Intent
Standardize host settings with repeatable enforcement.
When to use
- You manage multiple hosts with shared baseline needs.
- Configuration drift causes support issues.
- Security or compliance requires baseline enforcement.
Core mechanics
- Define desired host settings.
- Apply idempotent configuration steps.
- Detect and report drift.
Implementation checklist
- Inventory current host settings.
- Define a baseline configuration.
- Implement idempotent enforcement scripts.
- Schedule regular compliance runs.
- Log changes and deviations.
Failure modes and mitigations
- OS differences -> detect platform and branch logic.
- Privilege errors -> validate permissions up front.
- Conflicting config -> document overrides.
Observability and validation
- Host compliance status and drift reports.
- Change logs per host.
Artifacts
- Baseline config manifest.
- Host configuration scripts.