds, i.e., participants distributing files in the P2P network. That is why a 10-gigabyte file could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 30 hours to download. The quality of file sharing in P2P networks depends on several key factors: Number of seeds: the number of participants sharing files. Internet speed: network restrictions imposed by the provider. P2P client settings: limits on speed and simultaneous connections. NAT and firewall: blocking of incoming connections at the network level. P2P networks are most often used for secure file downloads. If the connection is lost, the download pauses and resumes automatically without losing progress. Alternative Technologies Centralized file sharing services (and cloud storage) and decentralized P2P networks are the most common, but not the only ways to exchange files. Other technologies include: NAS servers: Network Attached Storage allows files to be stored on a separate physical server (corporate or home) connected to a local network. FTP/SFTP connections: Standard FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and secure SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) allow files to be transferred between network nodes: a remote server and a user. Messengers and social networks: Almost all modern communication platforms support sending files in private messages and comments. In this case, files are stored on the platform’s remote server. Many users therefore use social networks as free file hosting. Email: Files up to 25 MB can be attached to emails, which are then sent through the mail server. Most file transfer methods operate in a centralized manner. They require a main server (or group of servers) to handle data transmission. File sharing services act as a compromise compared to other methods. They are easier to use than cloud storage, P2P networks, or NAS servers but offer less security and control over files. Cloud storage is large, P2P networks are highly decentralized, and NAS servers are complex. Social networks and messengers may be safer and more functional but require registration and personal data. In short, file sharing services balance multiple characteristics, remaining the most optimal method for exchanging files. For long-term storage, cloud storage is the best choice. Each method has its core ability: File sharing service: fast exchange Cloud storage: long-term storage P2P network: secure download NAS server: high control Messenger/social network: social engagement Email: simple sending How File Sharing Works A classical file sharing service is a website for uploading and downloading files. Each uploaded file has its own page with information on its name, extension, format, size, creation date, and upload date. A link to this page can be shared with anyone. From a user’s perspective, file sharing services and cloud storage work similarly: uploading, storing, and sending files to others. Choosing a file: On a dedicated page (sometimes the homepage), the user either clicks a button to manually select files or drags them into a designated area. Uploading the file: After selection, the user clicks “Upload” to start transferring files to the remote server, and a progress indicator shows the status. Generating a link: Once uploaded, the service provides a unique URL to the file page, including basic information and a download button. Access permissions: Some services allow setting permissions for uploaded files, using HTTP cookies or authorization data. Sharing the link: The URL can be shared with others so they can download the file. Most file sharing services require registration, though some allow uploads with limits on file size and retention period. Usage differs depending on whether the user is logged in. Types of file sharing services: Without registration: anonymous services with minimal control and limited retention. With registration: services with personal dashboards; the best file sharing platforms are of this type. Encrypted: secure services with client-side encryption, hiding content even from the platform itself. Choosing a File Sharing Service There are many services available online. Option 1: One-time transfer For one-time file sharing, free services with direct links are suitable. These usually show ads, their main monetization method. Example: an interior designer uploads a ZIP archive of a finished 3D model and sends the link via email. Option 2: Recurring transfers For regular sharing of the same files with multiple users, use a service with registration and a full dashboard. Paid plans often remove limits. Example: a student uploads nine volumes of a textbook in PDF format and shares links in various groups and chats, allowing downloads throughout the academic year. Option 3: Constant transfers For continuous large-scale sharing, cloud storage is best. Example: an audiobook website administrator uploads MP3 files to cloud storage and shares links on the site. Option 4: Constant distribution For regularly sharing large amounts of data (hundreds or thousands of megabytes) with many users, P2P networks are ideal. Users must install a special client. Example: a mod developer distributes a large game mod through a P2P network. Participants can download and share files depending on the network and client. Top File Sharing Services in 2025 Name Free Storage Paid Storage Max File Size Min Subscription Files.fm 20 GB 2 TB–100 TB 400 GB $10/mo Filemail 5 GB 250 GB–1 TB 250 GB $5/mo   Jumpshare 2 GB - 20 GB $15/mo   Transfer Now 5 GB 500 GB–2 TB 500 GB 10 €/mo   Send Anywhere 10 GB 200 GB–500 TB 30 GB $6/mo   anonfiles - - 20 GB -   MediaFire 10 GB 50 GB–1 TB 50 GB $4/mo   Tresorit - 50 GB–4 TB 20 GB $6/mo   DropMeFiles 50 GB - 50 GB - Top Cloud Storage in 2025 Name Free Storage Paid Storage Max File Size Min Subscription Google Drive 15 GB 100 GB–2 TB 10 GB $2/mo OneDrive 5 GB 100 GB–6 TB 250 GB $2/mo Dropbox 2 GB 2 TB–15 TB 250 GB $12/mo TeraBox 1024 GB 2 TB–5 TB 128 GB 249 ₽/mo pCloud 10 GB 500 GB–10 TB - $5/mo Conclusion Universal services, although increasingly popular, cannot fully replace specialized tools. Despite the shift to cloud, file sharing services remain relevant. Cloud storage is multifunctional but bulky. A file sharing service is specialized but compact. Cloud storage is like a multitool with many attachments. A file sharing service, by contrast, resembles a pocket knife with a sharp, dedicated edge. For quick local tasks, overly complex tools are unnecessary. “Upload, send, forget!” is the motto of the modern file sharing service.

