# Ansible 2.3.1.0 sshpass requirement

**URL:** <https://forum.ansible.com/t/ansible-2-3-1-0-sshpass-requirement/24663>\
**Category:** Ansible Project\
**Created:** [June 6, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/ansible-2-3-1-0-sshpass-requirement/24663 "2017-06-06T15:41:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Fiddes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cdc98d/32.png) [@Peter\_Fiddes](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Peter_Fiddes)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/ansible-2-3-1-0-sshpass-requirement/24663/1 "2017-06-06T15:41:44Z")

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Does anyone have any background information on why in ansible 2.3.1.0, the sshpass program has become a requirement?

I got the following error while running a playbook thats worked up until immediately after I upgraded:

`

TASK [Gathering Facts] \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*  
fatal: [REDACTED]: FAILED! =\> {“failed”: true, “msg”: “to use the ‘ssh’ connection type with passwords, you must install the sshpass program”}

`

The repository is using a username and password - but for good reason, part of the play sets up user accounts. (yes there are other ways, but this is our setup)

I noticed at least someone else has the issue:  
[http://everythingshouldbevirtual.com/ansible-2-3-1-sshpass-error](http://everythingshouldbevirtual.com/ansible-2-3-1-sshpass-error)

And some other fixes:  
[https://thornelabs.net/2014/02/09/ansible-os-x-mavericks-you-must-install-the-sshpass-program.html](https://thornelabs.net/2014/02/09/ansible-os-x-mavericks-you-must-install-the-sshpass-program.html)  
[https://gist.github.com/arunoda/7790979](https://gist.github.com/arunoda/7790979)

However - Im in an environment where downloads from sourceforge are denied, so I’m a bit stuck at the moment. I can’t change that.

Can anyone with information about the release explain whats changed to cause this to be a requirement now?  
We need to understand what we can do to work around it, and keep our ansible up to date.

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**Author:** ![Brian\_Coca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@Brian\_Coca](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Brian_Coca)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/ansible-2-3-1-0-sshpass-requirement/24663/2 "2017-06-07T14:54:15Z")

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The sshpass program has always been required when using the ssh plugin  
and a password prompt.

Ansible defaults to 'smart' connection plugin which tries to detect  
Openssh (issues with old versions) and OS X (due to crashing kernel  
with ssh) to decide between using paramiko (which does not require  
this program) and ssh connection plugins.

If you are forcing the usage of the ssh plugin and/or the detection in  
OS X is now returning 'ssh' instead of paramiko you would see this  
change.