---
title: Explanation
description: Canonical makes open source secure, reliable and easy to use, providing
  support for Ubuntu and a portfolio of enterprise-grade technologies. Founded in
  2004, Canonical operates globally with team members in over 80 countries.
url: https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/explanation?format=md
---

*Submit*

# Explanation

Understand MAAS better through three key areas: machine life-cycle, MAAS-managed infrastructure, and reliability tools.

## [Machines](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/explanation?format=md#p-12191-machines)

Machines are the core component of MAAS and the primary driver of the provisioning workflow.

* Learn [how MAAS defines a machine](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/machines) and views its capabilities.
* Get familiar with [the machine life-cycle](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-the-machine-life-cycle), which prescribes how machines move through the provisioning process.
* Conceptualize [commissioning](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-commissioning-machines) – how MAAS gathers the hardware information needed for later deployment.
* Discover all the ways you can [customize](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-customising-machines) deployment to suit your use case.
* Find out about [deployment](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-deploying-machines) and why it’s valuable to also [deploy already-provisioned machines](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-deploying-running-machines).
* Learn about [LXD projects](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-lxd) to simplify VM deployments.
* Understand the value and utility of [grouping machines](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/labelling-devices).

## [MAAS-managed infrastructure](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/explanation?format=md#p-12191-maas-managed-infrastructure)

MAAS nuances networking with a pre-configured set of tools, designed to make provisioning more convenient and less error-prone.

* [Network discovery](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-role-of-maas-networks#p-20679-network-discovery) reveals every network device that MAAS can see.
* MAAS configures [DHCP](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-role-of-maas-networks#p-20679-dhcp) to handle a specific [network booting process](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-role-of-maas-networks#p-20679-network-booting-and-pxe), so that machines can [boot in a controlled way](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-role-of-maas-networks#p-20679-next-server-and-the-nbp).
* MAAS also manages [DNS](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-role-of-maas-networks#p-20679-dns) and [NTP](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-role-of-maas-networks#p-20679-ntp) for more efficient provisioning.
* MAAS defines some unique convenience constructs, such as [spaces and fabrics](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-role-of-maas-networks#p-20679-spaces-and-fabrics), that influence how you design and plan your provisioning networks.
* Many [other MAAS network customizations](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-role-of-maas-networks#p-20679-other-customizations) are worth discovering.
* [Region and rack controllers](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-high-availability) do the heavy-lifting of maintaining your data centers.
* Take inventory of the available OS images, including [standard images](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-importance-of-images-in-maas#p-17467-standard-images), a number of established [custom images](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-importance-of-images-in-maas#p-17467-custom-images) with build instructions, and a [general purpose tool](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/the-importance-of-images-in-maas#p-17467-packer) to create many other custom images.

## [Reliability tools](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/explanation?format=md#p-12191-reliability-tools)

Keep your data center intact and reliable.

* Take stock of where we stand with [MAAS performance](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/boosting-maas-performance).
* Learn about the MAAS catalog of [events](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/an-overview-of-maas-events) for auditing and debugging issues.
* Dive deep into the MAAS [logging](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-log-files) domain to understand what is captured.
* Get a better handle on the thinking behind [MAAS security](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/ensuring-security-in-maas) to help you design and maintain a hardened stance.

---

[Previous

Configuration guides:
Troubleshooting](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/maas-troubleshooting-guide)
[Next

Machine basics](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/about-machine-basics)

Last updated 1 year, 1 month ago. [Help improve this document in the forum](https://discourse.maas.io/t/explanation/6141).