How to create and execute custom scripts on Linux?

Execute Custom Script is a remote management action that allows IT administrators to deploy shell scripts (primarily Bash) to Linux endpoints. This enables the automation of administrative tasks such as user management, system monitoring, and software updates from a centralized console.

Why Use Custom Scripting for Linux?

Linux administration often requires repetitive command-line operations. Scripting automates these processes, reducing manual intervention and ensuring consistency across a fleet of devices.

• Process Automation: Handle routine tasks like log rotation or service restarts automatically.
• Scaled Management: Deploy the same configuration or fix to hundreds of devices simultaneously.
• Custom Functionality: Execute unique operations not natively built into the UEM interface.

Prerequisites and Compatibility

Before deploying scripts, ensure the following technical requirements are met:

Manual Script Creation (Local Validation)

To ensure your script works before uploading it to Hexnode, follow these steps to create a sample user-creation script on a local Linux machine.

1. Open the Terminal app.
2. Create a new file using a text editor (e.g., nano):
   Command to open nano in the terminal

   nano create_user.sh

   1	nano create_user.sh

3. Type the following script into the editor:
   Script to create local user accounts in Linux

   #!/bin/bash username=”SET_USERNAME” password=”SET_PASSWORD” useradd –m $username echo “$username:$password” | chpasswd echo “User created: $username”

   1 2 3 4 5 6

   #!/bin/bash username=”SET_USERNAME” password=”SET_PASSWORD” useradd –m $username echo “$username:$password” | chpasswd echo “User created: $username”

4. Save and exit (Ctrl+O, Enter, then Ctrl+X).
5. Make the file executable:
   Command to make file executable.

   chmod +x create_user.sh

   1	chmod +x create_user.sh

6. Test the script locally:
   Run the executable script

   ./create_user.sh

   1	./create_user.sh

Executing Scripts via Hexnode UEM

Once validated, use the Hexnode portal to push the script to your managed Linux devices.

1. Navigate to Manage > Devices and select the target Linux device(s).
2. Click Actions > Deployments > Execute Custom Script.
3. Choose the Script File Source:
   • Upload file: Select a script directly from your computer.
   • Hexnode repository: Select a script previously uploaded to the Content tab.
4. Verify the Binary Path: For Bash scripts, ensure the path is set to /bin/bash.
   Note:

   
   If it shows /bin/sh, manually update it to /bin/bash for better compatibility.
   

5. Enter Arguments: Provide inputs required by the script.
   • Separate multiple arguments with spaces.
   • Enclose arguments in single quotes.
   • Wildcards are supported but vary by shell.
6. Click Execute.

Troubleshooting Guides

Viewing Logs

To verify the results of your script, navigate to the Action History sub-tab of the device. Click Show Output to see the logs and return messages from the script execution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the “Binary Path”?

The binary path tells the Linux system which interpreter to use to run the script. For modern Linux scripting, /bin/bash is the standard path for the Bourne Again Shell.

Can scripts be run that require a user to type something?

No. Hexnode executes scripts in the background. Any script requiring real-time user input will hang or fail. Ensure your scripts are fully automated.

Where can it be checked if the script worked on the device?

Apart from the Action History in the portal, you can check the device locally. For example, if your script created a user, go to Settings > System > Users to see the new account.

Does Hexnode support Python or other languages for Linux?

The primary supported format is Bash (.sh). However, you can often trigger other installed interpreters (like Python) from within a Bash script if they are pre-installed on the device.