PuppetConf 2014

Puppet is easy to use and understand for modeling a desired configuration state within the bounds of a single system. For multitier applications however, or configuration involving data and content distributed between variable numbers of systems and tiers, the modeling gets more complex.

This talk will use Puppet Labs Professional Services’ implementation of a flexible-architecture Puppet Enterprise deployment as a case study to talk specifically about:

* Minimizing required configuration input for multitier apps
* Using Puppet to model variable size app tiers of expandable and contractible size
* Art of the Possible and constraints to be aware of when using only pure Puppet and its eventual consistency configuration model

The intended audience is advanced Puppet users interested in pushing Puppet to today’s multitier limits. The talk will incorporate specific code examples and a full working implementation of a Puppetized mulitier app. It will be accessible to general Puppet practitioners looking for an art-of-the-possible level understanding.