Managing Systems and Applications with pyinfra
Scripted Setup
© Lead Image © Carlos Castilla Jimenez, 123RF.com
Keeping Linux machines in a known state requires a configuration management system. Discover how pyinfra simplifies this task with Python's full programming power.
When managing a few Linux machines, it's easy to handle them with ad-hoc commands, but this approach becomes inefficient as the number of machines increases. A configuration management tool ensures that all your machines have a consistent setup. Popular tools in this domain are Ansible, Puppet, Chef, SaltStack, and CFEngine. A lesser-known alternative, pyinfra [1], is the subject of this article. Unlike many other configuration management tools, pyinfra doesn't rely on YAML [2] or a domain-specific language. Instead, you configure your systems using Python code.
If you're familiar with Python, you'll find pyinfra easily accessible. Moreover, you can leverage the full Python language, including loops, conditions, functions, and classes to streamline your configuration tasks. You can even import any Python library to meet specific requirements, allowing you to harness the extensive Python ecosystem.
Under the hood, pyinfra translates your Python code into shell commands and executes them on your machines. This means the target machines don't need to have Python or any special dependencies; all that's required is a POSIX-compatible shell. There's no agent running on the target machines. Instead, pyinfra simply logs into machines via SSH to execute its shell commands.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Office 365 Available for Testing on Linux via Bottles
Linux users can now test the official Office 365, thanks to Mirko Brombin's work on Bottles.
-
Dutch Government Turns to Open Source for Digital Sovereignty
Following in the footsteps of European countries, the Netherlands is looking to increase its sovereign digital infrastructure with open source software.
-
Linux May Soon Work on Snapdragon X2-Based PCs
If you're thinking about buying a Snapdragon X2-based desktop or laptop, Linux may soon be an option.
-
KDE for People Initiative Calls for AI Ban in Plasma
A new community of KDE wants the project to adopt a strict no-AI policy for KDE Plasma.
-
KDE Sets Ambitious Goals for 2026 and Beyond
KDE Connect reveals the goals for the Linux desktop darling, with one of those goals long overdue.
-
It’s Time to Test Fedora 45 Beta
Fedora 45 beta has been released with updated Gnome, KDE Plasma, and kernel.
-
Ubuntu Stonking Stingray Gets Even Rustier
Ubuntu 26.10 has completed its migration to the Rust-based coreutils.
-
AI Fixes Linux Bottlenecks Using “Hideous” Code
A Linux developer used AI to fix bottlenecks that caused problems when building the kernel. The resulting AI-generated code needed a lot of work.
-
Advanced Video Coding Still Under Patent
Brazilian patent BRPI0109962B1 has expired, which means that DivX and Xvid are no longer problematic for Linux, but it doesn’t mean that video is all of a sudden fully unleashed.
-
2,000 Vulnerabilities per Linux Release
Thanks to AI bug hunters, the Linux kernel is seeing record numbers of vulnerabilities, and it's overwhelming developers.