3.2. Nodes & Systems

The following is an explanation of the difference between a node and a system.

Try and avoid terms like machine or box, or substitute the terms consequently, to avoid confusion.

node

A node is an Operating System instance, whether running on physical hardware or in a guest. A node is the largest scope from the perspective of a Puppet client.

Nodes, like classes, allow simple inheritance.

Not to be confused with a system.

See also: catalog, client, node manifest

system

A system, contrary to a node is an actual, physical system. A system can therefor run one or more nodes, depending on whether it functions as a virtualization platform.

Not to be confused with a node.