cdist vs Cfengine

Struggling to choose between cdist and Cfengine? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

cdist is a System & Hardware solution with tags like configuration-management, automation, python.

It boasts features such as Configuration management, Infrastructure as code, Agentless architecture, Parallel execution, Python-based manifests, Customizable via plugins and pros including Lightweight and fast, Easy to get started, Powerful templating capabilities, Good for bootstrapping, Active open source community.

On the other hand, Cfengine is a Network & Admin product tagged with automation, configuration-management, devops.

Its standout features include Agent-based architecture for distributed configuration management, Declarative policy-based configuration language, File integrity monitoring and intrusion detection, Automated system configuration and maintenance, Built-in promise theory for modeling dependencies, Support for common OS platforms like Linux, Windows, Solaris, and it shines with pros like Powerful policy framework for modeling system state, Agentless and autonomous operation, Efficient at scale for large server deployments, Robust security and access controls, Thorough file integrity monitoring capabilities, Open source with active development community.

Feature	cdist	Cfengine
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	System & Hardware	Network & Admin

Product Overview

cdist

Description: cdist is an open source configuration management tool written in Python. It allows system administrators to define the configuration of servers and deploy it to multiple machines in parallel. cdist works by running small scripts called 'manifests' on remote hosts.

Cfengine

Description: Cfengine is an open source configuration management software used to automate tasks like configuring servers, managing files, and deploying applications. It uses a policy-based approach allowing admins to define desired system states.

Key Features Comparison

cdist Features

• Configuration management
• Infrastructure as code
• Agentless architecture
• Parallel execution
• Python-based manifests
• Customizable via plugins

Cfengine Features

• Agent-based architecture for distributed configuration management
• Declarative policy-based configuration language
• File integrity monitoring and intrusion detection
• Automated system configuration and maintenance
• Built-in promise theory for modeling dependencies
• Support for common OS platforms like Linux, Windows, Solaris

Pros & Cons Analysis

cdist

Pros

• Lightweight and fast
• Easy to get started
• Powerful templating capabilities
• Good for bootstrapping
• Active open source community

Cons

• Limited adoption and support
• Steep learning curve
• Not ideal for large environments
• No graphical interface

Cfengine

Pros

• Powerful policy framework for modeling system state
• Agentless and autonomous operation
• Efficient at scale for large server deployments
• Robust security and access controls
• Thorough file integrity monitoring capabilities
• Open source with active development community

Cons

• Steep learning curve for policy language
• Less intuitive than procedural languages like Ansible
• Limited built-in modules compared to Ansible/Puppet
• Complex dependency modeling requires planning
• Not as widely used as other tools like Chef/Puppet

Pricing Comparison

cdist

• Open Source

Cfengine

• Open Source
• Commercial Editions Available