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
Digital Autonomy
• The Answer Was Already on the Shelf
• Changing the Chip Industry: How Public Investment Has Grown Open Silicon
• United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
• EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
• France Says “Au Revoir” to Microsoft
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
-
Pine64 Halts Production of Linux Devices
With continued DRAM and eMMC shortages, Pine64 has decided to discontinue production of Linux devices.
-
The Bullet-Proof KDE Software Initiative Is Coming
KDE, Techpaladin, and Kubuntu Focus have announced a new initiative that will provide at least three years of support for KDE Plasma 6.6 LTS and related software.
-
Linux Mint Shares a Possible Kernel Cleanup Solution
For those on Linux Mint who like to keep multiple kernels around but don't want them to take up too much space, you might be getting a new automated tool.
-
CachyOS Gets an Update
CachyOS August 2026 release is now available with the latest version of KDE, some new features, and plenty of improvements.
-
The Linux Kernel Dev Staging Area Now Rejects AI-Generated Patches
Unless a kernel patch is a valid security fix, it will be rejected if it was created using AI.
-
Linux Surpasses Double-Digit Market Share
According to two sources, the Linux operating system has hit a major milestone in market share that naysayers thought would never happen.
-
AI Helped Develop a Linux Exploit
A use-after-free race exploit was discovered and exploited on CentOS Stream 9.
-
Yet Another Linux Kernel Vulnerability Discovered
Affecting millions of systems, a kernel flaw discovered by Qualys could allow users to gain root privileges.
-
Ubuntu 26.10 to Include Ubuntu Certified Hardware Check
If you've ever wondered if your laptop or PC is officially certified to run Ubuntu, that curiosity will soon be met.
-
Substantial Update to IPFire Now Available
The lastest version of IPFire features a fundamental change to how the system handles DNS.