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Introduction to Salt Project

Elle Krout

Introduction to Salt Project aims to provide DevOps engineers, system administrators, and anyone interested in using open-source Salt with the skills needed to not just get started using this robust orchestration platform, but also write clean Salt formulas for configuration management. Beginning with reviewing basic Salt concepts and architectures, we'll create a Salt environment and then use that environment to explore Salt's remote execution features and targeting. Once we have this core system down, we'll learn how it works as the basis for Salt's configuration management states. We'll write our own states and formula and then learn how to add logic to these with the templating language, Jinja. Finally, we'll close out the course by getting hands-on with Salt's YAML-based data store, called pillar. Once finished, you'll become a confident Salt user for remote execution and configuration management, able to write efficient states and formulas to manage any size of infrastructure.

This course is no longer available. Find something similar by browsing:
SaltStack Remote Execution Configuration Management Salt States Jinja Templating Language Pillar Data Store

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Guides students from beginner to advanced Salt use
Helps you gain hands-on experience in Salt's YAML-based data store, called pillar
Teaches you to write efficient Salt states and formulas to efficiently manage infrastructure
Goes into detail about remote execution features

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Reviews summary

Practical introduction to salt project

According to learners, this course is a largely positive and highly practical introduction to Salt Project, particularly beneficial for DevOps engineers and system administrators. Students consistently highlight its ability to provide a solid foundational understanding, with many appreciating the clear explanations and effective hands-on labs and demonstrations. The course's focus on remote execution and configuration management is often cited as immediately applicable in professional settings. While largely well-received, some learners noted that it assumes a basic IT background, making it potentially challenging for absolute beginners. A few also suggested that certain sections, like Pillar, could benefit from more depth or a less rushed pace, occasionally requiring supplementary reading.
The instructor effectively simplifies complex Salt concepts.
"The instructor explains complex topics clearly and the hands-on labs are incredibly helpful."
"It demystifies Salt Project quite well, making core concepts understandable."
"The Jinja templating section was particularly well done, clearly explained."
Labs and practical examples effectively reinforce core concepts.
"The hands-on labs are incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident in automating my infrastructure now."
"The practical examples make it easy to follow along. I especially appreciated the focus on configuration management."
"The content is well-structured, and the hands-on exercises really reinforce the learning."
Provides a clear, actionable introduction to Salt for professionals.
"This course is an excellent introduction to Salt. The instructor explains complex topics clearly and the hands-on labs are incredibly helpful."
"Absolutely essential for anyone looking to get started with Salt. The practical examples make it easy to follow along."
"As a system admin, this course provided immediate value. I'm already applying what I learned at work."
Some advanced topics might feel rushed or require external resources.
"Some parts felt rushed, especially towards the end with Pillar. I had to look up external resources to fully grasp some concepts."
"A very solid foundation for Salt, but I wished for slightly more advanced topics or real-world use cases."
"Don't expect it to be exhaustive without supplementary reading on certain concepts."
Course assumes some prior system administration knowledge.
"I found this course somewhat challenging to follow... it assumes some prior knowledge of system administration concepts."
"It's definitely geared towards those with some IT background, not absolute novices."
"I struggled with some of the hands-on parts, needing more foundational context."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Salt Project with these activities:
Review Linux Command Line
Start the course with a refreshed memory of the Linux command line, which will be used extensively throughout all lessons.
Browse courses on Linux
Show steps
  • Review cheat sheets with commonly used commands.
  • Practice navigating the file system using `cd` and `ls`.
  • Refresh using text editors like `vi` or `nano`.
Practice Remote Execution Commands
Build proficiency with remote execution commands in Salt, which are critical for managing infrastructure.
Show steps
  • Follow along with the course material and execute commands in the Salt environment.
  • Experiment with different targeting options to refine remote execution.
  • Test commands on various systems to observe their behavior.
Follow Pluralsight Tutorials on Salt's Configuration Management
Supplement course materials with additional tutorials to deepen understanding of Salt's configuration management capabilities.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable tutorials on Salt's configuration management.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, taking notes and practicing the concepts.
  • Experiment with different configuration options to observe their effects.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Write a Script to Automate a Simple Task
Solidify understanding of Salt states by creating a script to automate a basic task, such as installing a package or creating a user.
Show steps
  • Identify a simple task that can be automated using Salt.
  • Write a Salt state file that defines the desired configuration.
  • Test the script in a controlled environment.
  • Refine the script to improve efficiency and reliability.
Attend a Workshop on SaltStack Management
Gain hands-on experience and insights from experts in a workshop dedicated to SaltStack management.
Show steps
  • Research and identify a reputable workshop on SaltStack management.
  • Register for the workshop and prepare any necessary materials.
  • Attend the workshop, actively participate in discussions, and ask questions.
Read 'SaltStack: The Definitive Guide' by John Fitzpatrick
Gain a comprehensive understanding of Salt's architecture, features, and best practices by reading a reputable book on the subject.
View Peterson Reference Guide To Bird Behavior... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read through the book, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
  • Review the book's examples and try to replicate them in your own Salt environment.
  • Use the book as a reference when encountering challenges or seeking further clarification.
Develop a Configuration Management Plan for a Small Infrastructure
Apply knowledge gained in the course to create a practical plan for managing a small infrastructure using Salt's configuration management features.
Show steps
  • Define the scope and objectives of the configuration management plan.
  • Identify the target infrastructure and its components.
  • Design and implement Salt states to manage the infrastructure.
  • Document the plan and its implementation.
Participate in a SaltStack Management Competition
Test skills and knowledge in a competitive environment, showcasing proficiency in SaltStack management.
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a relevant SaltStack management competition.
  • Prepare for the competition by practicing and reviewing concepts.
