This is a text-only version of the following page on https://raymii.org:
---
Title       : 	Ansible Inventory from VMWare
Author      : 	Remy van Elst
Date        : 	06-01-2014
URL         : 	https://raymii.org/s/software/Ansible__Dynamic_Inventory_From_VMware_vCenter.html
Format      : 	Markdown/HTML
---



This is a simple script which lets you use VMWare vCenter as a dynamic inventory
for Ansible.

[Github repository][1]  
[Official Website][2]

<p class="ad"> <b>Recently I removed all Google Ads from this site due to their invasive tracking, as well as Google Analytics. Please, if you found this content useful, consider a small donation using any of the options below:</b><br><br> <a href="https://leafnode.nl">I'm developing an open source monitoring app called  Leaf Node Monitoring, for windows, linux & android. Go check it out!</a><br><br> <a href="https://github.com/sponsors/RaymiiOrg/">Consider sponsoring me on Github. It means the world to me if you show your appreciation and you'll help pay the server costs.</a><br><br> <a href="https://www.digitalocean.com/?refcode=7435ae6b8212">You can also sponsor me by getting a Digital Ocean VPS. With this referral link you'll get $100 credit for 60 days. </a><br><br> </p>


### Installation

Install PySphere:

    
    
    pip install -U pysphere
    

Edit the script's login data and VCenter server FQDN:

    
    
    server_fqdn = "vcenter.example.org"
    server_username = "jdoe"
    server_password = "secure_passw0rd"
    

### Test it:

Get all powered on VM's:

    
    
    python2 query.py --list
    

Output:

    
    
    {
        "no_group": {
            "hosts": [
                "vm0031",
                "vm0032",
                [...]
                "vm0999"
            ]
        },
        "local": [
            "127.0.0.1"
        ]
    }
    

Get one VM:

    
    
    python2 query.py --host vm0032
    

Output:

    
    
    {
        "admin": "sysadmin@example.org",
        "source_database": "VMWare"
    }
    

Nonexistent VM:

    
    
    python2 query.py --host nonexist
    

Output:

    
    
    [Error]: [Object Not Found]: Could not find a VM named 'notexist'
    

Do a simple ansible ping:

    
    
    ANSIBLE_HOSTS="/home/remy/git/vmware-ansible/query.py" ansible all -m ping
    

Result:

    
    
    vm0032 | success >> {
        "changed": false,
        "ping": "pong"
    }
    
    vm0034 | success >> {
        "changed": false,
        "ping": "pong"
    }
    

### Usage

Either export the ANSIBLE_HOSTS variable to always use the VMWare inventory:

    
    
    export ANSIBLE_HOSTS="/home/remy/git/vmware-ansible/query.py"
    

Or preface each ansible command:

    
    
    ANSIBLE_HOSTS="/home/remy/git/vmware-ansible/query.py" ansible all -m apt -a "upgrade=safe"
    

### Notes

Tested with both vCenter 5.1 and 5.5, Python 2.

Does not support grouping by datacenter or resource group

Thanks to [JP Mens][4]'s article for the inspiration.

   [1]: https://github.com/RaymiiOrg/ansible-vmware
   [2]: https://raymii.org/s/software/Ansible__Dynamic_Inventory_From_VMware_vCenter.html
   [3]: https://www.digitalocean.com/?refcode=7435ae6b8212
   [4]: http://jpmens.net/2013/06/18/adapting-inventory-for-ansible/

---

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