Graphical interfaces for systemd
Cockpit
The Cockpit project [2] primarily concerns server management, but, thanks to the close combination with systemd, also provides the option to administer the session manager on the target system. The current version is 126 – apparently the developers no longer use the major number before it.
Red Hat maintains and further develops the software, and systemd is a mandatory requirement. Prebuilt packages and repositories are available for Fedora Server, CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and RHEL Atomic. The application can be found in separate repositories for Debian and Ubuntu, while Arch Linux has unofficial support [14]. Additionally, the developers make the source code of the software available under LGPL on GitHub [15].
False Start
A shortcoming initially stood out during the test installation with the current Cockpit version 126: Unfortunately, the project developers failed to explain the exact specifications for using Cockpit with Ubuntu. If users want to install the program using the official archive in Ubuntu 16.10, the existing PPA archive does not integrate into the system because it is intended for Ubuntu 16.04. Installation on the slightly older Ubuntu version (which is, however, provided with long-term support) works easily using the three steps in Listing 1.
Listing 1
Install Cockpit in Ubuntu 16.04
In the end, the user starts the systemd-socket, which, using
sudo systemctl enable --now cockpit.socket
is no problem. The software is now ready for use, and its interface appears in the web browser of your intranet if you type https://<Server-IP-Address>:9090
into the address bar. With the exception of the installation on the server itself, Cockpit only uses a connection secured with SSL/TLS, whereby it creates a self-signed certificate when first started.
If no connection is established, this is probably due to a blockade of port 9090 via the firewall, and you'll need to unlock the port – Fedora Server does this innately by the way.
The Cockpit dashboard then appears with the login screen in the browser. The admin is authenticated and thus moves into the home screen. On the left are selection lists for various tasks, and the corresponding content appears in a large area on the right (Figure 11). To configure and manage systemd processes on the server, select Services on the left of the selection area. The software lists the existing processes and services in a table, whereby Cockpit initially considers all types, even the inactive ones.
The Cockpit user further manages servers that can be found on the intranet by clicking Dashboard at the top of the main window and using the + button in the vertical center of the window. The server can now be integrated into Cockpit via its IP address. The management software then logs in with the user's authentication information with the new server and collects the necessary information from it. The server then appears under its IP address in the list of server systems waiting at the bottom of the window. Here, the user can call up the performance data of one of the servers via mouse click.
The user can also access the systemd units here via the Services menu item on the left of the dashboard – depending on the device. Cockpit divides the list into the categories Enabled, Disabled, and Static, which serves as an overview. At the top of the list view are the Targets, System Services, Sockets, Timers, and Paths buttons, from which you can very quickly identify individual units (Figure 12).
Regardless of a unit's operating status, after clicking on a unit, the user ends up on the unit in a log window, which displays the respective unit's log. This saves tediously searching for individual log entries in the journal.
Manager
To manage processes and daemons in Cockpit, you need to register the software with administrator rights beforehand. You can start new processes from the dashboard in a terminal with Tools | Terminal. Alternatively, you can select the desired unit from a list with the mouse. You will then see the unit's log entries and other information, including the path.
Two selection fields on the right provide various functions via mouse click: Here the administrator can enable, disabled, or reload systemd units. These also allow a unit to be force started. The user can also modify the configuration file via the integrated terminal. In all, it's very easy to manage systemd processes using Cockpit (Figure 13).
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
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.