Puppet is a class-leading automation tool which allows rapid but well controlled changes to your server estate and configuration.

Using it, your system administrator(s) will be able to automate the many tasks that can consume time and often rely on accurate input of critical settings. Using it well depends on automating the right things and learning the basic capabilities. So although you can get hold of Puppet easily enough, it can be tricky to put the correct structure in place and give you a gentle introduction to the process.

Our quickstart introduction to Puppet takes you through the first steps and sets you on the road to independence. We'll visit you on site to guide your system administrators through the whole process and they can learn from our wide experience.

The fixed-fee package (£3,500 +VAT) covers:

• Puppet rollout
  • Inclusion into operating system build technologies
  • Strategies for multiple environments
  • Control of production environments
• Puppet modules - writing some Puppet modules with your team

By the end of just one week you will have:

• A working Puppet setup with a Puppetmaster and several Puppet clients
• A collection of modules to configure your servers:
  • Puppet configuration
  • Package repositories
  • Time synchronisation (NTP)
  • Basic network setup
  • Root login files
  • Monitoring (via SNMP)
• An action plan towards achieving server nirvana

Call us to discuss how Puppet could pay for itself within a few server changes.

Requirements

A minimum of one server to perform Puppetmaster role. A small number of servers to introduce into a test Puppet environment is highly encouraged.

Operating systems currently supported:

• Debian - Etch (4.x)^†, Lenny (5.x)
• Ubuntu Hardy LTS (8.04) (other versions as requested)
• Redhat Enterprise 4^†, 5
• CentOS 4^†, 5

† Not supported as a Puppetmaster, only as a Puppet client.