# How bootstrap works ....?

**URL:** <https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034>\
**Category:** Chef Infra (archive)\
**Created:** [December 8, 2014, 7:28am UTC](https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034 "2014-12-08T07:28:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Malli\_Pulla\_Reddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@Malli\_Pulla\_Reddy](https://discourse.chef.io/u/Malli_Pulla_Reddy)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 7:28am UTC](https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034/1 "2014-12-08T07:28:32Z")

</div>

Ohai everyone

Can someone explain how bootstrap works…?

when I run knife bootstrap 172.1.1.1 -sudo -x -P , from where it will run chef-full.erb chef server or workstation…? in my case it is running from workstation.  
I’m using open source chef server 12.

Regards,  
PullaReddy  
TechOps

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**Author:** ![Ranjib](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.chef.io/ranjib/32/1040_2.png) [@Ranjib](https://discourse.chef.io/u/Ranjib)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 7:56am UTC](https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034/2 "2014-12-08T07:56:00Z")

</div>

The template (chef-full.erb) is rendered on your workstation(or the server  
from which bootstrap command is invoked) which gives a giant bash script,  
which then executed over ssh against the remote node(one being bootstrapped)  
On Dec 8, 2014 12:59 PM, "Malli Pulla Reddy" [mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com) wrote:

> Ohai everyone
> 
> Can someone explain how bootstrap works..?
> 
> when I run knife bootstrap 172.1.1.1 -sudo -x -P , from where  
> it will run chef-full.erb chef server or workstation..? in my case it is  
> running from workstation.
> 
> I'm using open source chef server 12.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> PullaReddy
> 
> TechOps

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Malli\_Pulla\_Reddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@Malli\_Pulla\_Reddy](https://discourse.chef.io/u/Malli_Pulla_Reddy)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:31am UTC](https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034/3 "2014-12-08T08:31:39Z")

</div>

Got it!! but I don’t want to use template(default) which is available in workstation. My requirement is eve time when I run bootstrap it should pull chef-full.erb from server is it possible …?

From: Ranjib Dey [[mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com](mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com)]  
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 1:26 PM  
To: [chef@lists.opscode.com](mailto:chef@lists.opscode.com)  
Subject: [chef] Re: How bootstrap works …?

The template (chef-full.erb) is rendered on your workstation(or the server from which bootstrap command is invoked) which gives a giant bash script, which then executed over ssh against the remote node(one being bootstrapped)  
On Dec 8, 2014 12:59 PM, “Malli Pulla Reddy” \<[mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com)[mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com)\> wrote:  
Ohai everyone

Can someone explain how bootstrap works…?

when I run knife bootstrap 172.1.1.1 -sudo -x -P , from where it will run chef-full.erb chef server or workstation…? in my case it is running from workstation.  
I’m using open source chef server 12.

Regards,  
PullaReddy  
TechOps

---

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**Author:** ![Matt\_Ray\_GETCHEF](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.chef.io/matt_ray_getchef/32/180_2.png) [@Matt\_Ray\_GETCHEF](https://discourse.chef.io/u/Matt_Ray_GETCHEF)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034/4 "2014-12-08T16:37:35Z")

</div>

When you use bootstrap you may pass a -t option to use a custom  
bootstrap script. I don't believe it will take a URL, but you could  
use a custom script to pull another server-side script down if  
necessary.

> **[knife bootstrap](https://docs.chef.io/workstation/knife_bootstrap/)**
>
> A node is any physical, virtual, or cloud device that is configured and maintained by an instance of Chef Infra Client.

Thanks,  
Matt Ray  
Director of Partner Integration :: Chef  
[matt@chef.io](mailto:matt@chef.io) :: 512.731.2218  
mattray :: GitHub :: IRC :: Twitter

On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 2:31 AM, Malli Pulla Reddy  
[mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com) wrote:

> Got it!! but I don't want to use template(default) which is available in  
> workstation. My requirement is eve time when I run bootstrap it should pull  
> chef-full.erb from server is it possible ..?
> 
> From: Ranjib Dey [[mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com](mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com)]  
> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 1:26 PM  
> To: [chef@lists.opscode.com](mailto:chef@lists.opscode.com)  
> Subject: [chef] Re: How bootstrap works ....?
> 
> The template (chef-full.erb) is rendered on your workstation(or the server  
> from which bootstrap command is invoked) which gives a giant bash script,  
> which then executed over ssh against the remote node(one being bootstrapped)
> 
> On Dec 8, 2014 12:59 PM, "Malli Pulla Reddy" [mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com) wrote:
> 
> Ohai everyone
> 
> Can someone explain how bootstrap works..?
> 
> when I run knife bootstrap 172.1.1.1 -sudo -x -P , from where  
> it will run chef-full.erb chef server or workstation..? in my case it is  
> running from workstation.
> 
> I'm using open source chef server 12.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> PullaReddy
> 
> TechOps

