Ansible-Dropbox with directory exclude (selective sync)

That's what the role does:

• Installing Dropbox directly on a CentOS machine.
• Creates a userspecific systemd.service file. Multiple role runs for multiple users should be possible.
• Starts the dropbox daemon with user rights and checks whether the host is already linked.
• If not linked, it prints the URI to click and waits depending on operation mode (see below).
• Enables selective sync. Excluding directories is possible.

The problem:

• Installing Dropbox on a Linux machine requires to link the device. Linking the device is done by clicking on a URL and logging in to Dropbox. That kinda kills a fully automated install.

The solution:

• The role supports two ways of operation. These are controlled by the variable dropbox_unattended.
• When dropbox_unattended: true, then
  • the role does not stop and runs through.
  • If the device has not been linked yet, the URL to link the device is printed.
  • Obviously no directory exclude will be configured when the device is not yet linked.
  • Simply run the role again after linking and the direcotries will be excluded.
  • This mode is used for Travis CI testing.
• When dropbox_unattended: false, then
  • the role pauses and waits for unser interaction.
  • This is the default.
  • You get prompted when you have to click the link.
  • After linking, press enter in the Ansible run.

Usage

1. Install role

cd yourPlaybookFolder/
ansible-galaxy install iptizer.ansible_dropbox

2. Create Playbook

vim dropbox.yml
## something like
- hosts: all
  roles:
    - iptizer.ansible_dropbox

3. Configure your Variables, or leave default and run playbook.

ansible-plabook dropbox.yml -l <<your destination host>>

4. Due to default setting unattended=false, playbook will stop and prompt a URL. Click it and press ENTER.

That's it.

Misc

• I wrote a short blogpost surrounding this role.
• Feel free to open Issues at all time!