Question

Difficulty: MediumCapabilities of Configuration Management Mechanisms (Puppet, Chef, Ansible)

Match each network configuration management framework on the left to its corresponding operational architecture, primary transport protocol, and native template file type on the right.

  • AnsibleAgentless framework using SSH or NETCONF for push operational updates with YAML Playbooks
  • PuppetAgent-based framework using TCP port 8140 for pull updates with declarative DSL Manifests
  • ChefAgent-based framework using TCP port 443 for pull updates with Ruby-based Cookbooks and Recipes

Answer

Ansible matches with the agentless SSH/NETCONF push framework using YAML Playbooks. Puppet matches with the agent-based TCP 8140 pull framework using declarative DSL Manifests. Chef matches with the agent-based TCP 443 pull framework using Ruby-based Cookbooks and Recipes.
Ansible uses an agentless architecture using SSH or NETCONF to push YAML Playbooks to target devices. Puppet uses an agent-based pull architecture over TCP 8140 using Puppet DSL Manifests. Chef uses an agent-based pull architecture over TCP 443 using Ruby Cookbooks and Recipes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Ansible's deployment model and communication method.
Ansible is agentless, uses push execution over SSH/NETCONF, and structures tasks in YAML Playbooks.
Ansible connects directly to targets without requiring specialized client software running on network switches or routers.
2
Analyze Puppet's communication port and file format.
Puppet uses an agent-based pull model communicating over TCP port 8140 using Manifest files written in Puppet DSL.
Puppet agents periodically check in with the Puppet Master over port 8140 to pull and enforce desired state.
3
Analyze Chef's communication port and configuration structures.
Chef uses an agent-based pull model communicating over HTTPS (TCP port 443) using Cookbooks containing Recipes written in Ruby.
Chef Client nodes poll the Chef Server securely over port 443 to download required recipes.

Key Concept

Operational attributes, transport protocols, and configuration file formats of Ansible, Puppet, and Chef
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