Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Salt Engines 
3.
Configuration 
4.
Writing an engine 
5.
Frequently Asked Questions
5.1.
Can SaltStack support managed file backups?
5.2.
What defines SaltStack as open-source software? 
5.3.
Can SaltStack be described as open-core?
5.4.
What is SaltStack's drawback? 
5.5.
What is the advantage of saltstack? 
6.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024

About Salt Engine

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Introduction

Open-source, Python-based software called Salt (also known as SaltStack) is used for event-driven IT automation, remote task execution, and configuration management. Supporting the "infrastructure as code" method for managing and deploying data center systems and networks, automating configurations, orchestrating SecOps, fixing vulnerabilities, and controlling hybrid clouds 

about salt engine

In this blog, we will discuss salt engines in detail; let’s first discuss what a salt engine is.

Salt Engines 

Long-running, external system processes that use Salt are called salt engines.
 

  • Salt configuration, execution modules, and runners are accessible to engines.
     
  • Engines run in a separate process that Salt keeps track of. A Salt engine is automatically restarted if it shuts down.
     
  • Both the Salt master and the Salt minions can run machines.
     

The functionality of the external processes is improved and replaced by salt engines.

Configuration 

In your Salt master or Salt minion configuration, Salt engines are set up under an engine's top-level section. Under this section, mention the machines and parameters.

engines:
  - logstash:
      host: log.my_network.com
      port: 5959
      proto: tcp

 

By providing the engine module parameter in the engine configuration, it is possible to configure many instances of a specific Salt engine. 

engines:
  - production_logstash:
      host: production_Log.myNetwork.com
      port: 5959
      proto: tcp
      engine_module: logstash
  - develop_logstash:
      host: develop_log.myNetwork.com
      port: 5959
      proto: tcp
      engine_module: logstash

 

The Salt path must contain Salt engines, or you can add the engine's dirs option to your Salt master setup with a list of folders Salt should look in. The format for this option should be a list of directories to search, like

engines_dirs:
  - /home/bob/engines

Writing an engine 

The Salt source code includes a sample Salt engine on GitHub. The start() function must be implemented in your module to create an engine. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SaltStack support managed file backups?

Yes, SaltStack does allow for controlled file backups. 

What defines SaltStack as open-source software? 

From a student's perspective, Salt (also known as SaltStack) is considered an open-source program because customers can download and use Salt or SaltStack for free as a stand-alone product. It was created using contributions approved by the specific community to advance the project. Hence it is termed open-source software.  

Can SaltStack be described as open-core?

The answer to the earlier query is "no." SaltStack cannot be referred to as open-core. It is devoted and fully committed to being open-source software. The software was created using the Apache 2.0 license. As a result, it may be used in both proprietary and open projects. 

What is SaltStack's drawback? 

SaltStack lacks a user interface with many features. As a result, users use the command-line tool appropriately to complete their duties.

What is the advantage of saltstack? 

With one minion that can command others, SaltStack can be set up in a tiered configuration to achieve load balancing and boast redundancy. 

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the introduction of the salt engine, the configuration of the salt engine, and an example of a salt engine. 

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