= Puppet =

May First/People Link uses [http://www.puppetlabs.com/ puppet] to manage our network of servers. 

With puppet, we can write a collection of puppet configuration files (aka manifests), including specific instructions for each server in our network. Typically, these configuration files are kept in a revision control system like git. puppet runs on each server, reads the configuration files, develops a catalog of all instructions intended for the server on which it is running, and then it executes that catalog, applying all the directions.

== checking out the code ==

Anyone can [wiki:puppet/checkout checkout our puppet files] read-only. Members of the [wiki:support-team support team] can checkout read/write copies. Checking out the code is the first step to familiarizing yourself with our puppet setup.

== understanding the code ==

We have taken a non-traditional approach deploying puppet. You will need to read our [wiki:puppet/layout explanation of how our puppet code is organized and deployed].

== setting up a development environment ==

If you'd like to test changes, follow our [wiki:puppet/dev-env directions for setting up a puppet development environment].

== workflow ==

A [wiki:puppet/workflow few simple tips on workflow] will make developing MF/PL's puppet setup much easier.