Chef Server user passwords

Chef Infra (archive)
1

Correct me if I am wrong but my understanding is that typical interactions with Chef Server are authenticated using the private keys generated by Chef Server. For example, when using knife or more generally when a user or node interacts with the Chef Server API.

My question is what are the uses of the password that you must specify when creating a new user? I assume it is used for logging into the Chef Manage UI, but not sure if there are any other uses.

2

Ben,

That is correct. Passwords are used for interacting with the Manage UI.
All other actions are handled through the API which uses key-pairs.

Additionally, Chef Analytics uses the username/passwords setup in Chef
Server. So that UI also links to it.

3

Thanks, Galen, that’s useful to know!