Vox Pupuli, a collective of open-source developers, has officially launched OpenVox, an open-source automation framework designed as a direct replacement for Puppet. Announced on January 21, OpenVox aims to provide users with the same commands, configurations, modules, and extensions that Puppet offers, making it an easy transition for those familiar with the original system.
OpenVox as a Puppet Alternative
OpenVox serves as a community-maintained alternative to Puppet, offering nearly identical functionality. However, the maintainers caution that while it mirrors Puppet’s commands and settings, OpenVox has not yet undergone the same rigorous testing standards. Users are encouraged to experiment but remain mindful of potential differences in stability.
Origins and Development of OpenVox
The project originated as a response to Perforce’s decision to cease public packaging efforts for Puppet in late 2024. Overlook Infratech initially mirrored Puppet repositories, ensuring continued access to community packages. This initiative eventually evolved into OpenVox, which Vox Pupuli describes as a “soft fork” designed to maintain compatibility with Puppet for as long as possible.
Governance and Future Plans
To guide OpenVox’s future, Vox Pupuli has established the Puppet Standards Steering Committee. This committee will oversee the project’s feature development and language evolution while fostering collaboration with Perforce. OpenVox’s maintainers remain committed to open-source principles, ensuring that automation professionals have a reliable, community-driven alternative to Puppet.