Cfengine vs Puppet vs ChefRon TolandSCALE 2013
Background
Scenario
Common Features
Flexible
Configuration as Code
Declarative DSL*
* well, ok, not chef. but let's pretend.
Evaluation Criteria
Footprint
Scalability
Documentation
Learning Curve
Cfengine
Footprint: Low
Cfengine
Scalability: High
Cfengine
Documentation: Terrible
Cfengine
Learning Curve: Painful
Puppet
Footprint: Ruby
Puppet
Scalability: Tricky
Puppet
Documentation: Excellent
Puppet
Learning Curve: Gentle
Chef
Footprint: Ruby + Friends
Chef
Scalability: YES
Chef
Documentation: Ok
Chef
Learning Curve: Moderate
Recommendations
Small to Mid Scale: Puppet
Mid to Large Scale: Chef
Job Security: Cfengine
Further Reading
Cfengine: http://cfengine.com/
Puppet: https://puppetlabs.com/
Pro Puppet, Turnbull & McCune
Chef: http://www.opscode.com/chef/