VMware virtualization is an advanced technology that allows multiple independent operating systems to run on a single physical device. It creates virtual machines (VMs) that emulate fully functional computers, ensuring their isolation and efficient use of hardware resources. Virtualization enables the distribution of a server's computing power among multiple VMs, each functioning autonomously and supporting its own operating system and applications. This makes the technology highly valuable in corporate and cloud environments. In this article, we will explore how VMware virtualization works and review its key products. How VMware Virtualization Works The foundation of the technology is the hypervisor—a software platform that manages virtual machines and their interaction with physical hardware. The hypervisor allocates resources (CPU, RAM, disks, network) and ensures VM isolation, preventing them from affecting each other. Hypervisors are divided into two types: Type 1 (Native, Bare-Metal) These hypervisors run directly on physical hardware without an intermediate operating system. They offer high performance and are widely used in corporate data centers. Example: VMware ESXi. Type 2 (Hosted) These are installed on top of an operating system, which simplifies usage but reduces performance due to the additional layer. Examples: VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion. VMware provides comprehensive virtualization solutions, including products such as vSphere, ESXi, and vCenter. These allow the creation and management of VMs while efficiently distributing server resources. For example, the ESXi hypervisor operates at the hardware level, ensuring reliable isolation and dynamic resource allocation. vCenter offers centralized management of server clusters, supporting features like live VM migration (vMotion), virtual networks (NSX), and storage (vSAN). VMware Product Line for Virtualization VMware offers a wide range of tools for different virtualization tasks. Here’s an overview of key products and their applications: VMware Workstation What it is: Software that allows running multiple virtual machines on a single physical computer or laptop. Supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, BSD, and Solaris. Features include snapshot creation and built-in support for graphics components such as DirectX and OpenGL. Purpose: Used for creating and testing applications in isolated virtual environments, emulating various operating systems and configurations. Who it’s for: Developers, QA engineers, and other IT professionals needing to test software or explore new technologies. Also suitable for beginners and students learning the basics of virtualization. VMware Fusion What it is: A version of VMware Workstation for Apple computers. It offers similar functionality but supports a more limited set of operating systems. Purpose: Allows running services and applications, including Windows apps, on Mac computers without installing an additional operating system for testing or development. Who it’s for: Mac users who need to run Windows applications. Also used by developers creating cross-platform applications on macOS. VMware Horizon What it is: A virtualization environment providing virtual desktops (VDI) and applications. Enables centralized management of virtual desktops, apps, and services. Purpose: Offers remote access to desktops and applications, simplifying management and enhancing data security. Who it’s for: Companies needing to organize remote work and ensure secure access to corporate resources. Can also be used for centralized workstation management. VMware Cloud Foundation What it is: An integrated software platform for managing hybrid clouds. Provides a unified solution that automates and scales cloud infrastructure. Purpose: Simplifies deployment and management of private and hybrid clouds, providing a consistent approach to infrastructure and automation. Who it’s for: Large enterprises and organizations that want scalable cloud infrastructures supporting hybrid scenarios. VMware ESXi What it is: A Type 1 hypervisor for creating and managing virtual machines. Installed on physical servers without requiring an operating system. Purpose: Used for creating and managing a large number of VMs and other virtual devices, optimizing resource usage and ensuring high reliability. Who it’s for: Medium and large enterprises. Ideal for data center use. VMware vCenter What it is: A centralized platform for managing VMware virtual components. Controls ESXi hosts, virtual machines, and data storage. Purpose: Simplifies management of numerous virtual machines and hypervisors, offering full control over the virtual infrastructure. Who it’s for: Large organizations needing centralized management of their virtualized environment. VMware vSphere What it is: A virtualization platform for creating, managing, and running multiple VMs on a single physical server. Comprises VMware ESXi and the VMware vCenter Server management system. Purpose: Provides a scalable and reliable environment for critical applications, supporting high availability and fault tolerance. Who it’s for: Enterprises of any size that require a robust virtual infrastructure. Alternative Products Although VMware leads the virtualization market, there are many other software products—both free and commercial—for virtualization, including: Proxmox VE Microsoft Hyper-V XenServer Red Hat Virtualization oVirt OpenStack Nutanix AHV Oracle VirtualBox QEMU/KVM Parallels Desktop Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Nutanix Frame Virtualization Capabilities Virtualization offers the following advantages: Isolation: Each VM operates independently, minimizing failure risks. Flexibility: Quick creation, cloning, and migration of VMs across servers. Efficiency: Optimized use of server resources. High Availability: Technologies like vMotion and Fault Tolerance ensure uninterrupted operation. Automation: Tools simplify deployment and monitoring. Business Benefits of Virtualization Virtualization provides businesses with opportunities to optimize processes and improve efficiency: Reduce hardware costs by consolidating servers. Quickly deploy new applications without purchasing additional hardware. Enable remote access to workstations (e.g., via VMware Horizon). Simplify infrastructure management with vCenter. Scale IT resources to support company growth. Conclusion In today’s article, we explored the principles of virtualization using VMware hypervisors—a powerful tool for optimizing, scaling, and securing IT infrastructure. We reviewed the VMware product line, each product offering unique features for specific tasks. Key VMware product capabilities include: Virtual machine management: Full lifecycle support for VMs, including creation and configuration. Clustering and automated load balancing: High Availability and Distributed Resource Scheduler technologies ensure uptime and efficient resource use. Virtual network segmentation and protection: VMware NSX enables secure and flexible network configurations. Virtualized storage creation: vSAN technology ensures efficient management of data storage.