Starting a systemd service via python

Question

Is there a way to start/restart a systemd service via python?

I know that I can make a system call - but then I also could write this in shell script...

from subprocess import call

call(["systemctl", "restart service"])

I heard that systemd has some python binds, but as far as I saw they only cover the journal.

Am I? Well I want to talk with systemd as direct as possible. I don't want to exit the python enviroment and ask the system to do it for me, if there is a way to tap in more directly. Isn't there some kind of API, so I can talk to systemd? — Maximilian Kindshofer
– Maximilian Kindshofer, Commented Nov 11, 2015 at 8:16

doekman · Accepted Answer · 2022-03-01 14:18:50Z

35

You can use systemd's DBus API to call the RestartUnit method of the Manager (need of sufficient privileges, else it won't work)

import dbus
sysbus = dbus.SystemBus()
systemd1 = sysbus.get_object('org.freedesktop.systemd1', '/org/freedesktop/systemd1')
manager = dbus.Interface(systemd1, 'org.freedesktop.systemd1.Manager')
job = manager.RestartUnit('sshd.service', 'fail')

edited Mar 1, 2022 at 14:18

doekman

19.4k20 gold badges71 silver badges89 bronze badges

answered Nov 11, 2015 at 9:20

Cilyan

8,5811 gold badge32 silver badges39 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

sebix Over a year ago

I posted a similar follow-up question here: Starting a users systemd service via python and dbus.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Starting a systemd service via python

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related