Re: Remote admin of intermittently-connected machine?
On Wed, May 29, 2002 at 07:07:05PM +0100, Karl E. Jorgensen wrote:
> Since I set up a Debian/GNU Linux box for a couple of friends, I find
> myself having to administer it remotely. Which is OK, as I did install
> ssh on it.
>
> But the box is only connected to the internet via a pay-as-you-go
> dial-up connection. And: I only want them to be connected to the
> internet when *they* like it (it's their phonebill after all). Which
> probably doesn't always coincide with when I want to log in and do
> things.
>
> So, this weird scheme occured to me: It is possible to do *some* of the
> admin via email? (not TCP/IP over SMTP/POP3...) I'm thinking something
> along the lines of being able to email commands to the box (GNUPG signed
> and encrypted of course), and have it email me back the output (again,
> signed & encrypted). Similar to at(1), but remotely and via email.
>
> This won't work for interactive commands, but *should* work for the
> basics (i.e. "apt-get --download-only --yes install so-and-so" etc.)
>
> Writing something like the above is fraught with caveats and security
> holes, so I'd rather not write the lot from scratch.
>
> Has anybody else been in the same situation? What was your solution?
> Ideas and comments are welcome!
>
Have you checked out "expect"? It is highly recommended for interactive
processes where you want to eliminate the "human" factor.
You could have an expect script that monitors a particular folder, where
the text of your email is deposited. After expect executes your
commands, it can email you back the output.
-Andy
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