computer-playbook/04_SETUP.md

Setup Guide

This guide explains how to deploy and manage the Cyber Master Infrastructure Solution (CyMaIS) using Ansible. CyMaIS is based on a collection of playbooks and an inventory (computer-inventory) that defines your servers and personal computers. The playbooks use different “modes” to control behavior such as updates, backups, resets, and cleanup tasks. This document outlines how to use Ansible Vault, describes the various operating modes, and shows example commands to run the playbooks.

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Prerequisites

• Ansible Installed: Ensure that Ansible is installed on your control node.
• Inventory File: Have an inventory file that lists your servers and PCs. (Paths in examples are general; adjust them to your environment.)
• Vault Password File (Optional): Prepare a file with your vault password if you prefer not to enter it interactively.

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Ansible Vault Basics

CyMaIS uses Ansible Vault to protect sensitive data (e.g. passwords). Use these common commands:

Edit an Encrypted File

ansible-vault edit <filename.yml> --vault-password-file <your-vault-pass-file>

Decrypt a File

ansible-vault decrypt <filename.yml> --vault-password-file <your-vault-pass-file>

Encrypt a File

ansible-vault encrypt <filename.yml> --vault-password-file <your-vault-pass-file>

Encrypt a String

ansible-vault encrypt_string --vault-password-file <your-vault-pass-file> 'example' --name 'test'

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Operating Modes

CyMaIS playbooks support several modes that control which tasks are executed:

• mode_reset (true/false):
  When enabled, cleans up all CyMaIS-related files. Use this mode when you need to reinitialize the system completely. Note: Run the full playbook when using reset mode.

• mode_test (true/false):
  Executes test routines instead of production routines. Useful for staging or validation.

• mode_update (true/false):
  Enables update tasks to upgrade packages and Docker images. Set to false if you want to skip updates.

• mode_backup (true/false):
  Activates backup procedures before applying updates. This ensures your data is backed up prior to any changes.

• mode_cleanup (true/false):
  Performs cleanup of unused files and configurations (e.g., removing obsolete certificates or Docker volumes).

These modes are defined in your group variables (e.g., in a file like group_vars/all/01_modes.yml) and can be overridden via extra variables when running playbooks.

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Deploying on Servers

To deploy CyMaIS on your servers, use an Ansible playbook that targets your server inventory. Below are some example commands:

Configure All Servers

ansible-playbook -i /path/to/your/inventory/servers.yml "$(pkgmgr path cymais)playbook.servers.yml" --ask-vault-pass

Configure a Specific Server

For example, to target a server named galaxyserver:

ansible-playbook -i /path/to/your/inventory/servers.tmp "$(pkgmgr path cymais)playbook.servers.yml" --limit galaxyserver --ask-vault-pass

Run in Temporary Mode Without Update

ansible-playbook -i /path/to/your/inventory/servers.tmp "$(pkgmgr path cymais)playbook.servers.yml" --limit galaxyserver -e "mode_update=false" --ask-vault-pass

Run Without Update and Backup

ansible-playbook -i /path/to/your/inventory/servers.tmp "$(pkgmgr path cymais)playbook.servers.yml" --limit galaxyserver -e "mode_update=false" -e "mode_backup=false" --ask-vault-pass

Run with Cleanup and Debug (Using a Vault Password File)

ansible-playbook -i /path/to/your/inventory/servers.tmp "$(pkgmgr path cymais)playbook.servers.yml" --limit galaxyserver -e "mode_update=false" -e "mode_backup=false" -e "mode_cleanup=true" -e "enable_debug=true" -v --vault-password-file /path/to/your/vault_pass.txt

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Using a Vault Password File

To avoid entering your vault password interactively every time, use the --vault-password-file option:

--vault-password-file /path/to/your/vault_pass.txt

Ensure the vault password file is stored securely.

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Password Generation

You can generate a secure random password and encrypt it with Ansible Vault. For example:

ansible-vault encrypt_string "$(cat /dev/urandom | tr -dc 'A-Za-z0-9' | head -c 32)" --vault-password-file /path/to/your/vault_pass.txt | xclip -selection clipboard

This command generates a 32-character alphanumeric password, encrypts it, and copies the result to your clipboard.

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Final Notes

• Customizing Paths and Variables:
  All file paths and configuration variables are defined in group variables (e.g., group_vars/all/*.yml) and role variable files. Adjust these to suit your deployment environment.

• Combining Modes:
  The different modes (reset, test, update, backup, cleanup) can be combined by passing extra variables (using -e) on the command line. This flexibility allows you to tailor the playbook run to your current needs.

• Debugging:
  If you need more verbose output or troubleshooting information, add the -v (or -vvv) option when running the playbook.

This guide should give you a comprehensive starting point for managing your infrastructure with CyMaIS. For further details, consult the individual role documentation and the accompanying repository README files.