Introduction to Chef

Introduction to Chef

Bascom Bridge’s  Introduction to Chef course teaches attendees how to automate the stand up and configuration of complex server environments and the deployment of applications to those environments. Attendees learn how to script Chef using Ruby and how to develop simple and complex cookbooks and recipes. Along the way, participants learn patterns and best practices to ensure that they are to achieve optimal results with Chef following training.

CHEF TRAINING OBJECTIVES

All students will:

• Understand how to build and manage a Chef infrastructure
• Design, build and deploy fully functional Chef cookbooks and recipes
• Master best practices and patterns for Chef to ensure optimal results

CHEF TRAINING PREREQUISITES

All students should be comfortable at the Linux command line.

CHEF TRAINING MATERIALS

All Chef training students receive comprehensive courseware covering all topics in the course.

SOFTWARE NEEDED FOR EACH PC:

• Laptop or desktop with i7 quad core processor or faster
• 8GB RAM or higher
• Internet connection for all attendees and the instructor
• Note: If you do not have classroom computers available with this spec, we can recommend a rental laptop vendor whose machines meet these specifications.
• For classes delivered online, all participants need either dual monitors or a separate device logged into the online session so that they can do their work on one screen and watch the instructor on the other. A separate computer connected to a projector or large screen TV would be another way for students to see the instructor’s screen simultaneously with working on their own.

CHEF TRAINING OUTLINE

• Introduction
• Ruby Primer (enough to understand how to read Chef code)
  • Basic Syntax
  • Data structures used in Chef
  • Hash
  • Array
  • Blocks
• Chef Refresher
  • What Chef provides
  • Cookbooks
• Local Chef Cookbook Development
  • Vagrant
• Running Chef
  • Chef Server/Client
  • Chef Solo
• Building a Basic Cookbook
  • Parts of a Cookbook
  • Recipes
  • Attributes
  • Templates / Files
• Building a more Complicated Cookbook
  • Chef node customization
  • Environments
  • Roles
  • Nodes
  • Data Bags (Encrypted+)
  • Using other Chef resources
  • Using multiple cookbooks together
  • Dependency management
  • Cookbook Metadata
• Cookbook Patterns and Practices
  • Application vs. Library Cookbooks
  • Resources best practices
• Building Custom Resources
  • Libraries / Definitions
  • Lightweight Resource Providers
• Conclusion