service resource

Use the service Chef InSpec audit resource to test if the named service is installed, running and/or enabled.

Under some circumstances, it may be necessary to specify the service manager by using one of the following service manager-specific resources: bsd_service, launchd_service, runit_service, systemd_service, sysv_service, or upstart_service. These resources are based on the service resource.

Availability

Installation

This resource is distributed along with Chef InSpec itself. You can use it automatically.

Version

This resource first became available in v1.0.0 of InSpec.

Syntax

A service resource block declares the name of a service and then one (or more) matchers to test the state of the service:

describe service('service_name') do
  it { should be_installed }
  it { should be_enabled }
  it { should be_running }
end

where

('service_name') must specify a service name
be_installed, be_enabled, and be_running are valid matchers for this resource

Examples

The following examples show how to use this Chef InSpec audit resource.

Test if the postgresql service is both running and enabled

describe service('postgresql') do
  it { should be_enabled }
  it { should be_running }
end

Test if the mysql service is both running and enabled

describe service('mysqld') do
  it { should be_enabled }
  it { should be_running }
end

Test if ClamAV (an antivirus engine) is installed and running

describe package('clamav') do
  it { should be_installed }
  its('version') { should eq '0.98.7' }
end

describe service('clamd') do
  it { should_not be_enabled }
  it { should_not be_installed }
  it { should_not be_running }
end

Test Unix System V run levels

On targets that are using SystemV services, the existing run levels can also be checked:

describe service('sshd').runlevels do
  its('keys') { should include(2) }
end

describe service('sshd').runlevels(2,4) do
  it { should be_enabled }
end

Override the service manager

Under some circumstances, it may be required to override the logic in place to select the right service manager. For example, to check a service managed by Upstart:

describe upstart_service('service') do
  it { should_not be_enabled }
  it { should be_installed }
  it { should be_running }
end

This is also possible with systemd_service, runit_service, sysv_service, bsd_service, and launchd_service. Provide the control command when it is not to be found at the default location. For example, if the sv command for services managed by runit is not in the PATH:

describe runit_service('service', '/opt/chef/embedded/sbin/sv') do
  it { should be_enabled }
  it { should be_installed }
  it { should be_running }
end

Verify that IIS is running

describe service('W3SVC') do
  it { should be_installed }
  it { should be_running }
end

Matchers

For a full list of available matchers, please visit our matchers page.

be_enabled

The be_enabled matcher tests if the named service is enabled:

it { should be_enabled }

be_installed

The be_installed matcher tests if the named service is installed:

it { should be_installed }

be_running

The be_running matcher tests if the named service is running:

it { should be_running }