  • Participate in the competition, applying knowledge and skills to solve challenges.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Salt Project will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer plans, designs, implements, maintains, and supports automated software delivery pipelines for organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in Salt, an open-source orchestration platform, which is a critical tool for DevOps Engineers to automate and manage complex IT infrastructures. The course covers Salt's remote execution features and targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). Mastering Salt helps DevOps Engineers become more efficient in their roles and deliver software more quickly and reliably.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator is responsible for the maintenance, configuration, and reliability of computer systems and networks. This course can be beneficial for Systems Administrators as it provides a deep dive into Salt, an open-source orchestration platform for managing IT infrastructures. Through hands-on experience, the course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). Gaining proficiency in Salt empowers Systems Administrators to automate and manage complex systems more efficiently, reducing downtime and improving overall system performance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
Site Reliability Engineer
A Site Reliability Engineer ensures the reliability, performance, and availability of software systems. This course provides valuable knowledge for Site Reliability Engineers as it focuses on Salt, an open-source orchestration platform for managing IT infrastructures. By learning Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar), Site Reliability Engineers can automate and manage complex systems more effectively. This course helps build a foundation for Site Reliability Engineers to proactively monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize software systems, ensuring continuous availability and reliability.
See salaries and explore the career path for Site Reliability Engineer
Cloud Engineer
A Cloud Engineer designs, builds, and manages cloud computing systems and applications. This course can be useful for Cloud Engineers as it provides a solid understanding of Salt, an open-source orchestration platform for managing IT infrastructures. The course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). Gaining proficiency in Salt enables Cloud Engineers to automate and manage cloud-based systems more efficiently, optimize resource utilization, and ensure the reliability and scalability of cloud applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. While this course may not be directly related to software development, it can provide valuable skills for Software Engineers who want to expand their knowledge in infrastructure management and automation. By learning Salt, an open-source orchestration platform, Software Engineers can gain insights into the management of large-scale IT infrastructures. The course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). This knowledge can complement their software development skills and make them more well-rounded engineers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
IT Manager
An IT Manager plans, organizes, and directs the activities of an organization's IT department. This course may be beneficial for IT Managers who want to enhance their understanding of IT infrastructure management and automation. By learning Salt, an open-source orchestration platform, IT Managers can gain insights into the latest tools and techniques for managing complex IT environments. The course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). This knowledge can empower IT Managers to make informed decisions and guide their teams in effectively managing and automating IT systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer designs, implements, and maintains computer networks. This course may be useful for Network Engineers who want to gain knowledge in IT infrastructure management and automation. By learning Salt, an open-source orchestration platform, Network Engineers can expand their skills in managing network devices and services. The course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). This knowledge can help Network Engineers automate network configurations, monitor performance, and troubleshoot issues more efficiently.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst plans and implements security measures to protect an organization's computer systems and networks. This course may be useful for Information Security Analysts who want to enhance their understanding of IT infrastructure management and automation. By learning Salt, an open-source orchestration platform, Information Security Analysts can gain insights into the tools and techniques for securing IT environments. The course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). This knowledge can empower Information Security Analysts to automate security configurations, monitor for threats, and respond to incidents more effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst collects, processes, and analyzes data to help businesses make informed decisions. While this course may not be directly related to data analysis, it can provide valuable skills for Data Analysts who want to gain knowledge in IT infrastructure management and automation. By learning Salt, an open-source orchestration platform, Data Analysts can automate data pipelines, manage data storage systems, and monitor data quality. The course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). This knowledge can help Data Analysts work more efficiently and focus on extracting insights from data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator manages and maintains database systems. This course may be useful for Database Administrators who want to gain knowledge in IT infrastructure management and automation. By learning Salt, an open-source orchestration platform, Database Administrators can automate database configurations, monitor performance, and troubleshoot issues more efficiently. The course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). This knowledge can help Database Administrators manage complex database environments and ensure the availability and integrity of data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans, organizes, and executes projects. While this course may not be directly related to project management, it can provide valuable skills for Project Managers who want to gain knowledge in IT infrastructure management and automation. By learning Salt, an open-source orchestration platform, Project Managers can automate project-related tasks, manage project resources, and track project progress. The course covers Salt's remote execution features, targeting, configuration management states, templating language (Jinja), and YAML-based data store (pillar). This knowledge can help Project Managers streamline project processes and improve project outcomes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst analyzes business needs and develops solutions to improve business processes. While this course may not be directly related to business analysis, it can provide valuable skills for Business Analysts who want to gain knowledge in IT infrastructure management and automation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates user manuals, technical documentation, and other written materials to explain complex technical concepts. While this course may not be directly related to technical writing, it can provide valuable skills for Technical Writers who want to gain knowledge in IT infrastructure management and automation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Quality Assurance Analyst
A Quality Assurance Analyst tests and evaluates software products to ensure they meet quality standards. While this course may not be directly related to quality assurance, it can provide valuable skills for Quality Assurance Analysts who want to gain knowledge in IT infrastructure management and automation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst
Software Tester
A Software Tester tests and evaluates software products to identify and report bugs. While this course may not be directly related to software testing, it can provide valuable skills for Software Testers who want to gain knowledge in IT infrastructure management and automation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

