book

Python for Unix and Linux System Administration

by Noah Gift, Jeremy M. Jones

August 2008

Intermediate to advanced

458 pages

12h 47m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Conventions Used in This BookUsing Code ExamplesSafari® Books OnlineHow to Contact UsAcknowledgmentsNoah’s AcknowledgmentsJeremy’s Acknowledgments
Why Python?MotivationThe BasicsExecuting Statements in PythonSummaryUsing Functions in PythonReusing Code with the Import Statement
Installing IPythonBasic ConceptsInteracting with IPythonTab CompletionMagic EditConfiguring IPythonHelp with Magic FunctionsUnix ShellaliasShell ExecuterehashrehashxcdbookmarkdhistpwdVariable ExpansionString Processingsh ProfileInformation Gatheringpagepdefpdocpfilepinfopsourcepsearchwhowho_lswhosHistoryReadline supporthist commandHistory resultsAutomation and ShortcutsaliasmacrostoreresetrunsaverepSummary
Python Built-ins and ModulesstrCreating stringsBuilt-in methods for str data extractionUnicode stringsreApache Config File HackingWorking with FilesCreating filesReading filesWriting filesAdditional resourcesStandard Input and OutputStringIOurllibLog ParsingElementTreeSummary
Automated Information GatheringReceiving EmailManual Information GatheringInformation FormattingGraphical ImagesPDFsInformation DistributionSending EmailSending basic messagesUsing SMTP authenticationSending attachments with PythonTracSummary
Network Clientssockethttplibftpliburlliburllib2Remote Procedure Call FacilitiesXML-RPCPyroSSHTwistedScapyCreating Scripts with Scapy

IntroductionUsing the OS Module to Interact with DataCopying, Moving, Renaming, and Deleting DataWorking with Paths, Directories, and FilesComparing DataUsing the filecmp ModuleUsing os.listMerging DataMD5 Checksum ComparisonsPattern Matching Files and DirectoriesWrapping Up rsyncMetadata: Data About DataArchiving, Compressing, Imaging, and RestoringUsing tarfile Module to Create TAR ArchivesUsing a tarfile Module to Examine the Contents of TAR Files
IntroductionBrief Introduction to SNMPSNMP OverviewSNMP Installation and ConfigurationIPython and Net-SNMPDiscovering a Data CenterRetrieving Multiple-Values with Net-SNMPFinding MemoryCreating Hybrid SNMP ToolsExtending Net-SNMPSNMP Device ControlEnterprise SNMP Integration with ZenossZenoss APIUsing ZendmdDevice API
IntroductionCross-Platform Unix Programming in PythonUsing SSH Keys, NFS-Mounted Source Directory, and Cross-Platform Python to Manage SystemsCreating a Cross-Platform, Systems Management ToolCreating a Cross-Platform Build NetworkPyInotifyOS XScripting DSCL or Directory Services UtilityOS X Scripting APIsAutomatically Re-Imaging MachinesManaging Plist Files from PythonRed Hat Linux Systems AdministrationUbuntu AdministrationSolaris Systems AdministrationVirtualizationVMwareCloud ComputingAmazon Web Services with BotoGoogle App EngineBuilding a sample Google App Engine applicationUsing Zenoss to Manage Windows Servers from Linux
IntroductionSetuptools and Python EggsUsing easy_installeasy_install Advanced FeaturesSearch for Packages on a Web PageInstall Source Distribution from URLInstall Egg Located on Local or Network FilesystemUpgrading PackagesInstall an Unpacked Source Distribution in Current Working DirectoryExtract Source Distribution to Specified DirectoryChange Active Version of PackageChanging Standalone .py File into eggAuthenticating to a Password Protected SiteUsing Configuration FilesEasy Install Advanced Features SummaryCreating EggsEntry Points and Console ScriptsRegistering a Package with the Python Package IndexWhere Can I Learn More About …DistutilsBuildoutUsing BuildoutDeveloping with BuildoutvirtualenvCreating a Custom Bootstrapped Virtual EnvironmentEPM Package ManagerEPM Package Manager Requirements and InstallationCreating a Hello World Command-Line Tool to DistributeCreating Platform-Specific Packages with EPMMaking the PackageEPM Summary: It Really Is That Easy
IntroductionSubprocessUsing Return Codes with SubprocessUsing Supervisor to Manage ProcessesUsing Screen to Manage ProcessesThreads in PythonTimed Delay of Threads with threading.TimerThreaded Event HandlerProcessesProcessing ModuleScheduling Python ProcessesdaemonizerSummary
GUI Building TheoryBuilding a Simple PyGTK AppBuilding an Apache Log Viewer Using PyGTKBuilding an Apache Log Viewer Using CursesWeb ApplicationsDjangoApache Log Viewer ApplicationSimple Database ApplicationConclusion
Simple SerializationPicklecPickleshelveYAMLZODBRelational SerializationSQLiteStorm ORMSQLAlchemy ORMSummary
IntroductionBasic Standard Input UsageIntroduction to OptparseSimple Optparse Usage PatternsNo Options Usage PatternTrue/False Usage PatternCounting Options Usage PatternChoices Usage PatternOption with Multiple Arguments Usage PatternUnix Mashups: Integrating Shell Commands into Python Command-Line ToolsKudzu Usage Pattern: Wrapping a Tool in PythonHybrid Kudzu Design Pattern: Wrapping a Tool in Python, and Then Changing the BehaviorHybrid Kudzu Design Pattern: Wrapping a Unix Tool in Python to Spawn ProcessesIntegrating Configuration FilesSummary
Managing DNS with PythonUsing LDAP with OpenLDAP, Active Directory, and More with PythonImporting an LDIF FileApache Log ReportingFTP Mirror

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Dedication

I dedicate this book to Dr. Joseph E. Bogen, my mom, and my wife, Leah—three people who have loved me and believed in me when it counted the most.
—Noah

I dedicate this book to my wife, Debra, and my children, Zane and Justus. You encouraged me, bore with me with great patience, and gave me many smiles along the journey of writing this book. This book is as much yours as it is mine.
—Jeremy