Enterprise DevOps streamlined by Opscode's service offerings
In the ever-evolving world of technology, the divide between software development and IT operations has long been a challenge. This cultural and functional gap is being addressed by a movement known as 'DevOps', and Opscode, a leading player in infrastructure automation, proposes that its tool, Chef, can help with this alignment.
Chef, an open-source infrastructure automation tool, is designed to streamline application design, development, and deployment. Developers are responsible for the application's design and development, while IT operations staff ensure applications are up and running. Chef's automated discovery function can reveal information about systems that were previously unknown, even in IT shops with good deployment and installation practices.
Last year, Opscode launched an on-premise version, called Private Chef, aimed at enterprise customers. This version has found favour with around 20 customers, who already account for more than half of the company's revenues. The hosted version of Chef, on the other hand, is most popular among small, expert web site companies.
Recipes, a key component of Chef, provide a common language for development and operations. They serve as a document of a process and can be triggered automatically for automation. Executing Chef's recipes for application deployment allows for trackable changes, aiding in change management and deployment compliance. Opscode claims that automation with Chef can help manage increasingly complex architectures without hiring more skilled employees.
DevOps aims to align software development and IT operations under a common goal. IT operations focuses on availability and dislikes risk, while software development is concerned with innovation. Achieving alignment in DevOps is primarily a management challenge. There is a potential for DevOps and ITIL-driven systems management to coexist, according to Opscode.
Opscode offers a free, open-source version of Chef to promote its use and potentially lead to commercial engagements. For customers who decide to transition from the open-source version to the enterprise products, Opscode provides services and support.
However, it's worth noting that the search results do not contain the name of any of the 20 customers who have used Private Chef since its release. This could suggest a degree of confidentiality surrounding the company's clientele.
In summary, Opscode's Chef is a powerful tool in bridging the gap between software development and IT operations, helping to manage complex architectures and promoting collaboration in the DevOps movement. Its potential benefits extend beyond scale-out web environments, making it a valuable asset for enterprises with intricate application interconnections.
