Ansible Configuration Repository

This repository is the source of truth for automated, repeatable configuration management across multiple High Performance Computing Systems environments.

Infrastructure Configuration
High-performance computing and cloud infrastructure at JSC
Declarative control workflow showing desired state convergence

Declarative Control

Defines desired system state using Ansible playbooks and roles, enabling consistent configuration across heterogeneous clusters.

Idempotent execution
System inventory hierarchy and segmented environment groups

System Inventory

Maintains inventories and group variables for named systems and sub-clusters, supporting targeted deployments and phased rollouts.

Segmentation
Operational security checks with vault and controlled deployment gate

Operational Security

Uses vault-managed secrets, SSH configuration automation, and check-mode validation before changes are applied to production.

Change control

What lives here

  • Playbooks for system lifecycle tasks (provisioning, updates, recovery).
  • Reusable roles and collections to standardize configuration patterns.
  • Inventories and group variables for specific HPC environments.
  • Client setup and SSH automation to ensure consistent access paths.

Why it matters for government operations

  • Auditability through version-controlled infrastructure changes.
  • Repeatable execution for predictable deployments and remediation.
  • Reduced configuration drift across critical compute and storage systems.
  • Supports staged rollouts and verification using Ansible check mode.

Organizational context

This repository supports the High-Performance Computing, Cloud and Data Systems & Services Division within JSC. The division integrates multiple architectures into a coherent production environment and operates services through specialized teams.

JSC division alignment

Division focus areas

  • Software and operations for the HPC environment.
  • Storage and data services for large-scale workflows.
  • Cloud provisioning and infrastructure services.
  • Security and service integration across platforms.

Reference: Division overview