puppet

Execute a Puppet subcommand

$ puppet [subcommand]

$ puppet --version

$ puppet --help

$ puppet help [subcommand]

puppet command [options]

agent
    Runs the puppet agent, which applies configurations from the Puppet master.

apply manifest
    Applies a single manifest file directly, without using a Puppet master.

catalog
    Subcommands related to catalogs, such as compiling, diffing, or retrieving.

ca
    Performs certificate authority (CA) functions for Puppet's SSL infrastructure.

config
    Manages Puppet's configuration settings.

module
    Manages Puppet modules (install, uninstall, search).

resource
    Displays or manages resources on a system.

node
    Interacts with node definitions.

parser
    Subcommands related to catalog parsing.

--version
    Displays the Puppet version.

--help
    Displays help information for the puppet command and its subcommands.

The puppet command is a powerful tool for automating the management of system configurations. It allows you to define the desired state of your infrastructure as code, and then automatically enforce and maintain that state across all your managed nodes.

Puppet utilizes a declarative language to describe the desired configuration of resources, such as packages, files, services, and users. These descriptions are organized into manifests, which are then applied to the target systems. The puppet agent, running on each managed node, fetches the configuration from the puppet master, compiles it, and applies the necessary changes to bring the system into the desired state.

Puppet provides features like idempotency, meaning that applying the same configuration multiple times will only make changes if necessary, ensuring consistency and preventing unintended modifications. It also offers centralized management, allowing you to control the configuration of hundreds or thousands of nodes from a single point.

Puppet requires careful planning and configuration, especially in large environments. Incorrectly configured manifests can lead to unintended system changes. Understanding Puppet's DSL and resource types is crucial for effective use.

Puppet works by abstracting the complexity of system administration through a Resource Abstraction Layer (RAL). This allows you to describe the desired state of resources (e.g., files, packages, services) in a platform-independent way. Puppet then translates these abstract descriptions into platform-specific commands to achieve the desired state.

A key feature of Puppet is idempotency. Applying the same Puppet code multiple times will only result in changes if the system is not already in the desired state. This ensures that applying Puppet code does not cause unintended side effects.

Puppet was originally created by Luke Kanies in 2005 to automate system administration tasks. Over time, it has evolved into a widely used configuration management tool, with significant contributions from the open-source community and commercial support from Puppet, Inc. Initially focused on Unix-like systems, it has expanded to support Windows and other platforms. The development has centered around improving scalability, ease of use, and integration with other DevOps tools.

facter(1), hiera(1)