salt/doc/topics/releases/nitrogen.rst

:orphan:

======================================
Salt Release Notes - Codename Nitrogen
======================================

States Added for Management of systemd Unit Masking
===================================================

The :py:func:`service.masked <salt.states.service.masked>` and
:py:func:`service.umasked <salt.states.service.unmasked>` states have been
added to allow Salt to manage masking of systemd units.

Additionally, the following functions in the :mod:`systemd
<salt.modules.systemd>` execution module have changed to accomodate the fact
that indefinite and runtime masks can co-exist for the same unit:

- :py:func:`service.masked <salt.modules.systemd.masked>` - The return from
  this function has changed from previous releases. Before, ``False`` would be
  returned if the unit was not masked, and the output of ``systemctl is-enabled
  <unit name>`` would be returned if the unit was masked. However, since
  indefinite and runtime masks can exist for the same unit at the same time,
  this function has been altered to accept a ``runtime`` argument. If ``True``,
  the minion will be checked for a runtime mask assigned to the named unit. If
  ``False``, then the minion will be checked for an indefinite mask. If one is
  found, ``True`` will be returned. If not, then ``False`` will be returned.
- :py:func:`service.masked <salt.modules.systemd.masked>` - This function used
  to just run ``systemctl is-enabled <unit name>`` and based on the return
  from this function the corresponding mask type would be removed. However, if
  both runtime and indefinite masks are set for the same unit, then ``systemctl
  is-enabled <unit name>`` would show just the indefinite mask. The indefinite
  mask would be removed, but the runtime mask would remain. The function has
  been modified to accept a ``runtime`` argument, and will attempt to remove a
  runtime mask if that argument is set to ``True``. If set to ``False``, it
  will attempt to remove an indefinite mask.

These new ``runtime`` arguments default to ``False``.

Pillar Encryption
=================

Beginning in 2016.3.0 the CLI pillar data passed to several functions could
conditionally be passed through a renderer to be decrypted. This functionality
has now been extended to pillar SLS files as well. See :ref:`here
<pillar-encryption>` for detailed documentation on this feature.

Grains Changes
==============

- The ``osmajorrelease`` grain has been changed from a string to an integer.
  State files, especially those using a templating language like Jinja, may
  need to be adjusted to account for this change.
- Add ability to specify disk backing mode in the VMWare salt cloud profile.

State Module Changes
====================

- The :py:func:`service.running <salt.states.service.running>` and
  :py:func:`service.dead <salt.states.service.dead>` states now support a
  ``no_block`` argument which, when set to ``True`` on systemd minions, will
  start/stop the service using the ``--no-block`` flag in the ``systemctl``
  command. On non-systemd minions, a warning will be issued.

- The :py:func:`module.run <salt.states.module.run>` state has dropped its
  previous syntax with ``m_`` prefix for reserved keywords. Additionally, it
  allows running several functions in a batch.

  .. note::
      It is necessary to explicitly turn on the new behavior (see below)

  .. code-block:: yaml

      # Before
      run_something:
        module.run:
          - name: mymodule.something
          - m_name: 'some name'
          - kwargs: {
            first_arg: 'one',
            second_arg: 'two',
            do_stuff: 'True'
          }

      # After
      run_something:
        module.run:
          mymodule.something:
            - name: some name
            - first_arg: one
            - second_arg: two
            - do_stuff: True


  Since a lot of users are already using :py:func:`module.run
  <salt.states.module.run>` states, this new behavior must currently be
  explicitly turned on, to allow users to take their time updating their SLS
  files. However, please keep in mind that the new syntax will take effect in
  the next feature release of Salt (Oxygen) and the old usage will no longer be
  supported at that time.

  To enable the new behavior for :py:func:`module.run <salt.states.module.run>`,
  add the following to the minion config file:

