system_profiler - reports Mac OS X system hardware and software configuration

system_profiler is the command-line tool used to build reports on the hardware and software configuration of the system. It can generate plain text reports or XML reports which can be opened with SystemProfiler.app or used for 'other' logging or diagnostic purposes.

computer:~ user$ system_profiler SPMemoryDataType | grep Size Size: Empty Size: 1 GB

Without grep we will get the full report on the RAM available to this machine. As you can see the first DIMM is empty or the RAM in the slot is not recognized by the system.

computer:~ user$ system_profiler SPMemoryDataType Memory: SODIMM0/J25LOWER: Size: Empty Type: Empty Speed: Empty Status: Empty SODIMM1/J25UPPER: Size: 1 GB Type: DDR SDRAM Speed: PC2700U-25330 Status: OK

SYSTEM_PROFILER(8) BSD System Manager's Manual SYSTEM_PROFILER(8) NAME system_profiler -- reports system hardware and software configuration. SYNOPSIS system_profiler [-usage] system_profiler [-listDataTypes] system_profiler [-xml] dataType1 ... dataTypeN system_profiler [-xml] [-detailLevel level] DESCRIPTION system_profiler reports on the hardware and software configuration of the system. It can generate plain text reports or XML reports which can be opened with SystemProfiler.app system_profiler is a replacement for /usr/sbin/AppleSystemProfiler. Unlike that earlier tool system_profiler does not rely on AppleScript or the Window Server and can be reliably used over a remote connection. The following options are available: -xml Generates a report in XML format. If the XML report is redirected to a file with a ".spx" suffix that file can be opened with System Profiler.app. -listDataTypes Lists the available datatypes. -detailLevel level Specifies the level of detail for the report: mini report with no personal information basic basic hardware and network information full all available information -usage Prints usage info and examples. EXAMPLES system_profiler Generates a text report with the standard detail level. system_profiler -detailLevel mini Generates a short report containing no personal information. system_profiler -listDataTypes Shows a list of the available data types. system_profiler SPSoftwareDataType SPNetworkDataType Generates a text report containing only software and network data. system_profiler -xml > MyReport.spx Creates a XML file which can be opened by System Profiler.app AUTHORS Apple Computer, Inc. Darwin June 30, 2003 Darwin

Open Directory and .htpasswd

Fascinating! I worked on a project* once that involved a complete rewrite of the command-line utility passwd in order to keep a number of system services including a .htpasswd file in sync with users account passwords. Mac OS X Hints noted this is made simple with Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) and Open Directory.

Virtualized Xserver

Media Temple labs has a private beta for what it’s calling Xserve-Virtual . This system has been added quickly added to my MT wish list along with the Django GridContainer which, perhaps I wont need if I move over to a full-on-mirror of my development environment using a virtual OS X Server.

A virtual Mac OS X Leopard Server running on a fully loaded cluster of Xserves virtualized using Parallels Server . I want one, … or three, … yeah that should be enough …. maybe four, for symmetry.

Fedora 9 root password mismatch resolution

Having started my journey down the command-line with Fedora 3, I was excited to try out Fedora 9. The install completed with ease (the first time around) but once I logged onto the system and attempted to configure some of the system settings, my root password didn’t work.

Why? CAPS LOCK bit was set by default during the install process making a different root password.