Normation provides training courses in Europe and the USA on the subject of the configuration management tool CFEngine 3, on behalf of it's editor, CFEngine AS.

All courses are given by a trainer who is a recognized CFEngine expert and has received training certification from CFEngine AS.

Courses are given in small groups (no more than 10 trainees) and alternate between theoretical presentations to the whole class and hands-on practical exercises, which allow for individual interaction between trainees and the trainer. These interactions make sure everyone is on the same page, and can be used to go deeper into specific subjects on request of individual trainees.

For more information please contact CFEngine AS.

Configuration management and CFEngine architecture (half day)

This non-technical introductory morning will provide attendees with an understanding of the aims, advantages and constraints of configuration management in modern IT environments, CFEngine's role in this field, and will provide key points for planning and driving successful adoption.

• Topics covered:
  • What is configuration management? (definition, advantages and constraints)
  • CFEngine architecture (agents, configuration distribution, configuration references)
  • The "desired state" approach (making promises, converging to that state, differences with the procedural approach)
• Requirements: To benefit from this course, a basic understanding of modern IT architectures and application deployment is necessary. No hands-on technical skills are required.
• Pricing: 250 € or $390 per attendee

CFEngine Fundamentals (2 days)

This course starts with the above half-day presentation, then moves on to technical, hands-on training covering basic CFEngine installation, syntax and features through examples. At the end of the course, attendees will have an understanding and recommended best practices for designing a CFEngine-based configuration management system, including client-server mode.

• Topics covered:
  • Installation and components
  • CFEngine 3 language: basic syntax and modularity
  • File editing, package management and process management
  • Promise modularity
• Requirements: Attendees are expected to be familiar with command-line Linux/UNIX utilities and basic system administration tasks (installation software, setting up networking, etc). Each attendee will be asked to bring a personal laptop (in some cases extra laptops may be provided).
• Pricing: 990 € or $1490 per attendee

CFEngine Industrialization (Fundamentals + 1 day)

This course is intended to complete the basic training of the above 2 day course. It moves on from elementary examples to real-world requirements, including complex parameters, reporting, interaction with other tools and planning changes.

• Topics covered:
  • Advanced classes and variables as conditions and parameters
  • Client-server communication
  • Advanced file management
  • Interoperability and extensions
  • Change management
  • Logging and reporting
• Requirements: This course is an add-on to the "CFEngine Fundamentals" course above. Requirements are the same, and attendees must have taken the above course.
• Pricing:
  • 1490 € or $2250 per attendee (for the full 3 day course)

A detailed programme of all courses is available on request.