Puppet

Puppet is a declarative configuration management platform focused on policy-driven infrastructure consistency.

Core model

  • Uses manifests and modules to define desired system state.
  • Typically follows a server-agent architecture.
  • Applies desired state continuously based on configured intervals.

Strengths

  • Mature policy model and rich ecosystem for standardized operations.
  • Strong fit for long-lived infrastructure with strict compliance controls.
  • Deterministic state enforcement for managed nodes.

Trade-offs

  • Higher learning curve for its DSL and ecosystem conventions.
  • Can feel heavyweight for small or highly dynamic environments.