Puppet Enterprise Compliance

Basic information

• Model: Puppet Enterprise (PE) is a commercial version of the open-source Puppet software. "Puppet Enterprise Compliance" refers to the compliance capabilities integrated within Puppet Enterprise, often delivered through modules such as Security Compliance Management (SCM) and Compliance Enforcement Modules (CEM).
• Version: The latest stable release is Puppet Enterprise 2025.6.0. Puppet Enterprise 2023.8.6 is also a recent release.
• Release Date: Puppet Enterprise 2025.6.0 was released on September 23, 2025. Puppet Enterprise 2023.8.6 was also released on September 23, 2025. Puppet Enterprise 2025.5.0 was released on August 5, 2025.
• Minimum Requirements: Hardware requirements are provided as minimum guidelines based on internal testing, with actual needs varying based on configuration and code base.
• Supported Operating Systems:
  • Primary Server: Requires x86_64 architecture (or amd64 for Ubuntu). Supported operating systems include Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7, 8, 9, and 10 (with ARM64 and ppc64le support for RHEL 9), Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04, 24.04 (amd64, aarch64), and Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 or 2012 R2 core for FIPS 140-2 compliant systems.
  • Agent Platforms: Supports various Unix-like systems (Linux, Solaris, BSD, macOS, AIX, HP-UX) and Microsoft Windows. Specific versions include RHEL 7, 8, 9, 10 (x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le), Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04, 24.04 (amd64, aarch64), and Microsoft Windows 10 (x64) for FIPS 140-2 compliant systems.
• Latest Stable Version: Puppet Enterprise 2025.6.0.
• End of Support Date: Puppet Enterprise 2023.8 (LTS) receives maintenance releases until August 2026. Under a new support model, the "Latest" series receives full support for 12 months, and the "Latest - 1" series receives limited support for an additional 12 months. The PE 2025.Y series will transition to "Latest - 1" in August 2026 and receive updates until August 2027.
• End of Life Date: Puppet Enterprise 2023.8 (LTS) reaches End of Life (EOL) in August 2026. The PE 2025.Y series EOL is August 2027. Comply 2.x (legacy SCM) has an EOL effective February 5, 2026.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly defined as a single date for the entire product. License expiration will cause the product to stop working. Puppet modules can be configured to automatically update to the latest version.
• License Type: Commercial subscription license, typically per node. A trial version is available for managing up to 10 nodes at no charge.
• Deployment Model: Primarily an agent/master configuration, where a central Puppet master server manages multiple systems running the Puppet agent. It can also be run standalone. Supports deployment across traditional on-premises and cloud environments.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Specific RAM requirements vary by the scale and role of the Puppet Enterprise component (e.g., primary server, compiler, database). General hardware requirements are provided as minimum guidelines.
• Processor: Specific processor requirements vary by the scale and role of the Puppet Enterprise component. The primary server platforms require x86_64 architecture (or amd64 for Ubuntu).
• Storage: Specific storage requirements vary by the scale and role of the Puppet Enterprise component and the amount of data managed. General hardware requirements are provided as minimum guidelines.
• Display: Supported web browsers are required for accessing the Puppet Enterprise console.
• Ports: Puppet Enterprise requires specific network ports for communication between its components (e.g., master, agents, console).
• Operating System: The primary server and agents support various operating systems, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, Microsoft Windows, Solaris, BSD, macOS, AIX, and HP-UX.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: Puppet Enterprise is designed for enterprise-scale infrastructure automation, meaning its technical requirements are scalable and depend heavily on the size and complexity of the managed environment. While specific numerical values for RAM, processor, and storage are not universally fixed, they are typically substantial for the primary server and related components to handle large fleets of agents. The broad operating system support for both server and agent roles highlights its versatility in heterogeneous IT environments. Network port configuration is critical for inter-component communication and secure operation.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Puppet Enterprise 2025.6.0.
• OS Support: Extensive support for various operating systems for both primary servers and agents, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7, 8, 9, 10; Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04, 24.04; Microsoft Windows (10, Server 2012 R2); Solaris; BSD; macOS; AIX; and HP-UX.
• End of Support Date: Puppet Enterprise 2023.8 (LTS) receives maintenance releases until August 2026. A new "Latest / Latest - 1" support model is being adopted, where the "Latest" series receives full support for 12 months, and the "Latest - 1" series receives limited support for an additional 12 months. The PE 2025.Y series will transition to "Latest - 1" in August 2026 and receive updates until August 2027.
• Localization: Information on specific localization options for the Puppet Enterprise console or documentation is not readily available in the provided data.
• Available Drivers: Not applicable in the traditional sense for this software. Puppet uses agents and modules to manage systems.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: Puppet Enterprise demonstrates strong compatibility across a wide array of operating systems, catering to diverse enterprise environments. The transition to a "Latest / Latest - 1" support model aims to accelerate innovation and simplify lifecycle management by providing more frequent updates and a predictable support timeline. This model ensures that users have access to the latest features and security patches, though it requires more frequent upgrades than the previous LTS model. The comprehensive OS support for both server and agent components ensures broad applicability. While specific localization details are not provided, the global user base suggests a focus on English documentation and interfaces, with community contributions potentially filling gaps.

