Chef Training

Chef converts or treats the infrastructure into/as a Code.

Chef workflow has three components –

Workstation – is where all the interaction takes place. It is where Cookbooks are created, tested and deployed  

Chef-Server – is where all Cookbooks, files, recipes and metadata are stored. It is the bridge that connects the Workstation to the Node

Node(s) – are the networks (Physical, Virtual machines and Cloud). Each node is managed by the Chef server and configured by Chef-client installed on it

Chef is not an orchestration tool. It is more specifically a configuration management tool but aids in orchestration. Chef plays a role in orchestration through Chef-metal that allows one to use core Chef principles to manage other aspects of one’s infrastructure.

Chef is written in Ruby and Erlang which provide a way to define infrastructure as a code. Chef helps to configure, deploy and manage infrastructure over the networks by writing code instead of the usual manual process.

Some of the Chef tools and terminologies are –

• Recipe - contains information of everything that needs to be run, changed or created)
• Cookbook - Unit of configuration, it is comprised of recipes)
• Chef infra client - runs Chef
• Chef-apply - allows a single recipe to be run from the command line
• Chef-repo - repository
• ChefDK - Collection of tools to develop Cookbooks
• Kitchen – integration framework used to test Cookbook data
• Knife – a command-line tool used to manage nodes

Chef has been written in both Ruby and Erlang. Chef uses a Ruby DSL or Domain Specific Language for writing system configuration recipes.

Chef automation will not destroy jobs or careers of the support functions. In fact, Chef will help support/admin staff to re-orient their skill sets towards understanding as to how they can configure and customize DevOps tools such as Chef. Chef in a way provides an opportunity for system admins to enhance their DevOps skills and further their careers.

Following are the Steps to set-up Chef –

• Step#1: Install the Chef server
• Step#2: Create User and Organization
• Step#3: Set up Chef Workstation
• Step#4: Add RSA private keys
• Step#5: Add Version control
• Step#6: Generate Knife.rb
• Step#7: Bootstrap a Node

Following are the steps to Install Chef –

• Step#1: First, identify the Chef server type, is it hosted or on-premises?
• Step#2: Review the prerequisites
• Step#3: Select the omnibus installer for the desired platform
• Step#4: Run the omnibus installer
• Step#5: Set the system Ruby
• Step#6: Install git
• Step#7: Set up the chef-repo
• Step#8: Create the. chef directory
• Step#9: Get the .pem files and knife.rb files
• Step#10: Move files to the. chef directory
• Step#11: Add omnibus Ruby to the $PATH environment variable
• Step#12: Get SSL certificates from the Chef server
• Step#13: Verify the chef-client install

Yes, Chef can install and configure Windows roles and features effectively. The increasing efforts from Microsoft towards Open source technologies and Chef’s detailed Windows Cookbook make this possible.

Chef installation on Chef workstation is done correctly and can be verified when the workstation is able to use Chef Knife to communicate with Chef Server.

Chef is a really powerful and proven automation tool that is used to programmatically control the IT infrastructure environment. Chef allows recreating the infrastructure environment by automating the system configuration. It helps to maintain the desired consistency and integrity of the infrastructure environment.

Some major benefits are -

• Irrespective of the size of infrastructure and operating environment Chef can automatically and effectively configure, deploy and manage the IT infrastructure
• Chef helps in accelerating the software application delivery process
• It helps in enhancing the system’s resilience and efficiency
• It works brilliantly on the cloud, on-premise and hybrid environments
• Speeds up Cloud adoption
• Streamlines IT workflow and operations

Chef allows organizations to scale cloud infrastructure without any interruptions. Due to many features for Chef software, more than 400 companies have started using Chef IT management software. The major companies using Chef IT management software are Amazon EC2, VMWare, IBM SmartCloud, Rackspace, OpenStack, Windows Azure, HP Cloud, Google Compute Engine, Joyent Cloud and others.

Yes, we can use Chef in Windows. In fact, Chef can be used to automate the complete Windows stack and will allow you to have complete control of your Windows infrastructure.

There are certain prerequisites for learning Chef – the learner should have some understanding of IT infrastructure, System administration and Network protocol communication. Although an understanding of Ruby language is preferred, for the beginner, a grasp on PHP can be a value addition.

There are quite a few forums and articles on the internet for a learner to get a basic idea of what Chef is all about and the role it plays in Infrastructure management.

There are also some online courses available to help beginners get a good grasp on Chef automation tool.

At KnowledgeHut, we have a very detailed and structured course on Chef to give you a good understanding of the subject. Our instructors are world class experts with relevant industrial experience and this will enable you to have a great learning curve and an experiential perspective.

Chef is definitely worth learning. Over the years, it has become a very popular and preferred configuration management tool. Automation is the future and organizations are actively moving towards that stage. Chef plays a significant role in the automation and configuration of the IT infrastructure. Simply put, the more servers an organization has, the more is the requirement for an automation tool like Chef.