---

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**Author:** ![Martin\_Cleaver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Martin\_Cleaver](https://discourse.chef.io/u/Martin_Cleaver)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034/5 "2014-12-08T16:49:21Z")

</div>

## It would be nice if it would take a URL...

Martin Cleaver  
Blended Perspectives

On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 11:37 AM, Matt Ray [matt@getchef.com](mailto:matt@getchef.com) wrote:

> When you use bootstrap you may pass a -t option to use a custom  
> bootstrap script. I don't believe it will take a URL, but you could  
> use a custom script to pull another server-side script down if  
> necessary.  
> [knife bootstrap](https://docs.chef.io/knife_bootstrap.html)
> 
> Thanks,  
> Matt Ray  
> Director of Partner Integration :: Chef  
> [matt@chef.io](mailto:matt@chef.io) :: 512.731.2218  
> mattray :: GitHub :: IRC :: Twitter
> 
> On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 2:31 AM, Malli Pulla Reddy  
> [mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com) wrote:
> 
> > Got it!! but I don't want to use template(default) which is available in  
> > workstation. My requirement is eve time when I run bootstrap it should  
> > pull  
> > chef-full.erb from server is it possible ..?
> > 
> > From: Ranjib Dey [[mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com](mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com)]  
> > Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 1:26 PM  
> > To: [chef@lists.opscode.com](mailto:chef@lists.opscode.com)  
> > Subject: [chef] Re: How bootstrap works ....?
> > 
> > The template (chef-full.erb) is rendered on your workstation(or the  
> > server  
> > from which bootstrap command is invoked) which gives a giant bash script,  
> > which then executed over ssh against the remote node(one being  
> > bootstrapped)
> > 
> > On Dec 8, 2014 12:59 PM, "Malli Pulla Reddy" [mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com)  
> > wrote:
> > 
> > Ohai everyone
> > 
> > Can someone explain how bootstrap works..?
> > 
> > when I run knife bootstrap 172.1.1.1 -sudo -x -P , from  
> > where  
> > it will run chef-full.erb chef server or workstation..? in my case it is  
> > running from workstation.
> > 
> > I'm using open source chef server 12.
> > 
> > Regards,
> > 
> > PullaReddy
> > 
> > TechOps

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kenneth\_Barry1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cc9497/32.png) [@Kenneth\_Barry1](https://discourse.chef.io/u/Kenneth_Barry1)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034/6 "2014-12-08T17:13:06Z")

</div>

Has anyone confirmed that it will NOT accept a URL? If so, think we can get  
that added to the page linked above?

On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 8:49 AM, Martin Cleaver [mrjcleaver2@gmail.com](mailto:mrjcleaver2@gmail.com)  
wrote:

> ## It would be nice if it would take a URL...
> 
> Martin Cleaver  
> Blended Perspectives
> 
> On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 11:37 AM, Matt Ray [matt@getchef.com](mailto:matt@getchef.com) wrote:
> 
> > When you use bootstrap you may pass a -t option to use a custom  
> > bootstrap script. I don't believe it will take a URL, but you could  
> > use a custom script to pull another server-side script down if  
> > necessary.  
> > [knife bootstrap](https://docs.chef.io/knife_bootstrap.html)
> > 
> > Thanks,  
> > Matt Ray  
> > Director of Partner Integration :: Chef  
> > [matt@chef.io](mailto:matt@chef.io) :: 512.731.2218  
> > mattray :: GitHub :: IRC :: Twitter
> > 
> > On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 2:31 AM, Malli Pulla Reddy  
> > [mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com) wrote:
> > 
> > > Got it!! but I don't want to use template(default) which is available in  
> > > workstation. My requirement is eve time when I run bootstrap it should  
> > > pull  
> > > chef-full.erb from server is it possible ..?
> > > 
> > > From: Ranjib Dey [[mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com](mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com)]  
> > > Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 1:26 PM  
> > > To: [chef@lists.opscode.com](mailto:chef@lists.opscode.com)  
> > > Subject: [chef] Re: How bootstrap works ....?
> > > 
> > > The template (chef-full.erb) is rendered on your workstation(or the  
> > > server  
> > > from which bootstrap command is invoked) which gives a giant bash  
> > > script,  
> > > which then executed over ssh against the remote node(one being  
> > > bootstrapped)
> > > 
> > > On Dec 8, 2014 12:59 PM, "Malli Pulla Reddy" [mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com)  
> > > wrote:
> > > 
> > > Ohai everyone
> > > 
> > > Can someone explain how bootstrap works..?
> > > 
> > > when I run knife bootstrap 172.1.1.1 -sudo -x -P , from  
> > > where  
> > > it will run chef-full.erb chef server or workstation..? in my case it  
> > > is  
> > > running from workstation.
> > > 
> > > I'm using open source chef server 12.
> > > 
> > > Regards,
> > > 
> > > PullaReddy
> > > 
> > > TechOps

--

Kenneth Barry  
TuneIn | Build and Release Engineer  
M: 409-673-0544

> **[TuneIn | Free Internet Radio | Live News, Sports, Music, Audiobooks, and...](https://tunein.com/)**
>
> Listen to free internet radio, news, sports, music, audiobooks, and podcasts. Stream live CNN, FOX News Radio, and MSNBC. Plus 100,000 AM/FM radio stations featuring music, news, and local sports talk.

---

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**Author:** ![werebus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.chef.io/werebus/32/24_2.png) [@werebus](https://discourse.chef.io/u/werebus)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://discourse.chef.io/t/how-bootstrap-works/6034/7 "2014-12-08T20:06:55Z")

</div>

At least from my reading of the source  
[https://github.com/opscode/chef/blob/master/lib/chef/knife/bootstrap.rb#L197-L246](https://github.com/opscode/chef/blob/master/lib/chef/knife/bootstrap.rb#L197-L246),  
it does not, no. I notice that there _is_ an option called --bootstrap-url,  
but that appears to simply be a way to tell the “chef-full” template an  
alternate location for [https://www.opscode.com/chef/install.sh](https://www.opscode.com/chef/install.sh)

Matt Moretti

On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 12:13 PM, Kenneth Barry [kbarry@tunein.com](mailto:kbarry@tunein.com) wrote:

Has anyone confirmed that it will NOT accept a URL? If so, think we can get

> that added to the page linked above?
> 
> On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 8:49 AM, Martin Cleaver [mrjcleaver2@gmail.com](mailto:mrjcleaver2@gmail.com)  
> wrote:
> 
> > ## It would be nice if it would take a URL...
> > 
> > Martin Cleaver  
> > Blended Perspectives
> > 
> > On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 11:37 AM, Matt Ray [matt@getchef.com](mailto:matt@getchef.com) wrote:
> > 
> > > When you use bootstrap you may pass a -t option to use a custom  
> > > bootstrap script. I don't believe it will take a URL, but you could  
> > > use a custom script to pull another server-side script down if  
> > > necessary.  
> > > [knife bootstrap](https://docs.chef.io/knife_bootstrap.html)
> > > 
> > > Thanks,  
> > > Matt Ray  
> > > Director of Partner Integration :: Chef  
> > > [matt@chef.io](mailto:matt@chef.io) :: 512.731.2218  
> > > mattray :: GitHub :: IRC :: Twitter
> > > 
> > > On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 2:31 AM, Malli Pulla Reddy  
> > > [mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com) wrote:
> > > 
> > > > Got it!! but I don't want to use template(default) which is available  
> > > > in  
> > > > workstation. My requirement is eve time when I run bootstrap it should  
> > > > pull  
> > > > chef-full.erb from server is it possible ..?
> > > > 
> > > > From: Ranjib Dey [[mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com](mailto:dey.ranjib@gmail.com)]  
> > > > Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 1:26 PM  
> > > > To: [chef@lists.opscode.com](mailto:chef@lists.opscode.com)  
> > > > Subject: [chef] Re: How bootstrap works ....?
> > > > 
> > > > The template (chef-full.erb) is rendered on your workstation(or the  
> > > > server  
> > > > from which bootstrap command is invoked) which gives a giant bash  
> > > > script,  
> > > > which then executed over ssh against the remote node(one being  
> > > > bootstrapped)
> > > > 
> > > > On Dec 8, 2014 12:59 PM, "Malli Pulla Reddy" [mpreddy@jamcracker.com](mailto:mpreddy@jamcracker.com)  
> > > > wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > Ohai everyone
> > > > 
> > > > Can someone explain how bootstrap works..?
> > > > 
> > > > when I run knife bootstrap 172.1.1.1 -sudo -x -P , from  
> > > > where  
> > > > it will run chef-full.erb chef server or workstation..? in my case it  
> > > > is  
> > > > running from workstation.
> > > > 
> > > > I'm using open source chef server 12.
> > > > 
> > > > Regards,
> > > > 
> > > > PullaReddy
> > > > 
> > > > TechOps
> 
> --
> 
> Kenneth Barry  
> TuneIn | Build and Release Engineer  
> M: 409-673-0544  
> [www.tunein.com](http://www.tunein.com)

​