How to customize HTTP headers in Ansible get_url module?

Customizing HTTP Headers in Ansible get_url Module

In the Ansible get_url module, you can customize the HTTP headers to be used when downloading a file or resource from a web server. This can be useful in scenarios where you need to include specific headers, such as authentication credentials, content types, or other metadata, to interact with the target server correctly.

To customize the HTTP headers in the get_url module, you can use the headers parameter. This parameter takes a dictionary of key-value pairs, where the keys represent the header names, and the values represent the corresponding header values.

Here's an example of how to use the headers parameter in the get_url module:

- name: Download a file with custom headers
  get_url:
    url: https://example.com/file.txt
    dest: /tmp/file.txt
    headers:
      Authorization: Bearer my_access_token
      Content-Type: application/json

In this example, the get_url module is used to download a file from the URL https://example.com/file.txt and save it to the local path /tmp/file.txt. The headers parameter is used to include two custom headers: Authorization with the value Bearer my_access_token, and Content-Type with the value application/json.

You can include as many headers as needed, depending on the requirements of the target server. Here's another example that demonstrates how to include multiple headers:

- name: Download a file with multiple custom headers
  get_url:
    url: https://example.com/api/data
    dest: /tmp/data.json
    headers:
      Authorization: Bearer my_api_key
      Accept: application/json
      Content-Type: application/json
      X-Custom-Header: my_custom_value

In this example, the get_url module is used to download a file from the URL https://example.com/api/data and save it to the local path /tmp/data.json. The headers parameter includes four custom headers: Authorization, Accept, Content-Type, and X-Custom-Header.

By using the headers parameter in the get_url module, you can tailor the HTTP request to meet the specific requirements of the target server, ensuring that your Ansible playbooks can interact with web-based resources effectively.

The Mermaid diagram above illustrates the key components of the get_url module, including the URL, destination file, and the customizable HTTP headers. The headers can include various types of information, such as authentication credentials, content types, and custom headers, to meet the specific requirements of the target server.

By understanding how to customize the HTTP headers in the get_url module, you can enhance the flexibility and functionality of your Ansible playbooks, allowing them to interact with a wider range of web-based resources and services.