attributes-sysctl.rb

sysctl Mash.new unless attribute?("sysctl")

default.rb

execute "sysctl" do
  command "sysctl -n -e -q -p"
  action :nothing
end

template "/etc/sysctl.conf" do
  source "sysctl.conf.erb"
  mode 0644
  owner "root"
  group "root"
  variables( :sysctl => node[:sysctl] )
  notifies :run, resources(:execute => "sysctl")
end

sysctl.conf.erb

# Managed by chef
<% if @sysctl.length > 0 %>
<% @sysctl.each do |k,v| %>
<%= k %> = <%= v %>
<% end %>
<% end %>

sysctl.rb

define :sysctl do
  key = params[:name]
  @node[:sysctl][key] = params[:value]
end