Ansible error: Server unreachable, ssl: auth method ssl requires a password

In this article, we will discuss how to fix “Ansible SSL Authentication Error: Server unreachable, ssl: auth method ssl requires a password”. Please see how to Configure Advanced PAM in Linux. How to fix “Request timed out and Destination Host Unreachable, Transit Failed, General Failure“, and how to install and configure Ansible on Ubuntu. This error message suggests that there is an issue connecting to a server over SSL. And that the authentication method being used requires a password.

Also, see how to Install and configure Ansible on Azure Virtual Machine, the Various Ansible Authentication Options And how to IP Address UNREACHABLE: HTTP connection pool Max exceeded.

Why was the error “Server unreachable, ssl: auth method ssl requires a password” Prompted?

When you ping a remote device with any of the remote Ad-Hoc commands as shown below. The error will be prompted

ansible win -m win_ping

ansible all -i hosts -m win_ping

Note: The error above occurs when the host inventory file isn’t correctly configured.

In the /etc/ansible/hosts file, you didn’t specify the password, and you didn’t set Ansible WinRM server cert validation to ignore. This behaviour is intentional.

- ansible_pass=SecretPasswordGoesHere
- ansible_winrm_server_cert_validation=ignore

Solution

Complete the host file as shown above. When this these parameters are entered correctly, the following errors will no longer be prompted.

I hope you found this blog post on Ansible SSL Authentication Error helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.