nbdkit-python-plugin(3) nbdkit python plugin

SYNOPSIS


nbdkit python script=/path/to/plugin.py [arguments...]

DESCRIPTION

"nbdkit-python-plugin" is an embedded Python interpreter for nbdkit(1), allowing you to write nbdkit plugins in Python.

Broadly speaking, Python nbdkit plugins work like C ones, so you should read nbdkit-plugin(3) first.

USING A PYTHON NBDKIT PLUGIN

Assuming you have a Python script which is an nbdkit plugin, you run it like this: 

 nbdkit python script=/path/to/plugin.py

You may have to add further "key=value" arguments to the command line. Read the Python script to see if it requires any. "script=..." must come first on the command line.

WRITING A PYTHON NBDKIT PLUGIN

There is an example Python nbdkit plugin called "example.py" which ships with the nbdkit source.

To write a Python nbdkit plugin, you create a Python file which contains at least the following required functions (in the top level "__main__" module): 

 def open(readonly):
   # see below
 def get_size(h):
   # see below
 def pread(h, count, offset):
   # see below

Note that the subroutines must have those literal names (like "open"), because the C part looks up and calls those functions directly. You may want to include documentation and globals (eg. for storing global state). Any other top level statements are run when the script is loaded, just like ordinary Python.

The file does not need to include a "#!" (hash-bang) at the top, and does not need to be executable. In fact it's a good idea not to do that, because running the plugin directly as a Python script won't work.

EXCEPTIONS

Python callbacks should throw exceptions to indicate errors.

PYTHON CALLBACKS

This just documents the arguments to the callbacks in Python, and any way that they differ from the C callbacks. In all other respects they work the same way as the C callbacks, so you should go and read nbdkit-plugin(3).
"config"
(Optional) 

 def config(key, value):
   # no return value
"config_complete"
(Optional)

There are no arguments or return value.

"open"
(Required) 

 def open(readonly):
   # return handle

You can return any non-NULL Python value as the handle. It is passed back in subsequent calls.

"close"
(Optional) 

 def close(h):
   # no return value

After "close" returns, the reference count of the handle is decremented in the C part, which usually means that the handle and its contents will be garbage collected.

"get_size"
(Required) 

 def get_size(h):
   # return the size of the disk
"can_write"
(Optional) 

 def can_write(h):
   # return a boolean
"can_flush"
(Optional) 

 def can_flush(h):
   # return a boolean
"is_rotational"
(Optional) 

 def is_rotational(h):
   # return a boolean
"can_trim"
(Optional) 

 def can_trim(h):
   # return a boolean
"pread"
(Required) 

 def pread(h, count, offset):
   # construct a bytearray of length count bytes and return it

The body of your "pread" function should construct a buffer of length (at least) "count" bytes. You should read "count" bytes from the disk starting at "offset".

NBD only supports whole reads, so your function should try to read the whole region (perhaps requiring a loop). If the read fails or is partial, your function should throw an exception.

"pwrite"
(Optional) 

 def pwrite(h, buf, offset):
   length = len (buf)
   # no return value

The body of your "pwrite" function should write the "buf" string to the disk. You should write "count" bytes to the disk starting at "offset".

NBD only supports whole writes, so your function should try to write the whole region (perhaps requiring a loop). If the write fails or is partial, your function should throw an exception.

"flush"
(Optional) 

 def flush(h):
   # no return value

The body of your "flush" function should do a sync(2) or fdatasync(2) or equivalent on the backing store.

"trim"
(Optional) 

 def trim(h, count, offset):
   # no return value

The body of your "trim" function should ``punch a hole'' in the backing store.

MISSING CALLBACKS

Missing: "load" and "unload"
These are not needed because you can just use ordinary Python constructs.
Missing: "name", "version", "longname", "description", "config_help"
These are not yet supported.

THREADS

The thread model for Python callbacks currently cannot be set from Python. It is hard-coded in the C part to "NBDKIT_THREAD_MODEL_SERIALIZE_ALL_REQUESTS". This may change or be settable in future.

AUTHORS

Richard W.M. Jones

COPYRIGHT

Copyright (C) 2013-2014 Red Hat Inc.

LICENSE

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
  • Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
  • Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
  • Neither the name of Red Hat nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY RED HAT AND CONTRIBUTORS ''AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL RED HAT OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

SEE ALSO

LAST SEARCHED