  .. code-block:: yaml

      use_superseded:
        - module.run


Execution Module Changes
========================

- Several functions in the :mod:`systemd <salt.modules.systemd>` execution
  module have gained a ``no_block`` argument, which when set to ``True`` will
  use ``--no-block`` in the ``systemctl`` command.
- In the :mod:`solarisips <salt.modules.solarisips>` ``pkg`` module, the
  default value for the ``refresh`` argument to the ``list_upgrades`` function
  has been changed from ``False`` to ``True``. This makes the function more
  consistent with all of the other ``pkg`` modules (The other
  ``pkg.list_upgrades`` functions all defaulted to ``True``).
- The functions which handle masking in the :mod:`systemd
  <salt.modules.systemd>` module have changed. These changes are described
  above alongside the information on the new states which have been added to
  manage masking of systemd units.
- The :py:func:`pkg.list_repo_pkgs <salt.modules.yumpkg.list_repo_pkgs>`
  function for yum/dnf-based distros has had its default output format changed.
  In prior releases, results would be organized by repository. Now, the default
  for each package will be a simple list of versions. To get the old behavior,
  pass ``byrepo=True`` to the function.
- A ``pkg.list_repo_pkgs`` function has been added for both
  :py:func:`Debian/Ubuntu <salt.modules.aptpkg.list_repo_pkgs>` and
  :py:func:`Arch Linux <salt.modules.pacman.list_repo_pkgs>`-based distros.


Proxy Module Changes
====================

The :conf_proxy:`proxy_merge_grains_in_module` configuration variable
introduced in 2016.3, has been changed, defaulting to ``True``.

The connection with the remote device is kept alive by default, when the
module implements the ``alive`` function and :conf_proxy:`proxy_keep_alive`
is set to ``True``. The polling interval is set using the
:conf_proxy:`proxy_keep_alive_interval` option which defaults to 1 minute.

The developers are also able to use the :conf_proxy:`proxy_always_alive`,
when designing a proxy module flexible enough to open the
connection with the remote device only when required.


Wildcard Versions in :py:func:`pkg.installed <salt.states.pkg.installed>` States
================================================================================

The :py:func:`pkg.installed <salt.states.pkg.installed>` state now supports
wildcards in package versions, for the following platforms:

- Debian/Ubuntu
- RHEL/CentOS
- Arch Linux

This support also extends to any derivatives of these distros, which use the
:mod:`aptpkg <salt.modules.aptpkg>`, :mod:`yumpkg <salt.modules.yumpkg>`, or
:mod:`pacman <salt.modules.pacman>` providers for the ``pkg`` virtual module.

Using wildcards can be useful for packages where the release name is built into
the version in some way, such as for RHEL/CentOS which typically has version
numbers like ``1.2.34-5.el7``. An example of the usage for this would be:

.. code-block:: yaml

    mypkg:
      pkg.installed:
        - version: '1.2.34*'

- The :mod:`system <salt.modules.system>` module changed the returned format
  from "HH:MM AM/PM" to "HH:MM:SS AM/PM" for `get_system_time`.

Master Configuration Additions
==============================

- :conf_master:`syndic_forward_all_events` - Option on multi-syndic or single
  when connected to multiple masters to be able to send events to all connected
  masters.

- :conf_master:`eauth_acl_module` - In case external auth is enabled master can
  get authenticate and get the authorization list from different auth modules.

- :conf_master:`keep_acl_in_token` - Option that allows master to build ACL once
  for each user being authenticated and keep it in the token.

Minion Configuration Additions
==============================

- :conf_minion:`pillarenv_from_saltenv` - When set to ``True`` (default is
  ``False``), the :conf_minion:`pillarenv` option will take the same value as
  the effective saltenv when running states. This would allow a user to run
  ``salt '*' state.apply mysls saltenv=dev``, and the SLS for both the state
  and pillar data would be sourced from the ``dev`` environment, essentially
  the equivalent of running ``salt '*' state.apply mysls saltenv=dev
  pillarenv=dev``. Note that if :conf_minion:`pillarenv` is set in the minion
  config file, or if ``pillarenv`` is provided on the CLI, it will override
  this option.

Python API Changes
==================

The :ref:`LocalClient <local-client>`'s ``expr_form`` argument has been
deprecated and renamed to ``tgt_type``. This change was made due to numerous
reports of confusion among community members, since the targeting method is
published to minions as ``tgt_type``, and appears as ``tgt_type`` in the job
cache as well.

While ``expr_form`` will continue to be supported until the **Fluorine**
release cycle (two major releases after this one), those who are using the
:ref:`LocalClient <local-client>` (either directly, or implictly via a
:ref:`netapi module <all-netapi-modules>`) are encouraged to update their code
to use ``tgt_type``.


Network Automation
==================

NAPALM
------

Introduced in 2016.11, the modules for cross-vendor network automation
have been improved, enhanced and widenened in scope:

- Manage network devices like servers: the NAPALM modules have been transformed
  so they can run in both proxy and regular minions. That means, if the
  operating system allows, the salt-minion package can be installed directly
  on the network gear. Examples of such devices (also covered by NAPALM)
  include: Arista, Cumulus, Cisco IOS-XR or Cisco Nexus.
- Not always alive: in certain less dynamic environments,
  maintaining the remote connection permanently open with the network device
  is not always beneficial. In those particular cases, the user can select
  to initialize the connection only when needed, by specifying the field
  ``always_alive: false`` in the :mod:`proxy configuration <salt.proxy.napalm>`
  or using the :conf_proxy:`proxy_always_alive` option.
- Proxy keepalive: due to external factors, the connection with the remote
  device can be dropped, e.g.: packet loss, idle time (no commands issued
  within a couple of minutes or seconds), or simply the device decides to kill
  the process. In Nitrogen we have introduced the functionality to re-establish
  the connection. One can disable this feature through the
  :conf_proxy:`proxy_keep_alive` option and adjust the polling frequency
  speciying a custom value for :conf_proxy:`proxy_keep_alive_interval`,
  in minutes.

New modules:

- :mod:`Netconfig state <salt.states.netconfig>` - Manage the configuration
  of network devices using arbitrary templates and the Salt-specific
  advanced templating methodologies.
- :mod:`Network ACL execution module <salt.modules.napalm_acl>` - Generate and
  load ACL (firewall) configuration on network devices.
- :mod:`Network ACL state <salt.states.netacl>` - Manage the firewall
  configuration. It only requires writing the pillar structure correctly!
- :mod:`NAPALM YANG execution module <salt.modules.napalm_yang_mod>` - Parse,
  generate and load native device configuration in a standard way,
  using the OpenConfig/IETF models. This module cotains also helpers for
  the states.
- :mod:`NET finder <salt.runners.net>` - Runner to find details easily and
  fast. It's smart enough to know what you are looking for. It will search
  in the details of the network interfaces, IP addresses, MAC address tables,
  ARP tables and LLDP neighbors.
- :mod:`BGP finder <salt.runners.bgp>` - Runner to search BGP neighbors details.
- :mod:`NAPALM syslog <salt.engines.napalm_syslog>` - Engine to import events
  from the napalm-logs library into the Salt event bus. The events are based
  on the syslog messages from the network devices and structured following
  the OpenConfig/IETF YANG models.

New functions:

- :mod:`Configuration getter <salt.modules.napalm_network.config>` - Return
  the whole configuration of the network device.
- :mod:`Optics getter <salt.modules.napalm_network.optics>` - Fetches
  the power usage on the various transceivers installed on the network device
  (in dBm).

New grains: :mod:`Host <salt.grains.napalm.host>`,
:mod:`Username <salt.grains.napalm.username>` and
:mod:`Optional args <salt.grains.napalm.optional_args>`.


Custom Refspecs in GitFS / git_pillar / winrepo
===============================================

It is now possible to specify the refspecs to use when fetching from remote
repositories for GitFS, git_pillar, and winrepo. More information on how this
feature works can be found :ref:`here <gitfs-custom-refspecs>` in the GitFS
Walkthrough. The git_pillar and winrepo versions of this feature work the same
as their GitFS counterpart.

git_pillar "mountpoints" Feature Added
======================================

See :ref:`here <git-pillar-mountpoints>` for detailed documentation.

Big Improvements to Docker Support
==================================

The old ``docker`` state and execution modules have been moved to
salt-contrib_. The ``dockerng`` execution module has been renamed to
:mod:`docker <salt.modules.docker>` and now serves as Salt's official Docker
execution module.

The old ``dockerng`` state module has been split into 4 state modules:

- :mod:`docker_container <salt.states.docker_container>` - States to manage
  Docker containers
- :mod:`docker_image <salt.states.docker_image>` - States to manage Docker
  images
- :mod:`docker_volume <salt.states.docker_volume>` - States to manage
  Docker volumes
- :mod:`docker_network <salt.states.docker_network>` - States to manage
  Docker networks

The reason for this change was to make states and requisites more clear. For
example, imagine this SLS:

.. code-block:: yaml

    myuser/appimage:
      docker.image_present:
        - sls: docker.images.appimage

    myapp:
      docker.running:
        - image: myuser/appimage
        - require:
          - docker: myuser/appimage

The new syntax would be:

.. code-block:: yaml

    myuser/appimage:
      docker_image.present:
        - sls: docker.images.appimage

    myapp:
      docker_container.running:
        - image: myuser/appimage
        - require:
          - docker_image: myuser/appimage

This is similar to how Salt handles MySQL, MongoDB, Zabbix, and other cases
where the same execution module is used to manage several different kinds
of objects (users, databases, roles, etc.).

The old syntax will continue to work until the **Fluorine** release of Salt.
The old ``dockerng`` naming will also continue to work until that release, so
no immediate changes need to be made to your SLS files (unless you were still
using the old docker states that have been moved to salt-contrib_).

The :py:func:`docker_container.running <salt.states.docker_container.running>`
state has undergone a significant change in how it determines whether or not a
container needs to be replaced. Rather than comparing individual arguments to
their corresponding values in the named container, a temporary container is
created (but not started) using the passed arguments. The two containers are
then compared to each other to determine whether or not there are changes, and
if so, the old container is stopped and destroyed, and the temporary container
is renamed and started.

Salt still needs to translate arguments into the format which docker-py
expects, but if it does not properly do so, the :ref:`skip_translate
<docker-container-running-skip-translate>` argument can be used to skip input
translation on an argument-by-argument basis, and you can then format your SLS
file to pass the data in the format that the docker-py expects. This allows you
to work around any changes in Docker's API or issues with the input
translation, and continue to manage your Docker containers using Salt. Read the
documentation for :ref:`skip_translate
<docker-container-running-skip-translate>` for more information.

.. note::
    When running the :py:func:`docker_container.running
    <salt.states.docker_container.running>` state for the first time after
    upgrading to Nitrogen, your container(s) may be replaced. The changes may
    show diffs for certain parameters which say that the old value was an empty
    string, and the new value is ``None``. This is due to the fact that in
    prior releases Salt was passing empty strings for these values when
    creating the container if they were undefined in the SLS file, where now
    Salt simply does not pass any arguments not explicitly defined in the SLS
    file. Subsequent runs of the state should not replace the container if the
    configuration remains unchanged.

.. _salt-contrib: https://github.com/saltstack/salt-contrib

New SSH Cache Roster
====================

The :mod:`SSH cache Roster <salt.roster.cache>` has been rewritten from scratch to increase its usefulness.
The new roster supports all minion matchers,
so it is now possible to target minions identically through `salt` and `salt-ssh`.

Using the new ``roster_order`` configuration syntax it's now possible to compose a roster out of any combination
of grains, pillar and mine data and even Salt SDB URLs.
The new release is also fully IPv4 and IPv6 enabled and even has support for CIDR ranges.

Deprecations
============

General Deprecations
--------------------

- Removed support for aliasing ``cmd.run`` to ``cmd.shell``.
- Removed support for Dulwich from :ref:`GitFS <tutorial-gitfs>`.
- Beacon configurations should be lists instead of dictionaries.
- The ``PidfileMixin`` has been removed. Please use ``DaemonMixIn`` instead.
- The ``use_pending`` argument was removed from the ``salt.utils.event.get_event``
  function.
- The ``pending_tags`` argument was removed from the ``salt.utils.event.get_event``
  function.

Configuration Option Deprecations
---------------------------------

- The ``client_acl`` configuration option has been removed. Please use
  ``publisher_acl`` instead.
- The ``client_acl_blacklist`` configuration option has been removed.
  Please use ``publisher_acl_blacklist`` instead.
- The ``win_gitrepos`` configuration option has been removed. Please use
  the ``winrepo_remotes`` option instead.
- The ``win_repo`` configuration option has been removed. Please use
  ``winrepo_dir`` instead.
- The ``win_repo_mastercachefile`` configuration option has been removed.
  Please use the ``winrepo_cachefile`` option instead.

Module Deprecations
-------------------

The ``git`` execution module had the following changes:

- The ``fmt`` argument was removed from the ``archive`` function. Please
  use ``format`` instead.
- The ``repository`` argument was removed from the ``clone`` function.
  Please use ``url`` instead.
- The ``is_global`` argument was removed from the ``config_set`` function.
  Please use ``global`` instead.
- The ``branch`` argument was removed from the ``merge`` function. Please
  use ``rev`` instead.
- The ``branch`` argument was removed from the ``push`` function. Please
  use ``rev`` instead.

The ``glusterfs`` execution module had the following functions removed:

- ``create``: Please use ``create_volume`` instead.
- ``delete``: Please use ``delete_volume`` instead.
-  ``list_peers``: Please use ``peer_status`` instead.

The ``htpasswd`` execution module had the following function removed:

- ``useradd_all``: Please use ``useradd`` instead.

The ``img`` execution module has been removed. All of its associated functions
were marked for removal in the Nitrogen release. The functions removed in this
module are mapped as follows:

- ``mount_image``/``mnt_image``: Please use ``mount.mount`` instead.
- ``umount_image``: Please use ``mount.umount`` instead.
- ``bootstrap``: Please use ``genesis.bootstrap`` instead.

The ``smartos_virt`` execution module had the following functions removed:

- ``create``: Please use ``start`` instead.
- ``destroy`` Please use ``stop`` instead.
- ``list_vms``: Please use ``list_domains`` instead.

The ``virt`` execution module had the following functions removed:

- ``create``: Please use ``start`` instead.
- ``destroy`` Please use ``stop`` instead.
- ``list_vms``: Please use ``list_domains`` instead.

The ``virtualenv_mod`` execution module had the following changes:

- The ``package_or_requirement`` argument was removed from both the
  ``get_resource_path`` and the ``get_resource_content`` functions.
  Please use ``package`` instead.
- The ``resource_name`` argument was removed from both the
  ``get_resource_path`` and ``get_resource_content`` functions.
  Please use ``resource`` instead.

The ``win_repo`` execution module had the following changes:

- The ``win_repo_source_dir`` option was removed from the ``win_repo``
  module. Please use ``winrepo_source_dir`` instead.

The ``xapi`` execution module had the following functions removed:

- ``create``: Please use ``start`` instead.
- ``destroy``: Please use ``stop`` instead.
- ``list_vms``: Please use ``list_domains`` instead.

The ``zypper`` execution module had the following function removed:

- ``info``: Please use ``info_available`` instead.

Pillar Deprecations
-------------------

- Support for the ``raw_data`` argument for the file_tree ext_pillar has been
  removed. Please use ``keep_newline`` instead.
- SQLite3 database connection configuration previously had keys under
  pillar. This legacy compatibility has been removed.

Proxy Minion Deprecations
-------------------------

- The ``proxy_merge_grains_in_module`` default has been switched from
  ``False`` to ``True``.

Salt-API Deprecations
---------------------

- The ``SaltAPI.run()`` function has been removed. Please use the
  ``SaltAPI.start()`` function instead.

Salt-Cloud Deprecations
-----------------------

- Support for using the keyword ``provider`` in salt-cloud provider config
  files has been removed. Please use ``driver`` instead. The ``provider``
  keyword should now only be used in cloud profile config files.

Salt-SSH Deprecations
---------------------

- The ``wipe_ssh`` option for ``salt-ssh`` has been removed. Please use the
  ``ssh_wipe`` option instead.

State Deprecations
------------------

The ``apache_conf`` state had the following functions removed:

  - ``disable``: Please use ``disabled`` instead.
  - ``enable``: Please use ``enabled`` instead.

The ``apache_module`` state had the following functions removed:

  - ``disable``: Please use ``disabled`` instead.
  - ``enable``: Please use ``enabled`` instead.

The ``apache_site`` state had the following functions removed:

  - ``disable``: Please use ``disabled`` instead.
  - ``enable``: Please use ``enabled`` instead.

The ``chocolatey`` state had the following functions removed:

  - ``install``: Please use ``installed`` instead.
  - ``uninstall``: Please use ``uninstalled`` instead.

The ``git`` state had the following changes:

  - The ``config`` function was removed. Please use ``config_set`` instead.
  - The ``is_global`` option was removed from the ``config_set`` function.
    Please use ``global`` instead.
  - The ``always_fetch`` option was removed from the ``latest`` function, as
    it no longer has any effect. Please see the :ref:`2015.8.0<release-2015-8-0>`
    release notes for more information.
  - The ``force`` option was removed from the ``latest`` function. Please
    use ``force_clone`` instead.
  - The ``remote_name`` option was removed from the ``latest`` function.
    Please use ``remote`` instead.

The ``glusterfs`` state had the following function removed:

  - ``created``: Please use ``volume_present`` instead.

The ``openvswitch_port`` state had the following change:

  - The ``type`` option was removed from the ``present`` function. Please use ``tunnel_type`` instead.