PowerShell DSC files are saved in plaintext, often in a .ps1 file. These files can be compiled into MOF files. These MOF files can then be pushed to one or more servers to update the state of the server to the state described in the MOF file. This is called push mode.

Besides push mode, there is another model for deploying MOF files. This is called pull mode. In pull mode, MOF files are not directly pushed to individual servers, but stored on a central server that is called the pull server. This way, the pull server has a complete record of all configurations and node definitions within those configurations.

Once the pull server is up and running, individual servers are configured to fetch their DSC configuration at a fixed interval and apply that configuration. Applying a configuration means that, for every defined resource, the described state will be enacted. This can be done by doing nothing if the actual state already matches the desired state, or by running commands to achieve the desired state. In this process, all previous changes—even by administrators—will be reverted if necessary.