A basic understanding of Ruby is required to be able to better comprehend what Chef is all about. However, you can begin learning about Chef even if you do not possess knowledge of Ruby by downloading some Cookbooks from the Chef Community / Supermarket and do some re-runs.

Chef uses Ruby as a reference language to define patterns found in recipes, resources and cookbooks.

Yes, learning automation tools such as Chef, Puppet, Ansible enhances your resume outlook.

Knowledge of these automation tools plays a significant role in your career graph. Enterprise automation is driving the IT strategy of companies and this has resulted in higher demand for engineers who have a good grip on automation tools.

Equipping yourself with knowledge on automation will not only bring you a better pay package but also accelerate your career progression.

In reality, Chef isn’t such a difficult tool to learn. Yes, the learning curve for Chef can be steep. That is because Chef is a declarative tool, i.e., there need not be an exact procedure to be followed. Plus, knowledge of Ruby becomes essential to learn Chef.

In order to get a sound knowledge of Chef’s core components, architecture, various terminologies, and have basic fluency with the most commonly used tools, you can go for  Chef training and certification from a good institute. One of the good institutes for Chef certification is KnowledgeHut. Below are the reasons that will help you figure out why KnowledgeHut is earning more traction from industry experts.

• The course is live and interactive and you can clear all your doubts anytime with the instructors
• The course curriculum is designed by experts and is always updated with the latest technology advancement
• You can learn through 3 modes of training- Online classroom training, one to one training, and Team/Corporate training
• The training consists of reason-based learning that will help you gain not only theoretical but practical knowledge
• You can get your code reviewed by professionals
• You will learn how to automate your infrastructure with Chef
• Mentored by Industry Leaders - Our support team will guide and assist you whenever you require help
• Access to lifetime mentoring
• Hands-on practice with  tools

Although learning Chef like tools can be fruitful as far as your career is concerned, some sort of affinity  towards automation, DevOps etc will help you become a better Chef professional.

• First off, it would be easier if you understand what Chef is all about and its pivotal role in the DevOps cycle
• Then, get acquainted with the basics such as code, command line, system administration basics etc.
• Then, you could enrol in a reputed classroom or online course
• Post that you should work on some live projects to test your skills and try to gain real-time experience

The more time you spend working on real-time projects the better your handle on Chef would be

You will receive a course completion certificate issued by KnowledgeHut on successful completion of:

• 24+ Hrs of Live Sessions
• 50+ Hrs of MCQs And Assignments
• 3 Live Projects
• 20+ Hrs of Hands-On Sessions With Chef Concepts

The course completion certification offered by KnowledgeHut has lifetime validity.

The career benefits of learning are many.

Some are –

• Greater knowledge and grip on DevOps and automation
• Better hold on Chef techniques and tools to automate infrastructure tasks
• Better career opportunities in the DevOps space
• Better understanding on Product deployment, delivery and management

Higher salary packages – average pay of $93,445 /Year as per Payscale.com

The future looks very bright for Chef as an automation tool. In fact, Microsoft and Chef have begun a collaboration to help Microsoft in its goal towards greater automation and DevOps. Chef is also being used for Microsoft cloud – Azure. Many more companies are embracing Chef for their DevOps process. Hence, knowledge of Chef prepares you to be ready for a number of DevOps roles and job opportunities.

Training in the Chef tool will help you get a command on the aspect of Configuration management. As the IT infrastructure of companies grows, there is a greater need for configuration management to help maintain the system’s integrity over time.

As a Chef professional you will be a potential recruit for all companies embracing DevOps. As you gain expertise on Chef, the scope for growth in the DevOps space becomes bigger.

At Knowledgehut, our customized and detailed hands-on training on Chef software will help you get a solid grip on Chef fundamentals and be job ready.

The average salary of Chef certified individual is $ 82k per annum.

Note: All information mentioned is accurate as of July 2019.

Chef has been an amazing tool when it comes to setting up the IT infrastructure and has been producing some remarkable results for companies that have adopted this software.

Companies need to create, deploy and manage software products in a much more efficient manner and in a shorter time frame. DevOps plays a significant role here and Chef is one of the most popular DevOps tools. So, the demand for Chef software professionals will only increase.

Companies like Facebook, Etsy and Indiegogo use Chef which makes it an even more popular configuration management tool. When bigger and more companies adopt Chef, it leads to increased demand for Chef software professionals.

Chef professionals are hired to manage configuration systems. Considering that start-ups, mid-level, and multinational organizations are all endorsing Chef, there is a potential for Chef experts to be recruited by such companies. IT-Software / Software Services, Construction / Engineering / Cement / Metals, Automobile / Auto Components, IT-Hardware & Networking, Recruitment / Staffing, KPO / Research / Analytics are the types of companies (industries) hiring Chef developers.