Chef network framework

As shown in Figure 101, Chef operates in a client/server network framework. Basic Chef network components include the Chef server, Chef clients, and workstations.

The Chef server is used to centrally manage Chef clients. It has the following functions:

• Creates and deploys cookbooks and deploying cookbooks to Chef clients on demand.

• Creates .pem key files for Chef clients and workstations. Key files include the following two types:

  • User key file—Stores user authentication information for a Chef client or a workstation. The Chef server uses this file to verify the validity of a Chef client or workstation. Before the Chef client or workstation initiates a connection to the Chef server, make sure the user key file is downloaded to the Chef client or workstation.

  • Organization key file—Stores authentication information for an organization. For management convenience, you can classify Chef clients or workstations that have the same type of attributes into organizations. The Chef server uses organization key files to verify the validity of organizations. Before a Chef client or workstation initiates a connection to the Chef server, make sure the organization key file is downloaded to the Chef client or workstation.

For information about installing and configuring the Chef server, see the official Chef website at

https://www.chef.io.

Workstations provide the interface for you to interact with the Chef server. You can create or modify cookbooks on a workstation and then upload the cookbooks to the Chef server.

A workstation can be hosted by the same host as the Chef server. For information about installing and configuring the workstation, see the official Chef website at

https://www.chef.io.

Chef clients are network devices managed by the Chef server. Chef clients download cookbooks from the Chef server and use the settings in the cookbooks.

HPE devices support Chef 12.3.0 client.