How do you document decisions and architecture for Pet vs cattle servers?

Documenting decisions and architecture regarding the use of pet vs. cattle servers is crucial for ensuring clear communication and consistent practices within a DevOps team. Here’s how you can approach this documentation:

1. Introduction

In the world of server management, we often refer to two distinct philosophies: pet servers and cattle servers. Understanding the differences between these philosophies helps guide architectural decisions.

2. Definitions

• Pet Servers: These are highly customized and cared-for servers, similar to keeping a pet. They are often managed individually and are harder to replace.
• Cattle Servers: These are uniform and disposable, like livestock. They are routinely replaced and do not require individual attention.

3. Documentation Techniques

When documenting decisions regarding pet vs. cattle servers, consider the following techniques:

• Use diagrams to illustrate architecture.
• Document decision rationale and impacts.
• Maintain an evolving wiki or documentation site for ongoing updates.

4. Example of Documentation

        /*
        Decision: Adopt cattle servers for our microservices architecture.
        Rationale:
        - Easier scaling through orchestration tools (e.g., Kubernetes).
        - Reduced overhead in individual server management.
        - Quick recovery and failover processes.
        
        Implementation Steps:
        1. Define a standard server image using containers.
        2. Set up orchestration for deployment.
        3. Train the team on handling cattle server principles.
        */