Security Status

• Security Features: Puppet Enterprise Compliance offers continuous compliance monitoring, assessment, remediation, and enforcement of configuration policies using policy-as-code. It aligns with industry frameworks such as CIS Benchmarks and DISA STIGs. Key features include greater visibility into multi-cloud infrastructure, updated alignment with the latest benchmarks, and role-based access controls. It also includes security and bug fixes in its releases.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Puppet Enterprise releases regularly include fixes for security vulnerabilities, with details often listed in release notes.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable for this type of enterprise software.
• Certifications: Puppet Enterprise supports FIPS 140-2 compliant systems for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Microsoft Windows.
• Encryption Support: While not explicitly detailed, FIPS 140-2 compliance implies robust encryption for data in transit and at rest to meet government standards. Puppet 8, included in recent PE releases, uses OpenSSL 3, which provides strong cryptographic capabilities.
• Authentication Methods: Not explicitly detailed in the provided information, but enterprise software typically supports integration with common authentication systems (e.g., LDAP, Active Directory, SAML).
• General Recommendations: Best practices for securing Puppet Enterprise involve leveraging its policy-as-code capabilities to enforce desired security configurations, regularly applying updates, and adhering to the principle of least privilege with role-based access controls.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: Puppet Enterprise Compliance provides a strong security posture by enabling automated assessment, remediation, and enforcement of security policies across diverse infrastructure. Its alignment with CIS Benchmarks and DISA STIGs, coupled with FIPS 140-2 compliance for critical platforms, demonstrates a commitment to industry-recognized security standards. The continuous integration of security fixes in releases and the emphasis on policy-as-code for consistent configuration management contribute to a robust defense against configuration drift and known vulnerabilities. The platform's capabilities help organizations reduce their risk profile and maintain continuous compliance.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, publicly available benchmark scores are not detailed in the provided information.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Puppet Enterprise is designed for scalability, with performance enhancements and memory optimizations included in releases to manage large numbers of agents efficiently. It enables rapid and efficient scaling without increasing headcount.
• Power Consumption: Not directly applicable for software; power consumption is dependent on the underlying hardware infrastructure where Puppet Enterprise is deployed.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable for software; the carbon footprint is determined by the energy efficiency of the hardware and data centers used.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Puppet Enterprise is often compared with other configuration management and automation tools like Ansible and Chef, particularly in its ability to automate the entire application stack and manage infrastructure as code. Its compliance features are designed to simplify policy-as-code implementation against benchmarks like CIS.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: Puppet Enterprise is engineered for high performance and scalability, crucial for managing complex, heterogeneous enterprise environments. While explicit benchmark scores are not provided, the continuous focus on performance enhancements, memory optimization, and scalability in release notes indicates a strong commitment to efficient operation. Its ability to automate configuration management across thousands of nodes and maintain desired states highlights its robust real-world performance. The platform's design allows organizations to scale their infrastructure automation effectively, reducing manual effort and potential for human error.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback generally highlight Puppet Enterprise's strengths in comprehensive configuration management and compliance automation. Users appreciate its declarative, model-based approach to IT automation, which ensures consistency and reduces manual errors across diverse environments. The ability to define desired states in code and have Puppet automatically maintain them is a significant advantage for large infrastructures. The compliance features, particularly the alignment with CIS Benchmarks and DISA STIGs, are valued for simplifying audit preparation and strengthening security posture.

Strengths often cited include its scalability, robust reporting capabilities, and the ability to manage complex infrastructure as code. The platform's flexibility, with both agent-based and agentless capabilities, allows organizations to automate various aspects of their IT operations.

Weaknesses or areas for improvement sometimes mentioned can relate to the initial learning curve for new users, especially those unfamiliar with Puppet's domain-specific language (DSL). The complexity of managing large-scale deployments can also present challenges, though Puppet Enterprise provides tools to mitigate this. Specific feedback on the "Compliance" aspect often praises its effectiveness but may also point to the need for continuous updates to keep pace with evolving compliance standards.

Recommended use cases typically involve organizations with large, complex, and heterogeneous IT environments that require stringent compliance, consistent configuration management, and automated infrastructure deployment. It is particularly well-suited for industries with high regulatory demands.

Summary

Puppet Enterprise Compliance is a robust and comprehensive solution for enterprise-scale infrastructure automation, with a strong focus on security and regulatory adherence. It leverages the core Puppet Enterprise platform to provide capabilities for assessing, remediating, and enforcing configuration compliance policies across diverse IT environments, including on-premises and multi-cloud infrastructures. The latest stable version, Puppet Enterprise 2025.6.0, released on September 23, 2025, continues to build upon its strengths with ongoing enhancements and security fixes.

Strengths: The asset excels in its ability to automate compliance checks against industry standards like CIS Benchmarks and DISA STIGs, offering continuous monitoring and automated remediation. Its extensive support for various operating systems, including major Linux distributions, Windows, and Unix-like systems, ensures broad compatibility for heterogeneous environments. The declarative, model-based approach to configuration management promotes consistency, reduces human error, and facilitates infrastructure-as-code practices. Security features like FIPS 140-2 compliance and regular vulnerability fixes further bolster its appeal for security-conscious organizations.

Weaknesses: While powerful, the initial learning curve for Puppet's DSL and ecosystem can be steep for new users. The transition to a "Latest / Latest - 1" support model, while promoting innovation, may require more frequent upgrade cycles compared to traditional LTS models, which could be a consideration for some enterprises. Specific, publicly available performance benchmarks are not extensively detailed, making direct quantitative comparisons challenging.

Recommendations: Puppet Enterprise Compliance is highly recommended for organizations managing complex, large-scale IT infrastructures that require stringent security compliance, consistent configuration, and automated operations. It is particularly valuable for industries facing significant regulatory requirements. Enterprises should plan for continuous updates under the new support model to leverage the latest features and security enhancements. Investing in training for the Puppet ecosystem can maximize the benefits of its powerful automation capabilities.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.