Puppet is a configuration management and deployment tool that acts as a safety net when IT infrastructure outgrows SysAdmin teams. Ensuring all IT systems are maintained consistently, Puppet permits users to deploy multiple servers with identical specs and thresholds -- machine-like efficiency humans can rarely match. As a deployment tool, the Puppet can deploy applications, services, and software on nodes automatically. Puppet implements “Infrastructure as code,” coding an IT organization’s policies, tasks, instructions, and others. The tool is a valuable resource for growing IT teams in even faster-growing businesses.

Let's begin this Puppet tutorial by understanding why exactly consider using Puppet.

Why Use Puppet?

Multinational organizations are complex and decentralized. Any team of system administrators maintaining IT infrastructure (data centers, server centers, and related systems) within an organization will eventually reach critical mass. This happens when the company’s IT needs to exceed the team’s resources. Barring budget and headcount adjustments, this leaves IT leaders at an impasse.

Here Puppet comes in, enabling smaller teams to accomplish more tasks through advanced automation. Data and server center updates can occur in seconds. The fallout from server failures is mitigated as Puppet can instantly roll back to previous working states. Puppet eases deployment hassles with on-demand server deployments and enforced security. It’s all enabled via simple Ruby scripts.

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The next aspect of this puppet tutorial is about understanding puppet architecture.

Puppet Architecture

Built on a master-slave architecture comprising a Puppet-master and Puppet-client, multiple clients may connect to the Puppet-master, where coding is written and stored. If the client requires configuration codes, he simply requests them.

This illustrates the components of Puppet architecture:

Puppet Architecture

Manifests is the first sub-competent of the Puppet-master, where Ruby code is written. Modules tie manifests, templates, and files into a single unit. These codes dictate the instructions for performing various tasks for the client.

Templates, the next component, constitute the data. For instance, if a user wished to create a file called index.html on one of the client machines, that user could write the code in the manifest. The file’s content is written in the templates. By linking the manifests and templates, files are sent to the client for downloads.

The certificate authority (CA) is a critical Puppet master component. Puppet-master and the Puppet client communicate through an exchange of SSL certificates; when the client sends the certificate to the master, CA provides the master authority to sign the certificates. Once the master signs a certificate, it confirms the client is registered and grants authority to exchange data.

The agent component is solely responsible for communication between the master and the client. The factor component collects all data on the client’s present state then sends it to the Puppet-master. Data is compared against the manifest, which is sent to the client (depending on the comparison results).

Now that we have learned about the puppet architecture in this puppet tutorial, let's take a look at the working of the puppet.

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The Working of Puppet

In a scenario with a master and three clients, each component identifies itself to the others, forming an encrypted channel of communication. All data is transferred between the master client flows through this channel.

The SSL (Secure Socket Layer) Certificates are at the core of this procedure. The certificates ensure data passing through an encrypted channel is inaccessible to outside systems.

An example of this process:

Working of Puppet

Working of Puppet Based on fact Sent

Based on the information sent, master compiles manifests into catalogs, then sends them to the client. Agents execute any required changes and send reports back to the master. If a system fails, the master has a record of all system changes for a rollback to a previous working state. This procedure can be repeated at regular intervals -- automatic settings to run every 30 minutes, for instance.

How good is your knowledge of automating IT infrastructures using Puppet? Well try answering these Puppet Certification Exam Dumps and find out!

To get an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the Puppet including the Puppet configuration management tool, check out the following puppet tutorial video or devops engineer course to begin from the basics -

Learn More

Now that you have got the basic understanding of Puppet in this puppet tutorial, get a thorough understanding of Puppet by enrolling in an accredited certification course. Simplilearn’s Puppet Foundation Training Course or Devops Bootcamp provides students with the skills to implement scalable software solutions. This convenient, flexible program allows students to learn at their own pace and on their schedules.

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