--- title: "Accessing your Ansible Control Node" description: "Our Ansible Control Node allows you to start managing remote systems. The container is set up with Git, popular playbooks, an is easy to configure in the Account Management Panel (AMP). This allows..." url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/ansible/getting-started-ansible-control-node/ date: 2020-04-01 modified: 2023-08-16 author: "InMotion Hosting Contributor" categories: ["Ansible Tutorials"] type: post lang: en --- # Accessing your Ansible Control Node Our **Ansible Control Node** allows you to start managing remote systems. The container is set up with Git, popular playbooks, an is easy to configure in the Account Management Panel (AMP). This allows you to spend less time working on your Ansible agent and more time managing remote nodes. Features include: - All needed Python and Ansible dependencies - InMotion’s Ansible Catalog - Eliminated issues with a spotty local internet connection - Free up local resources - Use the included GNU Screen or Tmux utilities - All text editors are welcome: vi, vim, GNU Nano, and GNU Emacs The Ansible Control Node is only available with Cloud Server or [Bare Metal dedicated server](/bare-metal-servers) hosting plans. You can always install Ansible manually. Below we’ll cover how to get started with your Ansible Control Node. - [Locate the Ansible Control Node](#add) - [Start Ansible Control Node](#start) - [Update Ansible Control Node](#update) - [Log into Ansible Control Node](#login) ## Locate the Ansible Control Node 1. Ensure you’ve [added an SSH Key in AMP](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/product-guides/cloud-server/manage-ssh-keys/#ansible) 2. Select **My Account** at the top to return to the main page 3. Under *Manage My Account*, select **Ansible Control Node**[![](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-amp-account-1.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-amp-account-1.png) 4. Upon first visit to the Ansible Control Node page you’ll be prompted to select an existing public key or add a new key[![](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-ssh-key-1-1024x635.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-ssh-key-1.png) 5. After you’ve selected a key, select **ADD KEY** 6. Select **Change SSH Key** to change your Ansible key at any time ## Start the Ansible Control Node You must start the Ansible Control Node in AMP before you can log into it to run plays. Note that the Ansible Control Node shuts down after 24 hours of inactivity. 1. [Log into AMP](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/amp/how-to-log-into-amp/) 2. At the top, select **Ansible Control Node** 3. Select **Start Ansible**[![](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-control-node-start.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-control-node-start.png) 4. Save the provided **username**, **port**, and **IP address **somewhere safe such as the KeePass password manager You can stop the Ansible Control Node from this page at any time by selecting **Stop Ansible**. [![](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-control-node-stop-282x300.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-control-node-stop.png) ## Update Ansible Control Node Ensure your Ansible Control Node is up-to-date by checking for updates periodically. 1. Log into AMP 2. Select **Ansible Control Node** at the top of AMP 3. If there are any updates, you’ll be able to select **Ansible Update Available**[![](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-control-node-update-1024x180.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ansible-control-node-update.png)*Click the button when there’s an Ansible Update Available* 4. Select **Yes, Update Now** Any current SSH sessions with the Ansible Control Node will be closed during updates. ## Log into Your Ansible Control Node 1. Once your Ansible Control Node has started, [log into your Ansible Control Node via SSH](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/server/ssh/how-to-login-ssh/): e.g. ssh -i *key-name* *user*@*IPaddress* -p *port-number*ssh -i key-1 ansible@1.2.3.4 -p 1234“-i” specifies the key file name and “-p” specifies the port for connection 2. From the Ansible Control Node, [create an SSH key](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/server/ssh/how-to-generate-ssh-keys/) 3. Using our [**Manage My SSH Keys** guide](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/product-guides/cloud-server/manage-ssh-keys/), install the public key you created on the Ansible Control Node to any Cloud Server or Bare Metal Dedicated Server you want to manage with Ansible Great, you are now in your Ansible Control Node. Next, you can try a common deployment of WordPress onto a Server by following our [**Using the WordPress UltraStack Playbook**](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/ansible/inmotion-wordpress-ultrastack-playbook/) guide. Learn more about how to maintain your deployments with our [Ansible Education channel](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/ansible/).