sharing automation - why we need a language like ncf for this (ignite @ devopsdays belgium 2014)
TRANSCRIPT
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ncf
A language for configuration management - and why we need one!
Jonathan CLARKE – [email protected]@jooooooon42 (that's 7 'o's)
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ncfwww.ncf.io
Who am I?
Jonathan ClarkeOrigins: Sysadmin, infrastructure management
Work at
Creator of and ncf.io
Co-organizer of events:
We're a sponsor!Come and say hi :)
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ncfwww.ncf.io
Why ncf?
What is ncf? Not so fast...
Let's start with why ncf.
devopsCULTURE AUTOMATION
MEASURE SHARING
Configuration Management (CM) in this case
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ncfwww.ncf.io
Develop an application and deploy it,manage IT operations, security, etc etc etc ...
On automation and sharing
“Typical” IT team
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ncfwww.ncf.io
A minority of the team will learn a tool and it's language. Let's call them “the experts”.
On automation and sharing
“Typical” IT team adopts CM
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ncfwww.ncf.io
Changes, deployments, new features...all end up requiring <your chosen CM tool>,
therefore the “experts”.
On automation and sharing
What about the others?
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ncfwww.ncf.io
They have a choice: learn or get left behind.
On automation and sharing
What about the others?
? ? ??
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ncfwww.ncf.io
On automation and sharing
Does this look like good sharing?
? ? ??
We must be able to do better.
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ncfwww.ncf.io
Getting everyone on board?
Getting everyoneon board for CM is hard
Frustration“I can do it quicker by hand or with a shell script”
Steep learning curveNew concepts, non obvious syntaxes, paradigm, ...
Lack of motivation“What do I have to gain from using this tool?”
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ncfwww.ncf.io
Getting everyone on board?
Let's make it easier for everyone to use CM!
Frustration“I can do it quicker by hand or with a shell script”
Steep learning curveNew concepts, non obvious syntaxes, paradigm, ...
Lack of motivation“What do I have to gain from using this tool?”
→ Provide simpler interfaces! → Show the benefits!
→ Enable quick wins!
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ncfwww.ncf.io
What should it look like?
Ideal IT team and CM stack
Abstraction layer
Manager level
Expert level
Definegoals
Analysereports
Fine tunemodules
Managestack
Consolidation layer
Use availablemethods
Focus ontask at hand
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ncfwww.ncf.io
What should it look like?
Ideal IT team and CM stack
Abstraction layer
Manager level
Expert level
Definegoals
Analysereports
Fine tunemodules
Managestack
Consolidation layer
Use availablemethods
Focus ontask at hand
ncf
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ncfwww.ncf.io
What is ncf?
We created ncf
ncf is a frameworkthat runs in pure CFEngine language,to help structure CFEngine policy and
provide reusable, single purpose components distributed under the GPLv3 license.
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ncfwww.ncf.io
What is ncf?
Example === 1000 words
With ncf:
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ncfwww.ncf.io
A layered approach
A layered approach
Generic methodsUnit tasks: “Copy file”,“Install package”, …Implement the “how”
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ncfwww.ncf.io
A layered approach
A layered approach
TechniquesUse the providedmethods, keep focus
Generic methodsUnit tasks: “Copy file”,“Install package”, …Implement the “how”
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ncfwww.ncf.io
A layered approach
A layered approach
Generic methods
ServicesGet an overviewBenefit from CM
TechniquesUse the providedmethods, keep focus
Unit tasks: “Copy file”,“Install package”, …Implement the “how”
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ncfwww.ncf.io
Each generic_method does one thing and one thing only
Philosophy
Core principles
Objective not subjective
KISSDRY
ExtensibleOpen source
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ncfwww.ncf.io
An even nicer interface
Simple web interface – ncf builder
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Questions?
Check it out on:http://www.ncf.io/
Jonathan CLARKE – [email protected]@jooooooon42 (that's 7 'o's)
Come chat with us on our table!