Investigating Configuration Management Tools Usage in Large Infrastructure

Abstract

The large variety of configuration management (CM) tools available makes it difficult for the customers to select the appropriate one for their needs. Thus this research investigated the users’ perception of CM tools in order to gain information useful for customers and CM tool developers. In total 72 system administrators were sampled and qualitative data was collected through structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to find the best CM tool according to selected criteria. The most desired deployment properties were installability, configurability, scalability and stability and the most appreciated specification management properties were language, access control, monitoring and testing properties. Another important factor was whether the CM tool vendors provided good customer support. However, on the basis of people’s perception CFEngine was the best tool to use in large infrastructure.