Reading list

We've selected five books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Salt Project.
Cover image
Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Reporting...
Save
Offers a solid foundation for understanding the core concepts and practical applications of SaltStack. It covers essential configuration management practices and provides practical examples.
Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Reporting...
Paperback
Check
Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Reporting...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Mastering SaltStack
Save
A concise and practical guide that covers the basics of SaltStack, including installation, configuration, and common tasks. It provides a good starting point for those who want to quickly get started with SaltStack.
Mastering SaltStack: Use Salt to the fullest
Paperback
$$$
Mastering SaltStack by Joseph Hall (2015-08-19)
Paperback
$$$$
Mastering SaltStack - Second Edition
Kindle Edition
$$
Mastering SaltStack
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Baseline study of biosaline agriculture and roadmap...
Save
Is the user guide for SaltStack for configuration management and orchestration.
Baseline study of biosaline agriculture and roadmap...
Paperback
Check
Baseline study of biosaline agriculture and roadmap...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Review of the St. Johns River Water Supply Impact...
Save
Is the developer guide for SaltStack for configuration management and orchestration.
Review of the St. Johns River Water Supply Impact...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Türkiye food literacy strategy and action plan,...
Save
Is the reference manual for SaltStack for configuration management and orchestration.
Türkiye food literacy strategy and action plan,...
Paperback
Check
Türkiye food literacy strategy and action plan,...
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Time
465 hours
Level
Advanced
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
Elle Krout
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Guides students from beginner to advanced Salt use
Helps you gain hands-on experience in Salt's YAML-based data store, called pillar
Teaches you to write efficient Salt states and formulas to efficiently manage infrastructure
Goes into detail about remote execution features
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