■ IntroduCtIon
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The Structure of this Book
is book contains 14 chapters, and each chapter solves a distinctive problem. Some examples span multiple
chapters, but even then, each chapter deals with a specic aspect of the particular problem.
In addition to the chapters, several other organizational layers characterize this book. First, I grouped the
chapters by the problem type. Chapters 1 to 4 deal with network management issues; Chapters 5 to 7 talk about the
Apache web server and web application management; Chapters 8 to 11 are dedicated to monitoring and statistical
calculations; and Chapters 12 and 13 focus on database management issues.
Second, I maintain a common pattern in all chapters. I start with the problem statement and then move on to
gather requirements and proceed through the design phase before moving into the implementation section.
ird, each chapter focuses on one or more technologies and the Python libraries that provide the language
interface for the particular technology. Examples of such technologies could be the SOAP protocol, application
plug-in architecture, or cloud computing concepts.
More specically, here’s a breakdown of the chapters:
Chapter 1: Reading and Collecting Performance Data Using SNMP
Most network-attached devices expose the internal counters via the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
is chapter explains basic SNMP principles and the data structure. We then look at the Python libraries that provide
the interface to SNMP–enabled devices. We also investigate the round robin database, which is the de facto standard
for storing the statistical data. Finally, we look at the Jinja2 template framework, which allows us to generate simple
web pages.
Chapter 2: Managing Devices Using the SOAP API
Complicated tasks, such as managing the device conguration, cannot be easily done by using SNMP because
the protocol is too simplistic. erefore, advanced devices, such as the Citrix Netscaler load balancers, provide the
SOAP API interface to the device management system. In this chapter, we investigate the SOAP API structure and the
libraries that enable the SOAP–based communication from the Python programming language. We also look at the
basic logging functionality using the built-in libraries. is second edition of the book includes examples of how to
use the new REST API to manage the load balancer devices.
Chapter 3: Creating a Web Application for IP Address Accountancy
In this chapter, we build a web application that maintains the list of the assigned IP addresses and the address
ranges. We learn how to create web applications using the Django framework. I show you the way the Django
application should be structured, tell how to create and congure the application settings, and explain the URL
structure. We also investigate how to deploy the Django application using the Apache web server.
Chapter 4: Integrating the IP Address Application with DHCP
is chapter expands on the previous chapter, and we implement the DHCP address range support. We also look
at some advanced Django programming techniques, such as customizing the response MIME type and serving AJAX
calls. is second edition adds new functionality to manage dynamic DHCP leases using OMAPI protocol.
Chapter 5: Maintaining a List of Virtual Hosts in an Apache Conguration File
is is another Django application that we develop in this book, but this time our focus is on the Django
administration interface. While building the Apache conguration management application, you learn how to
customize the default Django administration interface with your own views and functions.
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