Chef is an open source systems integration framework and configuration management system. Chef provides a Ruby library and API that can be used to bring the benefits of configuration management to an entire infrastructure.
Chef works by allowing the administrator to write recipes that describe how an element of a server (e.g Apache or MySQL) should be configured. The recipes use a pure Ruby DSL.
The recipes describe a series of resources that should be in a particular state. For example, what packages need to be installed, what services should be running. The software then ensures that each resource is configured correctly, fixing any problems which are identified. This ensures that the configured servers are always running exactly how the user needs them.
Recipes may be grouped together in roles. Applying a role to a node ensures that the node receives all the recipes. Recipes can reference attributes in other recipes, and also apply other recipes.
Chef can be used as a client-server tool, or run as a standalone tool.
Features include:
- Uses Ruby as the configuration language.
- Designed from the ground up to integrate with other tools.
- Applies resources in the order they are specified in your Recipes – there is no dependency management.
- Mutual authentication.
- Encrypts.
- Cookbooks are available for more than 70 different parts of the infrastructure.
- Scalability.
- Cross-platform software – runs under Linux, BSD, HP-UX, Solaris, and other operating systems.
Website: www.chef.io/chef
Support: GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Opscode
License: Apache License
Chef is written in Ruby. Learn Ruby with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Return to Configuration Management Tools | Return to Cloud Management Tools
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
 | The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. |
 | Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. |
 | Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. |
 | Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. |
 | Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. |
 | New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. |
 | Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. |
 | Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. |
 | Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. |
 | Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. |
 | Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. |
 | Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. |
 | Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. |
 | Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. |
 | Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. |
 | Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. |
 | Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. |
 | These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! |
 | These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. |
 | Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. |
 | Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |