Author: Nils Haustein
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738457493
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 78
Book Description
Economic globalization requires data to be available globally. With most data stored in file systems, solutions to make this data globally available become more important. Files that are in file systems can be protected or shared by replicating these files to another file system that is in a remote location. The remote location might be just around the corner or in a different country. Therefore, the techniques that are used to protect and share files must account for long distances and slow and unreliable wide area network (WAN) connections. IBM® Spectrum Scale is a scalable clustered file system that can be used to store all kinds of unstructured data. It provides open data access by way of Network File System (NFS); Server Message Block (SMB); POSIX Object Storage APIs, such as S3 and OpenStack Swift; and the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) for accessing and sharing data. The IBM Aspera® file transfer solution (IBM Aspera Sync) provides predictable and reliable data transfer across large distance for small and large files. The combination of both can be used for global sharing and protection of data. This IBM RedpaperTM publication describes how IBM Aspera Sync can be used to protect and share data that is stored in IBM SpectrumTM Scale file systems across large distances of several hundred to thousands of miles. We also explain the integration of IBM Aspera Sync with IBM Spectrum ScaleTM and differentiate it from solutions that are built into IBM Spectrum Scale for protection and sharing. We also describe different use cases for IBM Aspera Sync with IBM Spectrum Scale.
Integration of IBM Aspera Sync with IBM Spectrum Scale: Protecting and Sharing Files Globally
Author: Nils Haustein
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738457493
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 78
Book Description
Economic globalization requires data to be available globally. With most data stored in file systems, solutions to make this data globally available become more important. Files that are in file systems can be protected or shared by replicating these files to another file system that is in a remote location. The remote location might be just around the corner or in a different country. Therefore, the techniques that are used to protect and share files must account for long distances and slow and unreliable wide area network (WAN) connections. IBM® Spectrum Scale is a scalable clustered file system that can be used to store all kinds of unstructured data. It provides open data access by way of Network File System (NFS); Server Message Block (SMB); POSIX Object Storage APIs, such as S3 and OpenStack Swift; and the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) for accessing and sharing data. The IBM Aspera® file transfer solution (IBM Aspera Sync) provides predictable and reliable data transfer across large distance for small and large files. The combination of both can be used for global sharing and protection of data. This IBM RedpaperTM publication describes how IBM Aspera Sync can be used to protect and share data that is stored in IBM SpectrumTM Scale file systems across large distances of several hundred to thousands of miles. We also explain the integration of IBM Aspera Sync with IBM Spectrum ScaleTM and differentiate it from solutions that are built into IBM Spectrum Scale for protection and sharing. We also describe different use cases for IBM Aspera Sync with IBM Spectrum Scale.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738457493
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 78
Book Description
Economic globalization requires data to be available globally. With most data stored in file systems, solutions to make this data globally available become more important. Files that are in file systems can be protected or shared by replicating these files to another file system that is in a remote location. The remote location might be just around the corner or in a different country. Therefore, the techniques that are used to protect and share files must account for long distances and slow and unreliable wide area network (WAN) connections. IBM® Spectrum Scale is a scalable clustered file system that can be used to store all kinds of unstructured data. It provides open data access by way of Network File System (NFS); Server Message Block (SMB); POSIX Object Storage APIs, such as S3 and OpenStack Swift; and the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) for accessing and sharing data. The IBM Aspera® file transfer solution (IBM Aspera Sync) provides predictable and reliable data transfer across large distance for small and large files. The combination of both can be used for global sharing and protection of data. This IBM RedpaperTM publication describes how IBM Aspera Sync can be used to protect and share data that is stored in IBM SpectrumTM Scale file systems across large distances of several hundred to thousands of miles. We also explain the integration of IBM Aspera Sync with IBM Spectrum ScaleTM and differentiate it from solutions that are built into IBM Spectrum Scale for protection and sharing. We also describe different use cases for IBM Aspera Sync with IBM Spectrum Scale.
Integration of IBM Aspera Sync with IBM Spectrum Scale
Author: Nils Haustein
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business enterprises
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business enterprises
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
IBM Software-Defined Storage Guide
Author: Larry Coyne
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738457051
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 158
Book Description
Today, new business models in the marketplace coexist with traditional ones and their well-established IT architectures. They generate new business needs and new IT requirements that can only be satisfied by new service models and new technological approaches. These changes are reshaping traditional IT concepts. Cloud in its three main variants (Public, Hybrid, and Private) represents the major and most viable answer to those IT requirements, and software-defined infrastructure (SDI) is its major technological enabler. IBM® technology, with its rich and complete set of storage hardware and software products, supports SDI both in an open standard framework and in other vendors' environments. IBM services are able to deliver solutions to the customers with their extensive knowledge of the topic and the experiences gained in partnership with clients. This IBM RedpaperTM publication focuses on software-defined storage (SDS) and IBM Storage Systems product offerings for software-defined environments (SDEs). It also provides use case examples across various industries that cover different client needs, proposed solutions, and results. This paper can help you to understand current organizational capabilities and challenges, and to identify specific business objectives to be achieved by implementing an SDS solution in your enterprise.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738457051
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 158
Book Description
Today, new business models in the marketplace coexist with traditional ones and their well-established IT architectures. They generate new business needs and new IT requirements that can only be satisfied by new service models and new technological approaches. These changes are reshaping traditional IT concepts. Cloud in its three main variants (Public, Hybrid, and Private) represents the major and most viable answer to those IT requirements, and software-defined infrastructure (SDI) is its major technological enabler. IBM® technology, with its rich and complete set of storage hardware and software products, supports SDI both in an open standard framework and in other vendors' environments. IBM services are able to deliver solutions to the customers with their extensive knowledge of the topic and the experiences gained in partnership with clients. This IBM RedpaperTM publication focuses on software-defined storage (SDS) and IBM Storage Systems product offerings for software-defined environments (SDEs). It also provides use case examples across various industries that cover different client needs, proposed solutions, and results. This paper can help you to understand current organizational capabilities and challenges, and to identify specific business objectives to be achieved by implementing an SDS solution in your enterprise.
IBM Private, Public, and Hybrid Cloud Storage Solutions
Author: Larry Coyne
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738456845
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 206
Book Description
This IBM® RedpaperTM publication takes you on a journey that surveys cloud computing to answer several fundamental questions about storage cloud technology. What are storage clouds? How can a storage cloud help solve your current and future data storage business requirements? What can IBM do to help you implement a storage cloud solution that addresses these needs? This paper shows how IBM storage clouds use the extensive cloud computing experience, services, proven technologies, and products of IBM to support a smart storage cloud solution designed for your storage optimization efforts. Clients face many common storage challenges and some have variations that make them unique. It describes various successful client storage cloud implementations and the options that are available to meet your current needs and position you to avoid storage issues in the future. IBM CloudTM Services (IBM Cloud Managed Services® and IBM SoftLayer®) are highlighted as well as the contributions of IBM to OpenStack cloud storage. This paper is intended for anyone who wants to learn about storage clouds and how IBM addresses data storage challenges with smart storage cloud solutions. It is suitable for IBM clients, storage solution integrators, and IBM specialist sales representatives.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738456845
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 206
Book Description
This IBM® RedpaperTM publication takes you on a journey that surveys cloud computing to answer several fundamental questions about storage cloud technology. What are storage clouds? How can a storage cloud help solve your current and future data storage business requirements? What can IBM do to help you implement a storage cloud solution that addresses these needs? This paper shows how IBM storage clouds use the extensive cloud computing experience, services, proven technologies, and products of IBM to support a smart storage cloud solution designed for your storage optimization efforts. Clients face many common storage challenges and some have variations that make them unique. It describes various successful client storage cloud implementations and the options that are available to meet your current needs and position you to avoid storage issues in the future. IBM CloudTM Services (IBM Cloud Managed Services® and IBM SoftLayer®) are highlighted as well as the contributions of IBM to OpenStack cloud storage. This paper is intended for anyone who wants to learn about storage clouds and how IBM addresses data storage challenges with smart storage cloud solutions. It is suitable for IBM clients, storage solution integrators, and IBM specialist sales representatives.
End-to-end Integration with IBM Sterling B2B Integration and Managed File Transfer solutions
Author: James Ballentine
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738436925
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
Across numerous vertical industries, enterprises are challenged to improve processing efficiency as transactions flow from their business communities to their internal systems and vice versa, simplify management and expansion of the external communities, accommodate customer and supplier preferences, govern the flow of information, enforce policy and standards, and protect sensitive information. Throughout this process, external partners must be on-boarded and off-boarded, information must flow across multiple communications infrastructures, and data must be mapped and transformed for consumption across multiple applications. Some transactions require synchronous or real-time processing while others are of a more periodic nature. For some classes of customer or supplier, the enterprise might prefer a locally-managed, on-premise solution. For some types of communities (often small businesses), an as-a-Service solution might be the best option. Many large enterprises combine the on-premise and as-a-Service approach to serve different categories of business partners (customers or suppliers). This IBM® Redbooks® publication focuses on solutions for end-to-end integration in complex value chains and presents several end-to-end common integration scenarios with IBM Sterling and IBM WebSphere® portfolios. We believe that this publication will be a reference for IT Specialists and IT Architects implementing an integration solution architecture involving IBM Sterling and IBM WebSphere portfolios.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738436925
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
Across numerous vertical industries, enterprises are challenged to improve processing efficiency as transactions flow from their business communities to their internal systems and vice versa, simplify management and expansion of the external communities, accommodate customer and supplier preferences, govern the flow of information, enforce policy and standards, and protect sensitive information. Throughout this process, external partners must be on-boarded and off-boarded, information must flow across multiple communications infrastructures, and data must be mapped and transformed for consumption across multiple applications. Some transactions require synchronous or real-time processing while others are of a more periodic nature. For some classes of customer or supplier, the enterprise might prefer a locally-managed, on-premise solution. For some types of communities (often small businesses), an as-a-Service solution might be the best option. Many large enterprises combine the on-premise and as-a-Service approach to serve different categories of business partners (customers or suppliers). This IBM® Redbooks® publication focuses on solutions for end-to-end integration in complex value chains and presents several end-to-end common integration scenarios with IBM Sterling and IBM WebSphere® portfolios. We believe that this publication will be a reference for IT Specialists and IT Architects implementing an integration solution architecture involving IBM Sterling and IBM WebSphere portfolios.
Accelerating Modernization with Agile Integration
Author: Adeline SE Chun
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738458368
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 650
Book Description
The organization pursuing digital transformation must embrace new ways to use and deploy integration technologies, so they can move quickly in a manner appropriate to the goals of multicloud, decentralization, and microservices. The integration layer must transform to allow organizations to move boldly in building new customer experiences, rather than forcing models for architecture and development that pull away from maximizing the organization's productivity. Many organizations have started embracing agile application techniques, such as microservice architecture, and are now seeing the benefits of that shift. This approach complements and accelerates an enterprise's API strategy. Businesses should also seek to use this approach to modernize their existing integration and messaging infrastructure to achieve more effective ways to manage and operate their integration services in their private or public cloud. This IBM® Redbooks® publication explores the merits of what we refer to as agile integration; a container-based, decentralized, and microservice-aligned approach for integration solutions that meets the demands of agility, scalability, and resilience required by digital transformation. It also discusses how the IBM Cloud Pak for Integration marks a significant leap forward in integration technology by embracing both a cloud-native approach and container technology to achieve the goals of agile integration. The target audiences for this book are cloud integration architects, IT specialists, and application developers.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738458368
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 650
Book Description
The organization pursuing digital transformation must embrace new ways to use and deploy integration technologies, so they can move quickly in a manner appropriate to the goals of multicloud, decentralization, and microservices. The integration layer must transform to allow organizations to move boldly in building new customer experiences, rather than forcing models for architecture and development that pull away from maximizing the organization's productivity. Many organizations have started embracing agile application techniques, such as microservice architecture, and are now seeing the benefits of that shift. This approach complements and accelerates an enterprise's API strategy. Businesses should also seek to use this approach to modernize their existing integration and messaging infrastructure to achieve more effective ways to manage and operate their integration services in their private or public cloud. This IBM® Redbooks® publication explores the merits of what we refer to as agile integration; a container-based, decentralized, and microservice-aligned approach for integration solutions that meets the demands of agility, scalability, and resilience required by digital transformation. It also discusses how the IBM Cloud Pak for Integration marks a significant leap forward in integration technology by embracing both a cloud-native approach and container technology to achieve the goals of agile integration. The target audiences for this book are cloud integration architects, IT specialists, and application developers.
IBM PowerVC Version 2.0 Introduction and Configuration
Author: Scott Vetter
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738459739
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 368
Book Description
IBM® Power Virtualization Center (IBM® PowerVCTM) is an advanced enterprise virtualization management offering for IBM Power Systems. This IBM Redbooks® publication introduces IBM PowerVC and helps you understand its functions, planning, installation, and setup. It also shows how IBM PowerVC can integrate with systems management tools such as Ansible or Terraform and that it also integrates well into a OpenShift container environment. IBM PowerVC Version 2.0.0 supports both large and small deployments, either by managing IBM PowerVM® that is controlled by the Hardware Management Console (HMC), or by IBM PowerVM NovaLink. With this capability, IBM PowerVC can manage IBM AIX®, IBM i, and Linux workloads that run on IBM POWER® hardware. IBM PowerVC is available as a Standard Edition, or as a Private Cloud Edition. IBM PowerVC includes the following features and benefits: Virtual image capture, import, export, deployment, and management Policy-based virtual machine (VM) placement to improve server usage Snapshots and cloning of VMs or volumes for backup or testing purposes Support of advanced storage capabilities such as IBM SVC vdisk mirroring of IBM Global Mirror Management of real-time optimization and VM resilience to increase productivity VM Mobility with placement policies to reduce the burden on IT staff in a simple-to-install and easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) Automated Simplified Remote Restart for improved availability of VMs ifor when a host is down Role-based security policies to ensure a secure environment for common tasks The ability to enable an administrator to enable Dynamic Resource Optimization on a schedule IBM PowerVC Private Cloud Edition includes all of the IBM PowerVC Standard Edition features and enhancements: A self-service portal that allows the provisioning of new VMs without direct system administrator intervention. There is an option for policy approvals for the requests that are received from the self-service portal. Pre-built deploy templates that are set up by the cloud administrator that simplify the deployment of VMs by the cloud user. Cloud management policies that simplify management of cloud deployments. Metering data that can be used for chargeback. This publication is for experienced users of IBM PowerVM and other virtualization solutions who want to understand and implement the next generation of enterprise virtualization management for Power Systems. Unless stated otherwise, the content of this publication refers to IBM PowerVC Version 2.0.0.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738459739
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 368
Book Description
IBM® Power Virtualization Center (IBM® PowerVCTM) is an advanced enterprise virtualization management offering for IBM Power Systems. This IBM Redbooks® publication introduces IBM PowerVC and helps you understand its functions, planning, installation, and setup. It also shows how IBM PowerVC can integrate with systems management tools such as Ansible or Terraform and that it also integrates well into a OpenShift container environment. IBM PowerVC Version 2.0.0 supports both large and small deployments, either by managing IBM PowerVM® that is controlled by the Hardware Management Console (HMC), or by IBM PowerVM NovaLink. With this capability, IBM PowerVC can manage IBM AIX®, IBM i, and Linux workloads that run on IBM POWER® hardware. IBM PowerVC is available as a Standard Edition, or as a Private Cloud Edition. IBM PowerVC includes the following features and benefits: Virtual image capture, import, export, deployment, and management Policy-based virtual machine (VM) placement to improve server usage Snapshots and cloning of VMs or volumes for backup or testing purposes Support of advanced storage capabilities such as IBM SVC vdisk mirroring of IBM Global Mirror Management of real-time optimization and VM resilience to increase productivity VM Mobility with placement policies to reduce the burden on IT staff in a simple-to-install and easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) Automated Simplified Remote Restart for improved availability of VMs ifor when a host is down Role-based security policies to ensure a secure environment for common tasks The ability to enable an administrator to enable Dynamic Resource Optimization on a schedule IBM PowerVC Private Cloud Edition includes all of the IBM PowerVC Standard Edition features and enhancements: A self-service portal that allows the provisioning of new VMs without direct system administrator intervention. There is an option for policy approvals for the requests that are received from the self-service portal. Pre-built deploy templates that are set up by the cloud administrator that simplify the deployment of VMs by the cloud user. Cloud management policies that simplify management of cloud deployments. Metering data that can be used for chargeback. This publication is for experienced users of IBM PowerVM and other virtualization solutions who want to understand and implement the next generation of enterprise virtualization management for Power Systems. Unless stated otherwise, the content of this publication refers to IBM PowerVC Version 2.0.0.
IBM Spectrum Archive Enterprise Edition V1.3.2.2: Installation and Configuration Guide
Author: Hiroyuki Miyoshi
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738460427
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 360
Book Description
This IBM® Redbooks® publication helps you with the planning, installation, and configuration of the new IBM Spectrum® Archive Enterprise Edition (EE) Version 1.3.2.2 for the IBM TS4500, IBM TS3500, IBM TS4300, and IBM TS3310 tape libraries. IBM Spectrum Archive Enterprise Edition enables the use of the LTFS for the policy management of tape as a storage tier in an IBM Spectrum Scale based environment. It also helps encourage the use of tape as a critical tier in the storage environment. This edition of this publication is the tenth edition of IBM Spectrum Archive Installation and Configuration Guide. IBM Spectrum Archive EE can run any application that is designed for disk files on a physical tape media. IBM Spectrum Archive EE supports the IBM Linear Tape-Open (LTO) Ultrium 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5 tape drives. and the IBM TS1160, TS1155, TS1150, and TS1140 tape drives. IBM Spectrum Archive EE can play a major role in reducing the cost of storage for data that does not need the access performance of primary disk. The use of IBM Spectrum Archive EE to replace disks with physical tape in tier 2 and tier 3 storage can improve data access over other storage solutions because it improves efficiency and streamlines management for files on tape. IBM Spectrum Archive EE simplifies the use of tape by making it transparent to the user and manageable by the administrator under a single infrastructure. This publication is intended for anyone who wants to understand more about IBM Spectrum Archive EE planning and implementation. This book is suitable for IBM customers, IBM Business Partners, IBM specialist sales representatives, and technical specialists.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738460427
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 360
Book Description
This IBM® Redbooks® publication helps you with the planning, installation, and configuration of the new IBM Spectrum® Archive Enterprise Edition (EE) Version 1.3.2.2 for the IBM TS4500, IBM TS3500, IBM TS4300, and IBM TS3310 tape libraries. IBM Spectrum Archive Enterprise Edition enables the use of the LTFS for the policy management of tape as a storage tier in an IBM Spectrum Scale based environment. It also helps encourage the use of tape as a critical tier in the storage environment. This edition of this publication is the tenth edition of IBM Spectrum Archive Installation and Configuration Guide. IBM Spectrum Archive EE can run any application that is designed for disk files on a physical tape media. IBM Spectrum Archive EE supports the IBM Linear Tape-Open (LTO) Ultrium 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5 tape drives. and the IBM TS1160, TS1155, TS1150, and TS1140 tape drives. IBM Spectrum Archive EE can play a major role in reducing the cost of storage for data that does not need the access performance of primary disk. The use of IBM Spectrum Archive EE to replace disks with physical tape in tier 2 and tier 3 storage can improve data access over other storage solutions because it improves efficiency and streamlines management for files on tape. IBM Spectrum Archive EE simplifies the use of tape by making it transparent to the user and manageable by the administrator under a single infrastructure. This publication is intended for anyone who wants to understand more about IBM Spectrum Archive EE planning and implementation. This book is suitable for IBM customers, IBM Business Partners, IBM specialist sales representatives, and technical specialists.
IBM Cloud Object Storage System Product Guide
Author: Vasfi Gucer
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738460133
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 214
Book Description
Object storage is the primary storage solution that is used in the cloud and on-premises solutions as a central storage platform for unstructured data. IBM Cloud Object Storage is a software-defined storage (SDS) platform that breaks down barriers for storing massive amounts of data by optimizing the placement of data on commodity x86 servers across the enterprise. This IBM Redbooks® publication describes the major features, use case scenarios, deployment options, configuration details, initial customization, performance, and scalability considerations of IBM Cloud Object Storage on-premises offering. For more information about the IBM Cloud Object Storage architecture and technology that is behind the product, see IBM Cloud Object Storage Concepts and Architecture , REDP-5537. The target audience for this publication is IBM Cloud Object Storage IT specialists and storage administrators.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738460133
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 214
Book Description
Object storage is the primary storage solution that is used in the cloud and on-premises solutions as a central storage platform for unstructured data. IBM Cloud Object Storage is a software-defined storage (SDS) platform that breaks down barriers for storing massive amounts of data by optimizing the placement of data on commodity x86 servers across the enterprise. This IBM Redbooks® publication describes the major features, use case scenarios, deployment options, configuration details, initial customization, performance, and scalability considerations of IBM Cloud Object Storage on-premises offering. For more information about the IBM Cloud Object Storage architecture and technology that is behind the product, see IBM Cloud Object Storage Concepts and Architecture , REDP-5537. The target audience for this publication is IBM Cloud Object Storage IT specialists and storage administrators.
Real World Instrumentation with Python
Author: John M. Hughes
Publisher: "O'Reilly Media, Inc."
ISBN: 1449396631
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 623
Book Description
Learn how to develop your own applications to monitor or control instrumentation hardware. Whether you need to acquire data from a device or automate its functions, this practical book shows you how to use Python's rapid development capabilities to build interfaces that include everything from software to wiring. You get step-by-step instructions, clear examples, and hands-on tips for interfacing a PC to a variety of devices. Use the book's hardware survey to identify the interface type for your particular device, and then follow detailed examples to develop an interface with Python and C. Organized by interface type, data processing activities, and user interface implementations, this book is for anyone who works with instrumentation, robotics, data acquisition, or process control. Understand how to define the scope of an application and determine the algorithms necessary, and why it's important Learn how to use industry-standard interfaces such as RS-232, RS-485, and GPIB Create low-level extension modules in C to interface Python with a variety of hardware and test instruments Explore the console, curses, TkInter, and wxPython for graphical and text-based user interfaces Use open source software tools and libraries to reduce costs and avoid implementing functionality from scratch
Publisher: "O'Reilly Media, Inc."
ISBN: 1449396631
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 623
Book Description
Learn how to develop your own applications to monitor or control instrumentation hardware. Whether you need to acquire data from a device or automate its functions, this practical book shows you how to use Python's rapid development capabilities to build interfaces that include everything from software to wiring. You get step-by-step instructions, clear examples, and hands-on tips for interfacing a PC to a variety of devices. Use the book's hardware survey to identify the interface type for your particular device, and then follow detailed examples to develop an interface with Python and C. Organized by interface type, data processing activities, and user interface implementations, this book is for anyone who works with instrumentation, robotics, data acquisition, or process control. Understand how to define the scope of an application and determine the algorithms necessary, and why it's important Learn how to use industry-standard interfaces such as RS-232, RS-485, and GPIB Create low-level extension modules in C to interface Python with a variety of hardware and test instruments Explore the console, curses, TkInter, and wxPython for graphical and text-based user interfaces Use open source software tools and libraries to reduce costs and avoid implementing functionality from scratch